11/25/2008
APRIL MIDDLETON
The Saline County Commission on Tuesday cleared the way for commercial wind farms to operate within the county.
Vicki Koepsel, director of Saline County Planning and Zoning, said no company has submitted an application for such an operation, but she has received calls inquiring about the county’s regulations.
“I know people are looking and people are scouting the state,” Koepsel said.
Kansas is ranked third in the nation in wind potential.
The commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution adopting an amendment to the county code that will lay out rules and regulations for wind farms that would produce energy for sale. The county code already allows for private wind facilities.
Following a public hearing on the issue in November, the county board of planning and zoning voted 7-0 to recommend that the commission approve the amendment.
Commercial operations will be allowed only in the county’s agricultural zoning district. Such operations will require a conditional-use permit and a zoning compliance certificate from the county and a building permit from the city.


Read more about the county commission meeting in Wednesday's Salina Journal.