Hearing set for 1041 regulations

The first phase of a land-use review process that will expand county oversight of major construction projects is scheduled for a hearing with the Larimer County Commissioners on Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m., in the first-floor hearing room at the courthouse.

The first phase of 1041 powers, named for the legislation that created them, would give the county greater authority to regulate electric generating plants and transmission lines. The planning commission has recommended approval of the draft regulation, but requested more discussion of setbacks and changes to existing transmission lines.

Principal Planner Jill Bennett said the staff report with additional information will be posted on the county web site www.larimer.org the week of Oct. 6.

At the planning commission hearing, Margaret Beer said she believed the draft regulations had inadequate setbacks for wind turbines, referring to the industrial wind farm Colorado State University wants to build on the Maxwell Ranch in northern Larimer County.

"Wind farms of this scope are not benign," Beer said.

She also expressed concern about turbine noise and strobe effects from the blades. CSU will be submitting its application for the wind farm to the county after the 1041 regulations are adopted.

The 1041 regulations do not affect mining applications, which apply under a county land-use process called special review.