Alternative Energy
Windmill Ban Proposed for Missoula
Seeking to take another contentious issue out of the zoning rewrite process, the city Planning Board has recommended a ban on backyard windmills.By Travis Koch, 8-19-09
A diagram of a wind energy conversion system (WECS) taken from the zoning ordinance update.
The Missoula City Council will likely pass a ban on wind energy conversion systems – aka windmills in your backyard.
The ban would be part of the zoning ordinance update, which is being reviewed by the Plat, Annexation and Zoning committee.
An earlier draft of the zoning ordinance update contained detailed standards for small windmills that could be installed on residential lots to provide supplemental energy. Now the Planning Board is recommending that the installation of windmills be disallowed until further research and discussion can take place.
Mike Barton, senior planner at the Office of Planning and Grants (OPG), said that there has been no push by Missoula residents to build windmills, and much opposition to the idea. “The idea of wind systems was demonized right out of the gate. We decided to take it off the agenda for now, and if the City Council sees a particular urgency later on, they can deal with it then.” (To see what an urban wind turbine looks like, check out this one in San Francisco.)
Missoula is not opposed to alternative energy systems, said Barton. “The actual message is not ‘no wind systems.’ It’s no wind systems right now, and possibly wind systems when we can take the time to figure out the best way to do it.”
In light of the substantial zoning update project currently underway, he said now doesn’t seem to be the best time or context to take up those questions, which include height, noise, distance from property lines, and liability.
“This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the community, but it should be addressed separately,” said Barton. “Until then, wind energy systems should be prohibited.”
The existing zoning ordinance doesn’t address windmills at all, which OPG director Roger Millar said is not an ideal situation. If wind energy systems are not addressed—either regulated or prohibited—in the update, said Millar, the City Council will end up developing ad hoc regulations based on specific project proposals that come before them.
“We’re not closing the door on wind energy systems,” said Barton. “We’re just deferring the discussion until there’s a desire by the public to start installing them.”
Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.
Comments
Add your comment below
Wait! This article is a spoof isn't it? This is Missoula's way of poking fun at government in Idaho isn't it? I get it. Ha, ha!
Definitely making fun of Idaho.
“We’re just deferring the discussion until there’s a desire by the public to start installing them.” See also: copping out.
Sheesh!
I feel bad for you sucker Missoulians your getting played some of you without even knowing it.
Lets take away your choice because we think you don't want it yet?
WTF?
OK, we are going to take away your right to air, until we think you really want it. If this was oil you can bet your A$$E$ they would be FORCING it on you, not telling you we'll revisit when you show some interest.
Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your rights!
WE THE PEOPLE!!
Get real Mr. Barton trying regulate what you have no clue about - it is a monumental waste of your time! The technology is changing so fast that some "windmills" don't even fit the current paradigm!!!!! they have no towers or appreciable noise level!!!!
But if the people of Missoula elected these people - they have no one to blame but themselves! Next time send these instant experts looking for a real job - maybe even installing alternate energy systems (if thats not too much work or thought)!