CLINTON — County board members heard last week a few brief comments from residents in the aftermath of the July 14 board vote to approve a special use permit for the Alta Farms II wind energy project.  Comments came during the board’s July 23 regular meeting.

Local resident Jeff Bowling said he was disappointed with what he felt was the low attendance of the July 14 meeting by the public.  Approximately 200-250 residents attended the meeting.

Bowling criticized particularly the six board members who voted in favor of the permit for making their decision based on transcripts of the zoning board of appeals (ZBA) hearings on the permit.

“I think that is, to put it kindly, very misguided,” Bowling told board members.

Area residents who oppose the wind project have criticized board members for not attending more of the hearings in person.

Bowling suggested attending hearings in person who have allowed board members to see body language of those who testified and others.

“So, you get a different perspective on things,” Bowling said.

When board members vote on decisions that come to them from the ZBA, they are prohibited from considering any information that was not given in evidence during ZBA hearings.  This is one reason for their use of transcripts. 

• See the complete story in the Friday, 7/31 print edition of the Clinton Journal or right now on the Journal's E-Edition for subscribers.