Support Riga’s Wind Ordinance by Voting YES on November 8, 2011.
Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition, Inc.
101 East Adrian Street, Blissfield, MI, 49228
interstateinformedcitizens@gmail.com
www.iiccusa.org
September 2, 2011Dear Resident,
As you may be aware, pro-wind leaseholders and wind developers have successfully petitioned to have Riga’s industrial wind turbine zoning ordinance amendment placed on the November 8, 2011 ballot. This does not come as a surprise, as only 79 signatures were required to place the matter on the ballot.
In order to preserve our safe, peaceful, rural way of life, it is imperative that all Riga citizens show their support for the industrial wind turbine zoning amendment that was unanimously passed by the Riga Township Board on July 6, 2011.
VOTE YES ON NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Although it is not perfect, this zoning ordinance amendment provides significant protections for the citizens of Riga Township from the dangers of irresponsibly sited industrial wind turbines. In its current form, the industrial wind turbine zoning ordinance amendment requires that turbines be placed at least four (4) times the height of the turbine from the property line of a non-participating parcel of land. If the wind developers were to construct the Vestas V-100 turbines that have been proposed, this would require a setback of approximately 1,900 feet.
Critics of the industrial wind turbine zoning amendment claim that it is “exclusionary.” This claim simply lacks merit. A provision in the zoning amendment allows individual landowners to waive the setbacks and noise restrictions, if they so choose. It is contemplated that landowners who choose to waive those setbacks would receive some amount of financial compensation. Thus, the zoning amendment requires the industrial wind developers to actually compensate area residents for the potentially negative impacts they would create.
It is important to understand that, no matter how the citizens of Riga Township may feel about industrial wind turbines, Michigan law does not permit the citizens of a township to completely ban industrial wind turbines. However, they are permitted to create regulations concerning the placement and operations of industrial wind turbines in their township, as the Riga Township Board did on July 6, 2011.
Please show your support of the protections provided by the Riga Township industrial wind turbine zoning amendment by voting “YES” on November 8, 2011.
Sincerely,
Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition, Inc.
If you are not yet registered to vote, please take this opportunity to do so. Click Below to register to vote in the State of Michigan and to easily find your voting location. If you are unsure if you are registered, the link below will tell you that as well.
