HUTCHINSON, Kan. — While the Reno County planning commission is still awaiting the application for a special use permit, a tentative date has been set to place the controversial proposal on its agenda.

According to county officials, the date is April 4, assuming NextEra files an application by Friday.

The planning commission needs time to study the proposal and send notifications to those who will be affected by the proposed wind farm.

Meanwhile, there is a proposal to have overlay zoning in the county limited to certain industrial projects in unzoned areas of the county. Even though it is before the planning commission, Commission Chair Bob Bush says it may not happen because many in those areas don’t want any kind of zoning:

 

County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan says NextEra Energy will abide by the zoning regulations even within the unzoned areas. For any other proposals that might come along in unzoned areas of the county, the commission has options:

 

The issue of overlay zoning is still in the study phase and may not be discussed until summer.