HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A hearing is set for Monday morning in the legal fight involving Pretty Prairie Wind and landowners in opposition to the proposed wind farm in southern Reno County.

Pretty Prairie Wind and NextEra Energy are challenging the validity of signatures gathered on protest petitions. That forced county commissioners to have the unanimous approval of a conditional use permit for the project. The vote ended up 2-1.

Reno County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan says the legality of the petitions won’t be heard in court Monday. Instead, Judge Tim Chambers will hear arguments from a group of citizens who want to intervene in support of the landowners.

Which way that decision goes could have an effect on Pretty Prairie Wind’s next legal option. The option is a filing by Pretty Prairie Wind for a summary judgment with the court to simply declare the protest petitions invalid. That in turn, would remove the unanimous vote of the County Commission and the permit would be granted. If that were to happen O’Sullivan sees that decision going all the way to the Supreme Court.

The hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse.