Published: February 04, 2009 08:35 pm      

Steering committee to examine proposed ridgeline protection ordinance for Va.

TAZEWELL, Va. — The fate of a controversial wind turbine project for Tazewell County is still up in the air.

A newly created steering committee will now mull over a proposed ridgeline protection ordinance. The ordinance — if adopted by the Board of Supervisors — would regulate the development of tall structures along certain protected mountain ridges, including East River Mountain and Burke’s Garden. The ordinance is expected to be discussed again by the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 and the Planning Commission on Feb. 12, David Anderson, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said.

“I will bring it up at every meeting — where we stand, where we are going and what we are going to do,” Anderson said. “There has to be some type of regulation, and some type of accountability for that type of structure or development in Tazewell County. I think the key part about it is getting a ridgeline ordinance that will appease or please the majority of the people in the county.”

Anderson also confirmed Wednesday that Dominion and BP Wind Energy North America — the two companies that are proposing to develop windmills in the region — have scheduled two public information meetings in Bluefield, Va., and Tazewell.

Anderson said the companies will hold a public information meeting on Feb. 19 at Tazewell High School from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Feb. 24 at Graham High School from 3 to 6 p.m.

“They are doing it because all of the citizens have a lot of questions about windmills,” Anderson said. “We’ve heard it all — birds, bats and drainage. There are a lot of concerns out there.”

A large crowd braved Tuesday night’s snowstorm to speak at a public hearing on the proposed ridgeline protection ordinance. More than 80 people spoke at the hearing — many against the windmills and many in favor of the windmills.

Tuesday night’s meeting ended around 11:15 p.m. Near the conclusion of the meeting, members of the county’s planning commission made a motion to appoint a steering committee composed of two Board of Supervisors members and two Planning Commission members. The Board of Supervisors concurred with the Planning Commission request. The steering committee members will be determined at the Feb. 11 Board of Supervisors meeting. That meeting is scheduled to start at 3 p.m., but is expected to begin with a closed-door executive session before the actual public session begins.

Anderson said the citizens who braved Tuesday’s snowstorm to speak at the public hearing are to be commended for their efforts.

“It just shows the fortitude and integrity of the people of Tazewell County,” Anderson said. “Everyone behaved in a very professional manner. Everyone was courteous.”

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com