Carson City halts windmill law

The Carson City Board of Supervisors halted a law Thursday that would have made owning a private windmill cheaper and easier.

They declined to approve it a second time so it could take effect. They first approved it in March.

The planning commission will look at the law again before it comes back to the board.

Supervisor Shelly Aldean and several residents said the law was not fair to people in residential neighborhoods who would have to live next to windmills.

The city needs to talk more with those who want windmills and those who say windmills would ruin views, create noise and hurt property values, Aldean said.

"Prudence in this case is the better part of valor," she said.

The city currently requires a $2,200 permit application fee and planning commission approval for a windmill. Windmills are treated by the city like any other structure over 32 feet high.

City planning staff looked at a law that would make it easier to own private windmills after getting complaints. Windmill supporters said the city was violating a state law that doesn't allow local governments to unreasonably prohibit private alternative energy.

Windmills could be up to 90 feet tall or the length from base to the edge of a property under the proposed city law. Noise could be up to 50 decibels at homes and 60 decibels on other private land. One windmill would be allowed on properties under an acre. The law would put no limit on the number of windmills on land over an acre.

But District Attorney Neil Rombardo said the city's current law doesn't violate any state or federal law.

"I think that provides enough protection for the board," he said. "It's reasonable and it's never been determined unreasonable."

Several residents from the Lakeview subdivision denounced the proposed law.

Marty Schwedhelm of Lakeview said he supports renewable energy but wants to protect his community.

Windmills shouldn't be allowed in residential areas without more consideration for neighbors, he said.

"Another person's rights stop at my face or my property line," he said.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.