Planning commission addresses conflict-of-interest allegations, discusses changes to proposed code

POMEROY-The Garfield County Planning Commission addressed conflict-of-interest allegations and discussed changes made to the revised alternative energy code at their meeting on Jan. 8.

Commission chairwoman Wendi Watson, responding to allegations of conflict of interest, said she wants to be transparent and stated that she has family members who have signed leases with wind energy companies. She also stated that she has no personal profit arising from the proposed wind turbine projects.

Changes to the revised code include a tiered setback criteria, decommissioning to four feet or until bedrock is encountered, and a clause stating that the Ag zone is the only zone where conditional-use permits are permissible. The revised code will be placed on Garfield County’s website.

Public comment received at the meeting stated concern that public focus may be drifting from the wind and solar code to arguing over the commission members’ qualifications and interests, requests for the public to maintain level heads and consider all angles of the issue, concern over setback decisions, and concern over noise caused by the windmills.

In further business, the commission decided to place signing its bylaws at the top of the agenda for its next meeting, which will be held Jan. 22, time and place to be announced.