COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Representatives from a local citizens group who are opposed to the siting of proposed wind turbines by DTE Energy in the northwestern part of Branch County asked the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session on Thursday to update the county’s Master Plan and to pursue a moratorium on special use permits.
Pam Reed from Concerned Citizens of Branch County said DTE Energy was trying to take advantage of no zoning in Union Township and pointed out the Branch County Master Plan has not been updated since 1997.
Marilyn Johnson of Union Township urged Commissioners to educate themselves on both sides of the wind issue. She said DTE Energy was running Union Township government right now and that it was a sad state of affairs.
Each Commissioner was given a packet of information that was put together by the group.
Concerned Citizens of Branch County have approached county officials for help in recent months after a proposal to have the Union Township Board form a Planning Commission failed at the ballot box last November 268-243.
Planner Patrick Hudson from the South Central Michigan Planning Council said during the Branch County Planning Commission meeting last December that the location of the Branch County Memorial Airport is a critical issue since 500 foot tall wind turbines would not be allowed to be within four miles of the airport under current laws.
