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Brown Co adopts wind energy zoning regulation

By Greg Bebermeyer

02/20/2025

Brown County Courthouse

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission Tuesday unanimously adopted by resolution a zoning regulation that would prohibit the development of commercial wind energy projects in unincorporated areas of the county, with the exception of land within three miles of the city limits of Hiawatha, Horton and Sabetha.

The county Planning Commission had recommended adoption of the zoning regulation following a public hearing last month.

The county provided notice of its intent to adopt the zoning regulation to cities within the county and received comments from the cities of Hiawatha and Horton.

Based on the feedback, the Commission decided to exclude the three-mile area covered by the cities zoning jurisdiction from the county's zoning regulation. Sabetha had not reached out, but was still included.

The resolution states the purpose of the zoning regulation is to preserve and protect agricultural land, aesthetic values and quality of life within Brown County.

The resolution will take effect upon publication in the official county newspaper.

With adoption of the wind energy regulation, County Commission Chairman Lucas Heinen has requested the Planning Commission begin looking into regulations for industrial solar farms.

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