FAIRBURY, NE — The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Committee now has its full list of recommendations for the county commissioners on wind farm regulations.

The board held another meeting Thursday night. They've been tasked with reviewing and taking public input on regulations for potential wind energy projects.

Last night, the board voted to set a one-mile setback from schools, churches, incorporated towns and state-owned recreation areas. This is not addressed in the current regulations and was added by the county commissioners for the planning and zoning committee's consideration.

Previously only participating and non-participating landowners as well as right of ways from highways, roads and railroads had specific setback limits concerning wind turbines.

They also made minor adjustments to the decommissioning requirements, notably shifting some decision making from the zoning administrator to the county board on the time table to remove a wind turbine once its use is discontinued or the wind farm is decommissioned.

Next up is a public hearing on the new proposed regulations. That will be in March 9. The committee will only hear comment on the new proposed regulations voted on at Thursday night's meeting and the one two weeks ago.

No public comment was taken Thursday night. One man did ask to address the committee, "on behalf of 400 people in Plymouth," during the meeting, but was denied by chairman Randy Welsch. The committee has heard hours-worth of public comments at previous meetings on the subject.

The county commissioners have the final say on what proposed regulations become concrete.

No matter the decision, the existing Steele Flats Wind Farm has been grandfathered in to adhere to the regulations in place when it was constructed. A moratorium on permit applications for any future wind farms in Jefferson County remains in place until April 1.