By Kate Hessling
Tribune Staff Writer

BAD AXE — A public hearing is tentatively set for later this month to garner input on proposed boundaries for two new wind overlay districts, following action by the Huron County Planning Commission Wednesday.

The first district is for a joint application submitted by Heritage Sustainable Energy and DTE Energy for a project located in Rubicon, Sigel and Bloomfield townships.

Rick Wilson, of Heritage Sustainable Energy, said the development will be between 60 and 80 megawatts. The total number of turbines that could easily fit within this district would be between 30 and 40, he said.

Wilson stressed that this project only is in the preliminary phases, and the total megawatts/number of turbines may change as this project moves forward.

The proposed district, which Huron County Building and Zoning Director Russ Lundberg said is dubbed the “Heritage/DTE Harbor Beach Overlay District,” would be located on the westerly one-half section of Section 19, and all of sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 in Rubicon Township .

The southern portion of the Harbor Beach Overlay District would be located in the easterly portion of Sigel Township , primarily in sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Within this district, Heritage has leases with landowners and DTE has easements with landowners. The majority of those leases/easements are located in Bloomfield Township . Portions of that township that would be included in the proposed district generally include sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 35 and 36.

The second proposed overlay district — dubbed the DTE Overlay District #1 — is located in the southeasterly corner of McKinley Township, in the southeast quarter of Section 14 and all of sections 23, 24, 25 and 26.

DTE Energy officials explained this is a small project that will be between roughly 15 and 20 megawatts. If the project uses 2-megawatt turbines, it will be composed of between seven to 10 turbines, or it will be composed of between six to eight turbines if it uses of 2.5-megawatt turbines, said Grady Nance , of DTE Energy.

He said the project could possibly be expanded in the future, as DTE Energy plans to speak with a third party that currently has leases in that area after the boundaries of the wind overlay district are established.

Lundberg said all property owners within the boundaries of the two proposed districts will receive notification and have an opportunity to speak at the public hearing, which has been tentatively set for May 25 at the Huron County Expo Center .

Web link: http://www.michigansthumb.com/articles/2010/05/06/news/local_news/doc4be2aab9a6865258427605.txt