Is DeWitt County anti-development?

It's a question posed by a former DeWitt County Board member who says recent action by the Board might be turning off future developers. Lance Reece last Thursday night at the DeWitt County Board meeting pointed out recent appointments to boards like the Regional Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals are "self-proclaimed anti-wind proponents."

Reece questioned the micro-management of the upcoming wind project and questions that were directed to Terry Fountain during an hour-long discussion regarding the latest on the development of the Alta Farms II wind project which started earlier this month.

But board members pushed back on Reece's accusations. After discussing possible opposition to solar, Dan Matthews pushed back and Melonie Tilley asked Reece to be cut off.

Board Chair Terry Ferguson says Reece's opinion the County is anti-development is just that, his opinion. He believes the contentiousness of wind is everywhere but predicts solar could be accommodated.

Board Chair Terry Ferguson and former Board Chair Dave Newberg shared some contentious words regarding reviewing the solar ordinances with a potential solar farm on the horizon. We'll have more on that exchange later this week on Regional Radio News.