SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Planning Commission will discuss and take possible action on a request to zone a five mile radius around the old naval air base in Yoder during their next meeting set for June 15.
The issue started when a representative of the Sunflower Gliderport at the air base asked the Reno County Commission for the zoning change to control potential development of wind farms in the region
or other tall structures in the area.
The organization feels that such tall structures would create dangerous optical and eliminate an emergency safe landing zone for glider pilots
The rezoning would ensure the county be notified prior to any restricted activity, such as windmill construction being started. And it will permit the affected neighbors to have a public hearing to express their desires, although it would not completely eliminate the possibility of something being built in the area.
The area, which is not zones at this time, would still need approval from the commissioners and then the matter would go back to the zoning department to put all of the legal issues together before holding a public hearing then getting final approval.
Planning Director Mark Vonachen says the entire process could take up to six months to complete.