Buchanan Board of Supervisors to Consider Anti-Property Right Restrictions on Farmers

The County Board of Supervisors met on April 8 and reviewed changes to the county’s wind ordinance that, if passed, would infringe on the private property rights of county residents, especially farmers.

To allow themselves time to review the changes, Supervisors extended the county’s wind energy moratorium for another year, until May, 2025.

Action on the proposed changes could begin at any time. The Supervisors will hold at least 3 public hearings, at which time the public can comment.

We believe we can protect the property rights of farmers who voluntarily decide to lease part of their land to wind energy, while having common-sense requirements that respect the needs of neighboring landowners.   

The changes proposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) go too far. No one is protected if the local government can strip people of their property rights in the name of “community property.”

Here’s What You Can Do:

1.

Get informed – see the information on this page

2.

Send a message to your Supervisors and tell them to protect property rights. Take Action

3.

If you’ve already written to the Supervisors, copy and share this link with friends and family and ask them to do the same: https://bit.ly/3JhwMJe

4.

Attend a hearing to show support or speak out in favor or property rights.

Sign Up for Supervisor Hearing Alerts

5.

Share information on your Facebook page.

Start by sharing this video of farmer Ranor Hoffman.

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How are the proposed changes infringing on property rights?

1.

The ordinance changes boldly assert the right of the community over individual private property landowners, setting a bad precedent for government overreach in other areas.

2.

The changes go beyond reasonable regulations that are working in other Iowa communities.

3.

The purpose of the proposed changes is to effectively ban wind energy, removing the option for private landowners who see wind energy as a needed source of income – preventing farmers from using their OWN land to support their families.

Our Property Rights are Being Surrendered by Anti-Wind NIMBY Activists

Buchanan County already has a common-sense wind ordinance that preserves our property rights while addressing concerns about wind energy.

The P&Z changes are pushed by anti-wind NIMBY activists who are willing to weaken everyone’s property rights in a desperate attempt to stop wind power.

Farmers are the best stewards of their own land – not government bureaucrats.

Here’s what Buchanan Farmers have to say about the P&Z intrusion on property rights:

Property rights are something that belong to me and every other landowner. Our zoning laws and this future wind ordinance exist to set the framework for what can be done on property, BUT setting some type of precedent that a community has a right over property we own is completely counter to everything we believe.
Dawnye Sturtz
farmer
The Buchanan County P&Z committee has made ordinances that are both ridiculous and arbitrary to prevent farm owners from ever being able to construct wind turbines on their properties. They feel they are following the wishes of “the community.” There is no consideration to the farmers in the county.
Brad Lichty
Farmer

Lifelong Iowa farmer Ranor Hoffman on Iowa’s tradition of respecting property rights and our farmers.

Iowans support property rights

No Data Found

64% agree

farmers should not be told by the government what to do with their land and can develop renewable energy projects if they choose.

No Data Found

When Farmers Lease Land to Wind (or Solar) Everyone in the County Benefits

Renewables are improving lives in Iowa

Private Investment

$23 billion invested in Iowa from wind, solar and battery storage.

Money for Schools, Roads, First Responders

$58.8 million in property, state and local taxes paid in 2022 by clean energy.

Jobs

8,961 jobs supported on average from wind energy investment and construction.

3,238 jobs supported each year through 2025 from solar investment and construction.

Support for Farmers

$70.2 million in land lease payments to Iowa landowners in 2022.

Speak up for Property Rights! Tell your elected county supervisors to vote no on the P&Z’s anti-property rights proposal!

Before You Go

Speak up for Property Rights! Tell your elected county supervisors to vote no on the P&Z’s anti-property rights proposal!

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