Mayo, Peoria Boards Recommend Wind Farm Denials

The Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-2 to recommend denying Repsol Renewables’ proposed Four Creeks Wind Project, which could include 113 turbines and generate up to 663 megawatts in northwestern Peoria County. After 15 days of hearings, the board found the proposal failed to meet several county zoning criteria, including requirements related to sound, impacts on nearby properties, traffic, and consistency with the county’s comprehensive plan. Supporters cited renewable energy production and potential tax revenue, while opponents raised concerns about noise, wildlife, property values, infrastructure, and effects on the rural landscape and local businesses. The recommendation is not a final decision: the full Peoria County Board is scheduled to consider the application on Nov. 5, and the zoning board also forwarded possible approval conditions.