EUREKA - An ordinance that will allow 150-foot wind towers on two acres in residential districts will be on the agenda when the Woodford County Board meets Aug. 19.

The Small Wind Energy Systems ordinance joins the agenda with Navitas Energy's proposal for 40 large wind towers in the El Paso area.

The Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved the ordinance. John Hamann, county zoning administrator, said the ordinance was in response to residents' inquiries to build their own wind towers to provide electricity.

"I personally think that this is a pretty good start," ZBA chairman Robert Harbers said. "As we've done in the past, if something's screwed up, we change it."

The ordinance was unanimously approved after the ZBA heard opposition from some residents and a member of the Germantown Hills Village Board.

Germantown Trustee David Cole said the village would like to see them restricted to an area not within 1 ½ miles of the village, or in residential districts.

"I don't think we'll see thousands of these in our area, but you are going to see some," Hamann said.

Vickie Kingdon of El Paso said wind towers are increasing the cost of production for farmers because they either won't to be able to use aerial crop sprayers or the cost will increase dramatically.

"You're taking out a circumference around each turbine," Kingdon said.

Her husband Duane said that if Asian Rust disease reaches Illinois crops, there is a short window to spray for it.

"You're taking what tools that we have and tying our hands behind our backs," Duane Kingdon said.

If the ordinance is approved by the County Board, only a permit will be required for construction. The systems are not allowed on Conservation zones and must be set back a distance equal to 110 percent of the system height from adjacent property and 150 percent from any adjoining inhabited structure.

The proposed permit fee is $200 and can be transferred if the property is sold.