Cleveland Township planners turned their attention to a long-awaited "wind energy systems" zoning ordinance amendment last week in the absence of any additional requests from the owner of Sugar Loaf Resort.

Planning commission chairman Tim Ewing reported that a petition calling for a township-wide vote on new “planned unit development” (PUD) language in the zoning ordinance had not been completed in time to meet a state-mandated deadline. The new PUD language was drafted to allow Sugar Loaf Resort owner Kate Wickstrom to seek approval of her plans to redevelop Sugar Loaf in phases rather than all at once.

But former planning commission chairman and township activist Charles J. Ryant Jr. had objected to some of the language in the draft and began circulating a petition that would have required a township-wide vote on the issue. Because he failed to acquire the required number of signatures, however, the effort only had the effect of delaying adoption of the amendment.

“As far as we know, the PUD amendment has been adopted now and Kate (Wickstrom) should now be submitting her plans for redeveloping Sugar Loaf,” said planning commission secretary Brian Price.

As of earlier his week, however, no application for review and approval of plans for Sugar Loaf had been received by the Cleveland Township Planning Commission.

Instead, planners worked on a redraft of a zoning ordinance amendment that will outline requirements for windmills that generate electricity for household use. The commission has been working on the proposed amendment for more than a year; although the draft languished as work proceeded on other issues.

Price said he was hopeful that Cleveland planners would finish work on the “wind energy systems” amendment at next month’s meeting on April 4, and recommend that the Township Board adopt the amendment.

Cleveland planners had also hoped to continue their review of proposed new zoning ordinance language outlining residential districts. But, Price said, that review may be delayed again pending completion of more pressing work.