Fred Cepala last month was elected chairman of Solon Township’s citizens group charged with working alongside the township Planning Commission to write regulations for commercial wind turbines.

Cepala was elected chairman of the seven-member group during its organizational meeting July 25, township Clerk Shirley Mikowski reported.

Other appointed committee members are Pat Wicksall, BJ Christensen, Gerald Siegreen, Anne Leonardi, Tamara Broad and Joel Muller.

More than 65 people crowded the Cedar fire fall in April when the Township Board was scheduled to consider adoption of a zoning amendment that would allow large wind energy systems as a special use in the township.

More than half of the 18 people to speak at the April meeting were opposed to the zoning amendment. The 10-page document recommended by township planners would allow commercial wind systems as a special use in the Residential/ Agricultural and Agricultural zoning districts. As presented the use would require a 10-acre minimum per tower. But the bulk of those opposed at the time said that 10 acres is too small to allow a commercial turbine.

The ordinance was tabled, and the citizens group formed to draft a rewrite.

The next meeting is set for 7 p.m., Sept. 5 at the Cedar fire hall.