The zoning, my friend, is blowin' in the wind for the Natrona County Commission.

The five commissioners will conduct public hearings at its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. today to take comments and vote whether to allow domestic wind generators in commercial zoning districts.

"We've got a lot of applications to set up wind generators," County Attorney Eric Nelson said Monday.

But the current zoning regulations prohibit those generators for people who live in areas such as the B.B. Brooks Ranch development north of Casper, Nelson said.

"This (change) would allow conditional use," he said. "It would still need a permit."

Wind technology may be the only option for people who are off the electric grid and cannot afford the money required to run a line to their residences. Wind energy also may offer a way for people to go green.

The technology also has run ahead of the county regulations related to commercial wind farms, he said.

Today, the commission will conduct a public hearing about T. Shaun Sutherland's request for a conditional use permit to approve the erection of a 99-foot tower with an anemometer near his residence at 6377 Garden Creek Road, according to the agenda for today's meeting.

While wind-generated power generates warm, green feelings, it can generate ire, too, Nelson said.

"It's somewhat divisive," he said.

Some neighbors have objected.

For example, Barry and Claire Venn wrote the tower is an eyesore and will decrease property values, it has obstructed their view of the mountain, it will lead to the construction of a wind turbine further obstructing views, it poses a hazard to birds and other wildlife, it was erected without the neighbors' awareness, and it could lead to more towers.

Other neighbors haven't objected.

Naomi Burgess wrote neighbors should not be able to dictate to other neighbors about how to use their property.

Commissioners will also conduct a public hearing and vote on allowing commercial recreation in certain zoning districts - such as the proposed indoor shooting range in the building formerly known as the Cowboys Saloon - which underscored a regulatory conundrum, Nelson said.

Current regulations define commercial recreation, but don't allow it, he said. "Which makes no sense."

Reach Tom Morton at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@trib.com.

To attend

The Natrona County Commission will hold public hearings in conjunction with its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at the County Annex, 120 W. First St. An agenda for the meeting can be found at http://natrona.net.