By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A Geary County judge declined to hear arguments last week on a petition seeking a restraining order to prevent construction of a wind farm in the southern portion of the county.

Opponents of the wind farm filed a lawsuit last month seeking to block construction from beginning on Expedition Wind Farm, being developed by National Renewable Solutions. The company last year purchased a wind farm development begun around 2010.

District judge Steven Hornbaker on Friday told wind farm opponents they had until Wednesday to file any further motions with the court and said he will issue a memorandum decision in about 10 days.

The wind farm company, county commissioners, and the county clerk are defendants in the lawsuit.

Commissioner Dianne Novak, who the plaintiffs contend has “publicly admitted she agrees with the plaintiffs’ claims,” attended Friday’s hearing.

The plaintiffs contend commissioners failed to give proper notice of a 2016 change of zoning regulations and the plaintiffs expect she will testify in the lawsuit. Novak said she has not been asked or subpoenaed to testify.

The project, which would include 70 to 95 turbines, was approved by the county planning and zoning board last week. It now goes to the county commission for consideration.