Land owners who object to the location of the state’s first utility-sized wind park in northern Arizona have filed a lawsuit to prevent construction.

Early this year, Coconino County planners approved a conditional use permit for a proposed wind farm on land leased from the Hopi Tribe and a handful of private landowners about 35 miles east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40. The plan includes 40 windmills, which would be placed on both sides of the interstate.

The plan is opposed by owners of the Red Gap Ranch, who argue that the turbines would devalue the surrounding property because the 400-foot-tall windmills would interfere with the view of the San Francisco Peaks.

The ranch is the site of a future housing development that previously had been on the market to the city of Flagstaff for its water rights.

In their lawsuit, an attorney for the owners claims that the county didn’t follow proper procedures in approving a conditional use permit to erect wind turbines when the supervisors voted to allow the wind park April 5.

Specifically, the owners claim the county didn’t conduct required hearings before approving the wind park. Their attorney asks the county to void the permit.

Red Gap Ranch also asks that the case be moved to Maricopa County to avoid a conflict of interest.

In approving the project, planning and zoning commissioners said Sunshine Wind Energy Park will have benefits, such as research partnerships with Northern Arizona University, production of clean, renewable energy and economic impact on the local job market that will far outweigh concerns over the view. —

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