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February 25, 2012 1 Volume 6 1 No. 4 Zoning Bulletin <br />Zoning News from Around the Nation <br />MAINE <br />A civil lawsuit has been filed by landowners against the Town of <br />Frankfort, challenging a town ordinance that bans wind turbines. The <br />landowners argue that the wind ordinance is an illegal land use regula- <br />tion that acts as a "regulatory taking" of their property in violation of <br />the constitutions of Maine and the United States. <br />Source: Bangor Daily News; http:llbangordailynews. corn <br />SOUTH CAROLINA <br />The Charleston City Council moved to place a six -month moratorium <br />on approving zoning, permitting, and licensing for any new Internet ca- <br />fes or arcades. The moratorium is reportedly "designed to give the city <br />time to explore the rise of gaming businesses where patrons can use a <br />personal computer to log on and play video games that resemble elec- <br />tronic slot machines regularly featured at full -scale casinos." Reportedly, <br />State Representative Phyllis Henderson (Republican- Greenville) has also <br />"offered a bill" "designed to outlaw the use of casino -type video games <br />in sweepstakes scenarios." <br />Source: The Post and Courier; www.postandcourier.com <br />WEST VIRGINIA <br />The City of Morgantown is looking to limit, through zoning, hydrau- <br />lic fracturing. Morgantown had banned hydraulic fracturing but a coun- <br />ty circuit court overturned the ban, "ruling that regulation of oil and gas <br />activity lies in the purview of the state." "As an alternate approach to a <br />ban," Morgantown is now looking to "zoning as a means of limiting the <br />activity to certain areas." <br />Source: The State Journal; www statejournal.com <br />WISCONSIN <br />State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (Democrat -Alma) recently intro- <br />duced two bills "designed to give local officials more power over silica <br />mines and residents more warning before they are approved." Report- <br />edly, one bill "would make frac sand mining a conditional use in land <br />zoned agricultural and prohibit it in residential zones." The other bill <br />"would require local governments to give 30 -day notices of a public <br />hearing and send letters to residents within a mile of a proposed mine." <br />Source: LaCrosse Tribune; http:lllacrossetribune.com <br />12 © 2012 Thomson Reuters <br />