Windmills will soon be on the landscape for Spanish Fork residents, some of whom are pleased about it, and others who are not.

Robert Ward, who lives in Covered Ridge Canyon, was the loudest opponent to the windmill farm in Spanish Fork, questioning the effects on the city if the parent company had financial problems or if there were accidents with the turbines.

"I doubt it'll be the landowner (taking care of the problem)," he said. "I doubt it'll be the company. I bet it'll be the taxpayers."

Many residents voiced opinion on the proposed wind farm at Tuesday's public hearing. The City Council voted unanimously to amend the zoning laws to allow wind turbines to be built on two sites in Spanish Fork, the first of which is north of Highway 6 on 3400 East.

Ward also addressed the effects of the turbines on the scenery surrounding the community.

"There's some things we hold in trust," he said, adding he considered the beauty of the mountains a natural resource as valuable as the wind being harvested.

Kip Rasmussen said he was not necessarily opposed, but he did not want to see the windmills from his window.

"That's why we bought where we did, so we could look out on something nice," he said.

Not all residents found the turbines an unwelcome development. Steve Aldana said he thought they were a good addition to the scenery, giving Spanish Fork a progressive, environmentally friendly look.

Councilman Seth Sorensen, who lives in the neighborhood, also said he appreciated the addition.

"I think it's a worthwhile project to promote clean energy," he said.

Spanish Fork resident Diana Butler said many factors need to be considered.

"The beauty of this area is one of the great resources we have, but I think the wind is also a great resource," she said, adding she saw no negative impact from the project.

Increased noise pollution should not be a problem, officials said.

"You'll hear the wind, but you won't hear the tower," Councilman Matthew Barber said.

"You can hear them in California," Ward argued.

Resident Robert Pittelli discounted the attractiveness argument, saying the turbines will be built in a pit that already is an eyesore.

"Where I live I can see the whole part of the valley, and anything will be better than what we have now," he said.

Dean Davis said he believes the windmills are better than mass suburban development.

"We're not just suburbia," the Spanish Fork resident said. "We're about something else."

The company does have several limitations while building, including not interfering with broadcast signals, building 500 feet from a residential area, placing signs on the turbines and having an engineering analysis to ensure compliance.

The area still could be used for light industrial, as buildings could exist underneath the blades.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.