The effort to harness the wind blowing down Spanish Fork Canyon is caught in bureaucratic doldrums.

Spanish Fork's City Council put the development of a wind farm at the mouth of the canyon on hold after residents objected to the idea of 400-foot tall windmills ruining their views and hurting their property values.

To the city's credit, officials want to hear the residents' concerns and appointed a three-member board to represent homeowners in discussions about the project.

But the city is going back on its word by putting the development on hold. It amended its zoning ordinances last year to accommodate the wind farm and gave Wasatch Wind the go-ahead. At that time, no resident voiced objections. It is only as the company is preparing to install the turbines that the protesters are speaking up.

This is akin to objecting to a couple's marriage after the honeymoon, rather than at the wedding. The proper time to have raised the objections was when the zoning issue was being debated and certainly before Wasatch Wind made a good-faith investment in the project. Right now, the company could lose $300,000 if the city adopts a moratorium.

Had the residents spoken up at the proper time, it would have been easier for the city and Wasatch Wind to respond and make adjustments. But it is too late for that now.

Unless the residents can point out some evidence of malfeasance on the part of the city, or that the approval was given without proper public notice or some such technicality, then they need to accept the fact that they are a day late and a dollar short.

While a wind turbine may not be the best thing to see out one's picture window, there are far worse things that could be there. Would residents prefer a coal-burning power plant at the mouth of the canyonfi A traditional power station would have a greater visual impact than a handful -- five, actually -- windmills turning in the breeze. Most residents would probably prefer being downwind of a wind farm than an animal rendering facility.

That is not to say that Wasatch Wind should be insensitive to the concerns of residents. The company should take steps to ensure that the turbines do not generate excessive noise or negatively affect the area. But it should not be forced to drastically alter its business plans because someone raised an objection months after the city gave its approval.

Given the need to find clean, renewable sources of energy, Spanish Fork residents should welcome a plan that harnesses the winds to generate electricity. They had their chance. Now they need to accept the consequences of non-participation in the process.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A5.