MARSHALL — Developers have been looking at southwest Minnesota for wind energy projects – but there won’t be any wind farms built within Marshall city limits.

On Tuesday, members of the Marshall City Council approved a change to city ordinances, which will restrict wind towers within the city. Decorative or single-use wind towers will still be allowed, but no commercial developments.

The proposed ordinance change was a small one, said Marshall Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator Ilya Gutman.

“We all know about the current trend to have wind farms, and this is trying to limit them, at least within the city limits of Marshall,” Gutman said. “Smaller ones will still be allowed, but you won’t be able to have a wind farm inside the city.”

The text of the ordinance amendment prohibits commercial wind towers. Wind towers that are allowed under the ordinance cannot be taller than the city’s maximum permitted building height or 50 feet, whichever is less.

The Marshall Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment in October. After the hearing, commissioners recommended that the city council approve the ordinance.

“There was not a lot of concern or discussion. It makes sense,” said council member Amanda Schroeder.

Council members voted 4-1 in to adopt the ordinance change, with council member Steven Meister casting the vote against.