The Stearns County board has approved a Lynden Township landowner’s request to erect a wind turbine on his property near the Clearwater River.

The county board voted 3-1 Tuesday after a public hearing during which neighbors of Russ Pearson complained that the tower would be a blight and obstruct their view.

Commissioners Leigh Lenzmeier, Vince Schaefer and DeWayne Mareck voted to approve the conditional-use permit. Mark Sakry was the lone opposing vote. Don Otte was absent.The 120-foot tower would have 20-foot blades and generate 39.5 kilowatts of electricity. Pearson’s original proposal was rejected by the township, so he moved it to a shore land area where the county has regulatory authority.Pearson told the board he wants to put up the wind turbine to reduce his electric bill and contribute toward reducing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.“I’m following where we’re going in this country, and we’re in trouble,” he said.Lynden Township officials said they’re not opposed to wind power, but are concerned that Pearson’s tower won’t be screened from view.“The situation here is location, location, location,” said Jerry Finch, a township supervisor and member of the county planning commission, which recommended denying the permit.Lenzmeier, the board chairman, said he believes Pearson has gone “well beyond” what he needs to do to get approval for the project.“If this is what someone has to go through — four years of effort and this kind of expenditure to make wind energy happen — it’s just not going to happen,” Lenzmeier said. “We can talk how we want to see wind energy all we want, but this is crazy. It’s just not going to happen out there.”Pearson’s turbine must meet a number of performance standards, including requirements for routine maintenance and meeting noise standards.