Lincolnshire officials expect to extend a temporary ban on the construction of wind turbines and other alternative-energy generators, Mayor Brett Blomberg said.

The moratorium was enacted in June with a four-month life span. An extension, which could be approved at the board's next meeting Oct. 19, would extend the prohibition to January 2010.

The moratorium was enacted to allow village staffers to study the pros and cons of alternative energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels, and to draft a policy governing their use.

"I think it's important to have rules in place to preserve the character of the community," Blomberg said.

The Oct. 19 Lincolnshire village board meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at village hall, One Olde Half Day Road.

Lincolnshire's moratorium was one of the first in the area. Libertyville, Bannockburn and other communities also have enacted temporary bans, and about two dozen communities are collaborating with Lake County to produce standard guidelines for issues related to wind power.

"I find it interesting that communities are open to taking a look at it and to find out how they can make this work," Blomberg said.

No alternative energy generators operate in Lincolnshire now, but other Lake County communities have them. A wind turbine has been operating at a Gurnee restaurant without complaints, while a new, larger turbine in Libertyville was temporarily forced to stop spinning this summer because of noise concerns.

Local residents sued to shut down that turbine, which operates only sporadically at the Aldridge Electric headquarters on Rockland Road.

Residents concerned about the turbine will host a forum on wind energy and possible impacts on property values and health about 1 p.m. Saturday at the Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St. The event will feature Richard James, a noise control consultant from Michigan, and Michael McCann, owner of a Chicago-based appraisal firm specializing in commercial property and zoning matters.