The town of Cherry Valley will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. July 31 on whether to enact a 12-month moratorium on development.

The initiative comes after Reunion Power of Manchester, Vt., submitted an application to erect 24 wind turbines on East Hill. Project manager David Little has estimated the wind farm will cost about $100 million to build.

The public hearing will be held in the town garage because a large crowd is expected, Cherry Valley Supervisor Tom Garretson said Wednesday. Those who wish to speak will be allowed two minutes each.

The decision to have the hearing was made at the town board’s July 13 meeting, which was attended by about 150 people, Garretson said. In the audience that night, there were avid supporters and opponents of the proposed East Hill Wind Park.

Garretson has said he favors enacting a moratorium, saying it would allow the town to enact a comprehensive plan before the town’s Planning Board reviews the wind-park proposal.

He said Wednesday that some people have the impression that the proposed moratorium is meant to prevent the wind turbines from being built.