(A) Safety design standards.
(1) Engineering certification. For each WECS, the manufacturer’s engineer or another qualified engineer shall certify that the turbine, foundation and tower design of the WECS is within accepted professional standards, given local soil and climate conditions.
(2) Clearance. Rotor blades or airfoils must maintain at least 12 feet of clearance between their lowest point and the ground.
(B) Standards.
(1) Generating capacity. A WECS of no more than 40 kW in total name plate generating capacity shall be permitted in the city.
(2) Number per lot. No more than one WECS per lot shall be permitted.
(3) Tower configuration. Each WECS shall be installed with monopole or lattice tower type; no guyed towers shall be permitted.
(4) Height. Total height shall not exceed 135 feet from grade existing at the base of the tower prior to construction or grading.
(5) Property line setback. The setback from all property lines and other structures shall be one and one-half times the tower height plus the minimum accessory structure setback as defined in § 153.051 of this code.
(6) Color and finish. All wind turbines and towers that are part of a WECS shall be white, grey or another non-obtrusive color. Finishes shall be matte or non-reflective.
(7) Lighting. No tower requiring a light shall be allowed. Lighting of or on the tower shall be prohibited.
(8) Signage. No signage shall be permitted on each WECS with the exception that the manufacturer’s or owner’s company name and/or logo may be placed upon the nacelle.
(9) Waste disposal. Solid and hazardous wastes, including but not limited to crates, packaging materials, damaged or worn parts, as well as used oils and lubricants, shall be removed from the site promptly and disposed of in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
(10) Discontinuation and decommissioning. A WECS shall be considered a discontinued use after 180 days without energy production, unless a plan is developed and submitted to the City Administrator outlining the steps and schedule for returning the WECS to service. Each WECS and any accessory facilities shall be removed to four feet below ground level within 90 days of the decommissioning of use. The site shall be restored to its pre-existing condition.
(11) Orderly development. Upon issuance of a conditional use permit, each WECS applicant shall notify the appropriate state agency of the project location and details.
(C) Performance standards.
(1) Noise.
(a) The following standards which shall include ambient noise shall be measured and applied at all property lines.
Day (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) | Night (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) | ||
L10 | L50 | L10 | L50 |
65 dB | 60 dB | 55 dB | 50 dB |
(b) The applicant shall provide a statement listing the existing and maximum future projected measurements of noise from the proposed WECS for the following:
1. Existing or ambient noise; and
2. Existing plus proposed WECS: maximum estimate of noise from the proposed WECS plus the existing noise environment.
(c) No WECS shall be operated in a manner as to create a noise level exceeding the decibel limit set in Table 1 (see § 153.097 of this code) at any location outside the parcel on which the WECS is located.
(2) Electrical codes and standards. Each WECS and any accessory equipment and facilities shall comply with the National Electrical Code and other applicable standards.
(3) Federal aviation administration. Each WECS shall comply with FAA standards and permits.
(4) State Building Code. Each WECS shall comply with the International Building Code as adopted by the state.
(5) Interference. The applicant shall minimize or mitigate interference with electromagnetic communications, such as radio, telephone, microwaves or television signals caused by any WECS. The applicant shall notify all communication tower operators within two miles of the proposed WECS location upon application to the city for permits. No WECS shall be constructed so as to interfere with city, county or state’s Department of Transportation microwave transmissions.
(Prior Code, § 12-229) (Ord. 05-2010, passed 6-15-2010; Ord. 10-2010, passed 11-16-2010) Penalty, see § 153.999