(a) Location. Utility-scale wind energy facilities may not fall within the front yard and must meet all of the applicable requirements of this Code.
(b) Minimum Lot Area. Must be located on a lot with a minimum area of one acre.
(c) Maximum Wind Turbine Height. Seventy feet.
(d) Noise. A wind energy system must comply with the noise standards set forth in the City's ordinances.
(e) Shadow Flicker. The application for a wind energy system must include a shadow flicker analysis demonstrating impact on adjacent and nearby residential properties. Wind energy systems must be constructed in locations that minimize the impacts of shadow flicker on residences.
(f) Lighting. No wind energy system will be artificially lighted unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
(g) Appearance, Color, and Finish. The wind energy system must be maintained in the color or finish that was originally applied by the manufacturer, unless otherwise approved in the building permit. All wind energy systems will be a single non-reflective, non-obtrusive, matte finished color (e.g. white or gray).
(h) Electrical Wires. All electrical wires associated with a wind energy system, other than wires necessary to connect the wind generator to the tower wiring, the tower wiring to the disconnect junction box, and grounding wires, must be located underground.
(i) Compliance with Electrical Code. Building permit applications for wind energy systems must be accompanied by line drawings of the electrical components in sufficient detail to allow for a determination that the manner of installation conforms to the National Electrical Code.
(j) Construction Codes, Towers, and Interconnection Standards. Wind energy systems, including towers, must comply with all applicable state construction and electrical codes and local building permit requirements. Wind energy systems including towers, must comply with the FAA requirements, and other applicable local and state regulations. A wind energy system connected to the public utility electrical grid must comply with the Michigan Public Service Commission and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission standards. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
(k) System Access. Wind energy systems must be designed and installed such that step bolts, ladders, or other means of access readily accessible to the public are located at least eight feet above grade level.
(l) Safety. A wind energy system must have an automatic braking, governing, or feathering system to prevent uncontrolled rotation or over speeding. All wind towers must have lightning protection. If a tower is supported by guy wires, the wires must be clearly visible to a height of at least six feet above the guy wire anchors.
(m) Minimum Ground Clearance. The lowest extension of any blade or other exposed moving component of a tower mounted wind energy system must be at least twenty feet above the surrounding grade at its highest point within twenty feet of the base of the tower and at least twenty feet above any outdoor surface intended for human use, such as balconies or roof gardens, that are located below the wind energy system.
(n) Roof-Mounted Wind Energy Systems. Roof-mounted wind energy systems must be limited to roof mounting and must not be mounted on any other building wall or surface.
(o) Performance Guarantee. All applications for a wind energy system must be accompanied by a performance guarantee in an amount sufficient to ensure the decommissioning and removal of the system when it is abandoned or no longer needed. Refer to Section 1281.04(f).
(p) Insurance. The applicant must submit proof of sufficient property damage and liability insurance.
(q) Utility Connection. The applicant must submit evidence that the utility company has been informed of the customer's intent to install an interconnected, customer-owned wind energy generator and that such connection has been approved. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
(Ord. 10-2020. Passed 11-24-20.)