CHAPTER 1154
Alternative Energy Facilities

1154.01   Purpose and intent.

1154.02   Definitions.

1154.03   Compliance and permit required.

1154.04   Use to be accessory.

1154.05   Roof mounted solar arrays.

1154.06   Free-standing or ground mounted solar arrays.

1154.07   Roof mounted wind energy facilities.

1154.08   Free-standing or ground mounted wind energy facilities.

1154.01 PURPOSE AND INTENT.

   The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for the construction and operation of Alternative Energy Facilities as accessory uses in various Use Districts within the City, to provide standards for the placement, design, and operation of such facilities in order to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize the adverse impacts of Alternative Energy Facilities on adjacent properties and on the aesthetic quality of the City.

(Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)

1154.02 DEFINITIONS.

   The words and terms used in this Chapter shall have the following meanings:

   (a)   "Alternative Energy Facility" means a Solar Array or Wind Energy Facility intended to provide electrical power primarily for consumption on-site.

   (b)   "Solar Array" means any collection of Solar Panels, connectors, battery banks, controllers, wiring, meters, and switching devices intended to work in combination to convert solar energy to electrical power.

   (c)   "Solar Panel" means any device used for collecting solar energy and converting it to electrical power.

   (d)   "Wind Energy Facility" means any combination of equipment, machinery, and structures used to convert kinetic wind energy into electrical power.

      (Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)

1154.03 COMPLIANCE AND PERMIT REQUIRED.

   Alternative Energy Facilities shall be designed, erected, installed, operated, and/or  maintained only in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Chapter.  A Building Permit and Electrical Permit issued by the Building Commissioner shall be required prior to the erection, installation, connection, or operation of any Alternative Energy Facility. Applicants shall provide written evidence that the power company has been informed of the intent to install an Alternative Energy Facility at the subject site.

(Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)

1154.04 USE TO BE ACCESSORY.

   Alternative Energy Facilities shall only be permitted as accessory to a principal use or building located on the same lot or parcel. Such facilities shall be designed, installed, or constructed to provide electrical power to be primarily consumed by the principal use or building to which they are accessory. Cooperative facilities, electrical storage, and distribution of power are prohibited.

(Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)

1154.05 ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR ARRAYS.

   Roof mounted Solar Arrays shall be located in conformance with the following criteria and standards:

   (a)    Roof Mounted Solar Arrays in Residential U-L, U-2A, and U-3 Districts. Roof mounted Solar Arrays shall be permitted in U-I, U-2A, and U-3 Districts provided that Solar Panels do not extend more than thirty-six inches (36") above either the plane of the roof or the ridge line of the dwelling and that all accessory components are located within the building or behind the principal building and within the side and rear building setback lines.

   (b)    Roof Mounted Solar Arrays in Residential U-3A Districts.  Roof mounted Solar Arrays shall be permitted in U-3A Districts provided that Solar Panels do not extend more than thirty-six inches (36") above the plane of the roof of pitched roofs nor more than forty-two inches (42") above the roof line or parapet wall of a flat roof and further provided that all accessory components are located either within the building, behind the principal building and within the side and rear building setback lines, or hidden from view behind the parapet wall of buildings with flat roofs.

   (c)    Roof Mounted Solar Arrays in U-4A, U-4B, and U-5 Districts.  Roof mounted Solar Arrays shall be permitted in U-4A, U-4B, and U-5 Districts provided that Solar Panels do not extend more than thirty-six inches (36") above the plane of the roof of pitched roofs or more than forty-two inches (42") above the roof or parapet wall of a flat roof and further provided that all accessory components are located either within the building, or within a screened enclosure behind the principal building, or are hidden from view behind the parapet wall of buildings with flat roofs.

   (d)   Roof Mounted Solar Arrays in U-7A, U-8, U-8A, U-9, and U-10 Districts.  Roof mounted Solar Arrays shall be permitted in U-7A, U-8, U-8A, U-9, and U-10  Districts provided that Solar Panels do not extend more than thirty-six inches (36") above the plane of the roof of pitched roofs or more than forty-eight inches (48") above the roof or parapet wall of a flat roof and further provided that all accessory components are located either within the building, or within a screened enclosure behind the principal building, or are hidden from view behind the parapet wall of buildings with flat roofs.

   (e)   Roof Mounted Solar Arrays in All Use Districts. Roof mounted Solar Arrays shall have appropriate structural support and shall be designed to withstand winds of ninety (90) miles per hour.

      (Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)

1154.06 FREE-STANDING OR GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR ARRAYS.

   Free-standing or ground mounted Solar Arrays shall be permitted in all Use Districts in conformance with the following criteria and standards:

   (a)    Maximum Height.  Free-standing or ground mounted Solar Arrays shall not exceed a maximum height of fifteen feet (15') measured to the highest projection of any Solar Panel in final configuration and orientation.

   (b)    Minimum Setback.  Free-standing or ground mounted Solar Arrays shall be setback from all side and rear property lines a distance equal to the height of the Solar Array, but in no case less than ten feet (10').

   (c)    Location. Free-standing or ground mounted Solar Arrays shall be located behind the setback line of the principal building to which such facility is accessory.

   (d)    Structural Support and Wind Load. Free-standing or ground mounted Solar Arrays shall have appropriate structural support and shall be designed to withstand winds of ninety (90) miles per hour.

   (e)    Accessory Components.  All accessory components shall be located either within the principal building or behind the principal building and within the side and rear building setback lines. Ground mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access. Accessory components shall be screened from view from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties.

   (f)    Wiring.  All electrical connections between free-standing or ground mounted Solar Arrays and the principal building shall be located underground.

      (Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)

1154.07 ROOF MOUNTED WIND ENERGY FACILITIES.

   Roof mounted wind energy facilities may be located on buildings with flat roofs located in the U-3A, U-4A, U-4B, U-5, U-7A, U-8, U-8A, U-9, and U-10 Districts in conformance with the following criteria and standards:

   (a)    Structural Design.  Roof mounted wind energy facilities shall have appropriate structural support.

   (b)    Accessory Components.  All accessory components shall be located either within the principal building or behind the principal building and within the side and rear building setback lines. Ground mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access. Accessory components shall be screened from view from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties.

   (c)    Maximum Sound Level.  The maximum sound produced by a Wind Energy Facility during operation shall not exceed sixty (60) dbA measured at the nearest property line.

   (d)    Brakes. All Wind Energy Facilities shall be equipped with an automatic over-speed control system, which may be either an electronic or mechanical system, for automatically controlling blade rotation speed so that the design limits of the system are not exceeded.

   (e)    Appearance. Lighting of Wind Energy Facilities shall be prohibited. Towers, turbines and blades shall be white, black, or gray. No signage or advertising shall be permitted on any Wind Energy Facility.

   (f)    Maintenance Required.  Wind Energy Facilities shall be properly maintained at all times in compliance with all manufacturers specifications. The immediate grounds around the base of the facility shall be maintained in good condition at all times.

   (g)    Engineering Report Required.  Each application for a Wind Energy Facility shall be accompanied by a report from a licensed engineer documenting that the proposed system will meet all of the standards set forth herein, that it is designed to handle anticipated wind loads, that the roof support system has been properly designed, and that it has appropriate over-speed controls.

   (h)   Maximum Height. Roof mounted Wind Energy Facilities shall not extend more than twenty feet (20') above the maximum building height of the Use District in which they are located nor more than thirty feet (30') above the roof level of the building on which the facility is mounted.

      (Ord. 2018-94.  Passed 10-21-19.)