(a) Application for Zoning Permit. An applicant who seeks to install a wind energy turbine system shall submit an application for a zoning permit, as provided by the City of Bedford, Ohio. The application shall include a site plan showing the streets and rights-of-way, property lines of the subject property as well as the property lines of the neighbors that are immediately adjacent, all required setbacks and clearances to the proposed WET, all existing structures on both the subject property and the neighboring properties immediately contiguous, and the location of all above-ground utilities. The application shall also include photographs of the existing conditions of the property, as well as renderings of the proposed WET and the manufacturer's brochure or printed information of the proposed system.
(b) Review of Application.
(1) Upon receipt of a completed application for the installation of a wind energy system, the Building Commissioner shall:
A. Act within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application to review the application for compliance with this section. If it is determined that the applicant is in compliance, he shall refer the application to the Bedford Planning Commission to review the application. Should the Building Commissioner determine that the application is not in compliance with this Section, a review letter shall be sent to the applicant itemizing the violations.
B. A Planning Commission hearing shall be held within 30 days of the determination by the Building Commissioner that the application is in compliance with this Section. The Planning Commission shall either recommend approval of the wind energy system or, within thirty (30) days, recommend alternatives to the applicant. If the Planning Commission recommends approval of an application, the Building Commissioner shall issue a permit for the work provided that the application complies with the requirements of this Section. If the Planning Commission recommends alternatives to the applicant, no permit shall be issued until the applicant formally acknowledges that he or she has received the recommendations of the Planning Commission. Recommendations of the Planning Commissions shall be advisory only, and shall not be considered as grounds for approving or denying an application.
C. Upon receiving the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Building Commissioner shall, within fourteen (14) days, either approve or deny the application. Should the application be denied, the applicant may either withdraw the application completely, modify the application in such a way as to bring all aspects of the project into compliance with this Section, or request an appeal of the Building Commissioner's denial of a Zoning permit. Appeals of the order shall be heard by the Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals in a timely manner.
(2) Regardless of the action of the Planning Commission, the Building Commissioner shall have the authority to impose reasonable conditions to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare.
(Ord. 8759-10. Passed 11-15-10.)