(a) Permitted Locations. A small wind energy system is permitted in any zoning district.
(b) Minimum Lot Size. No wind energy system shall be erected on any lot less than one acre in size.
(c) Total Height. For property sizes between one (1) acre and two (2) acres, the total height of any tower shall not exceed sixty feet (60'). For property sizes between two (2) and five (5) acres, the total height shall not exceed eighty feet (80'). For property sizes greater than five (5) acres, the total height shall not exceed 100 feet. Total height means the distance measured from ground level to the blade extended at its highest point or to the top of the tower, whichever is the highest.
(d) Location. No small wind energy system shall be located in any front or side yard.
(e) Setbacks.
(1) Property lines. A small wind energy system or tower shall be set back from the nearest property line, public road right-of-way and communication and electrical line not less than 1.1 times its total height.
(2) Inhabited structures. A small wind energy system, or tower shall be set back from the nearest inhabited building not less than 1.5 times its total height.
(f) Design Standards.
(1) Monopole or freestanding design. The design of the small wind energy system or tower shall be of a monopole or freestanding design without guy wires.
(2) Minimum blade height. The minimum height of the lowest extent of a turbine blade shall be thirty feet (30') above the ground or thirty feet (30') above any structure or obstacle within 100 feet from the tower.
(3) Access. No tower shall have a climbing apparatus within fifteen feet (15') of the ground. All access doors or access ways to towers and electrical equipment shall be able to be locked.
(4) Noise. No small wind energy system shall exceed 60 dBA as measured at the property line or 50 dBA as measured at the nearest neighboring inhabitable building.
(5) Visual appearance. Small wind energy and/or tower systems shall be finished in a rust-resistant, non-obtrusive finish and color that is non-reflective. No small wind energy system or tower shall be lighted unless required by the FAA. No flags, streamers, decorations, advertising signs of any kind or nature whatsoever shall be permitted on any small wind energy system and/or tower.
(6) Electrical interconnections. All electrical interconnection or distribution lines shall be underground and comply with all applicable codes and public utility requirements.
(7) Signal interference. Efforts shall be made to site small wind energy systems or towers to reduce the likelihood of blocking or reflecting television and other communication signals. If signal interference occurs, both the small wind energy system or tower owner and individual receiving interference shall make reasonable efforts to resolve the problem. No small wind energy system or tower shall cause permanent and material interference with television or other communication signals.
(8) Over-speed controls. Every small wind energy system shall be equipped with both manual and automatic over-speed controls.
(g) Permit Applications. Application for a small wind energy system and/or tower shall include the following information:
(1) Site plan to scale showing the location of the proposed small wind energy system and/or tower and the locations of all existing buildings, structures and property lines, along with distances.
(2) Elevations of the site to scale showing the height, design and configuration of the small wind energy system and the height and distance to all existing structures, buildings, electrical lines and property lines.
(3) Standard drawings and an engineering analysis of the systems tower, including weight capacity.
(4) A standard foundation and anchor design along with soil conditions and specifications for the soil conditions at the site.
(5) Specific information on the type, size, rotor material, rated power output, performance, safety and noise characteristics of the system; including, the name and address of the manufacturer, model and serial number.
(6) Emergency and normal shutdown procedures.
(7) A line drawing of the electrical components of the system in sufficient detail to establish that the installation conforms to all applicable electrical codes.
(8) Evidence that the provider of electrical service of the property has been notified of the intent to install an interconnected electricity generator; unless, the system will not be connected to the electricity grid.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)