(a) Zoning Districts. Wind energy facilities may be located in any Zoning District as either an accessory use or a principal use, subject to the restrictions and requirements of this chapter.
(b) Setbacks for Ground-Mounted Wind Turbines.
(1) General. A ground-mounted wind turbine shall be set back from all property lines, street right-of-way lines, and overhead utility lines a minimum distance equal to one and none-tenth (1.1) times the height of the wind turbine. Turbine setbacks shall be measured from the center of the wind turbine base. With respect to an overhead utility line that provides service only to a single building or a single parcel of land, the setback requirement shall be met if the turbine is placed so that no portion of a rotor blade extends closer than five (5) feet to the utility line.
(2) Residential. With respect to proximity to Residential District lines, a wind turbine, including a wind turbine located in a Residential District, shall be set back from Residential District lines of adjoining or nearby properties a minimum distance equal to two (2) times the height of the wind turbine. In the case of a wind turbine that does not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height and is located in a Residential District, the wind turbine shall be set back at least fifteen (15) feet from all property lines, and no portion of a rotor blade shall extend closer than five (5) feet to any lot line.
(c) Height. The height of a ground-mounted wind turbine shall be limited by the setback requirements of this section. The height of a rooftop or other building- mounted wind turbine shall not exceed the maximum permitted building height for the property by more than twenty percent (20%). For a rooftop or other building- mounted wind turbine that exceeds the maximum permitted building height by more than twenty percent (20%), the City Planning Commission, after a public hearing, may approve a greater height if the Commission determines that the placement of the turbine and context of the turbine site will mitigate any significant negative visual or safety impacts on nearby properties.
(Ord. No. 458-09. Passed 6-8-09, eff. 6-12-09)