(a) Setback. A wind tower for a small wind energy system shall be set back a distance equal to the City's building set back requirements for principal structures except as otherwise noted herein. No portion of a wind generator shall extend beyond the set back lines nor into the following:
(1) Any public road right of way;
(2) The right of way or zone of influence of any overhead utility lines unless written permission is granted by the owner;
(3) The tower must be set back from the side and rear property lines a distance of not less than one (1) time the total tower height;
(4) Guy wires and anchors shall not extend closer than 15 feet to the property lines on any side. All guy wires shall be visible and marked within 6 feet of the ground;
(5) Small wind energy systems are not permitted in front or side yard.
(b) Access.
(1) All ground mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
(2) The tower shall be designed and installed so as not to provide step bolts, a ladder, or other publicly accessible means of climbing the tower, for a minimum height of eight feet above the ground.
(c) Towers. Only freestanding or guyed monopole towers are permitted. Lattice towers are explicitly prohibited
(d) Tower Height. The total tower height shall not exceed 140 feet in all other zoning districts, as measured from the ground. The Planning Commission may require reductions in tower height below the heights described above at their discretion.
(e) Lighting. A small wind energy system may not be artficially lighted unless such lighting is required by the FAA.
(f) Appearance, Color and Finish. The wind generator and tower shall remain painted or finished in the color or finish that was originally applied by the manufacturer, unless a different color or finish is approved by the Architectural Board of Review and Council
(g) Signs. There shall be no signs that are visible from any public road posted on a small wind generator system or any associated building, except for the manufacturers or installers identification, appropriate warning signs or owner identification.
(h) Utility Interconnection and Notification. Small wind energy systems that connect to the electrical utility shall comply with Ohio's Interconnection Standards, standards of the utility and all other applicable standards.
(i) Noise. Small wind energy systems in normal use shall not exceed 60 dba using the A scale as measured at the closest property line at its closest point from the tower, except during short term events such as severe wind storms and utility outages.
(j) Mounting. Roof mounted wind energy systems may not exceed the maximum heights in subsection (d) hereof as measured from the ground. No type of wind energy system may be mounted to any accessory structure including but not limited to detached garages, decks, gazebos, pot1icos, storage sheds, barns etc.
(k) FAA Regulations. Small wind energy systems must comply with all applicable FAA regulations, including Part 77 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations for installations close to airports and also including but not limited to: lighting requirements, height restrictions, etc. and any other necessary approvals.
(l) Variance. The applicant may apply to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance for subsections (a) through (k).
(Ord. 2010-060. Passed 6-22-10.)