(A) Permitted locations. A small WECS is permitted in any zoning district.
(B) Setbacks. The vertical part of a small WECS shall be set back from the nearest property line, public road right-of-way, and communication and electrical line not less than one and one-half times its total height.
(C) Design standards.
(1) Tower design. The design of the small WECS tower, if any, shall be a single enclosed pole, which is free-standing, without guy wires. Open lattice towers shall not be employed.
(2) Minimum blade height. The minimum height of the lowest extent of a turbine blade shall be 30 feet above the ground or 30 feet above any structure or obstacle within 30 feet horizontally from any part of the arc of the turbine blades.
(3) Access. No tower shall have a climbing apparatus within 15 feet of the ground. All access doors or access ways to towers and electrical equipment shall be able to be locked.
(4) Noise. No small WECS shall generate sounds exceeding 60 dBA as measured 100 feet from the tower. Noise generated by any small WECS shall also comply with existing village noise ordinances.
(5) Visual appearance. Small wind energy conversion or tower systems shall be finished in a corrosion-resistant, non-obtrusive finish and color that is non-reflective. No small WECS 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 WECS.
(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.
(a) Efforts shall be made to site small WECS or towers to reduce the likelihood of blocking or reflecting television and other communication signals. If signal interference occurs, both the small WECS or tower owner and individual receiving interference shall make reasonable efforts to resolve the problem.
(b) No small WECS or tower shall cause permanent and material interference with television or other communication signals.
(8) Shadow flicker and blade glint. A wind energy system shall be designed and operated so that shadow flicker from moving blades or reflected blade glint will not occur off the site on which the facility is located. Shadow flicker or blade glint expected to fall on a roadway or a portion of an off-site property may be acceptable under the following conditions.
(a) The flicker or glint will not exceed 30 hours per year.
(b) The flicker or glint will fall more than 100 feet from an existing or future residence.
(c) The affected property owner has signed a written agreement with the owner-operator.
(d) The traffic volumes are less than 100 vehicles per day on the roadway.
(9) Ice throw. The potential ice throw or ice shedding zone for the proposed wind energy system shall not cross the property lines on which the facility is located and shall not impinge on any public right-of-way or overhead utility line.
(10) Noise setbacks. The Planning Commission may impose a noise setback that exceeds the other setbacks set out in this subchapter if it deems that such greater setbacks are necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.
(D) Permit applications. Application for a small WECS and/or tower shall include the following information:
(1) Site plan (map view) to scale showing the location of all of the components of the proposed small WECS and the locations of all existing buildings, structures, and property lines, along with distances;
(2) Elevation (side view) drawings of the site to scale showing the height, design, and configuration of the small WECS and the height and distance to all existing structures, buildings, electrical lines, and property lines;
(3) Structural drawings and engineering analyses of the WECS tower and/or supporting structure, demonstrating adequate weight and lateral stress capacity;
(4) A standard foundation and anchor design demonstrating adequate vertical and lateral support capacity 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 all parts of the WECS; including the name and address of the component manufacturers, model, and serial numbers of all WECS components;
(6) Emergency and normal shutdown procedures;
(7) An electrical one-line drawing of the electrical components of the system in sufficient detail to establish that the installation conforms to all applicable electrical codes; and
(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. 2010-2, passed 5-10-2010) Penalty, see § 154.999