(A) SWECS shall meet the following standards:
(1) No more than one SWECS may be placed on a lot.
(2) Lots containing a SWECS shall have an area of at least ten acres.
(3) No SWECS shall be allowed within the Shoreland Overlay District.
(4) The base of the SWECS tower shall be set back at least 100 feet from all property lines. SWECS shall not be installed in the street side yard of any lot. SWECS shall not be located more than 100 feet from the principal structure on the property.
(5) SWECS shall be set back a distance equal to the height of the SWECS from a floodplain, pond, or wetland.
(6) SWECS shall not encroach on public drainage, utility, roadway, or trail easements.
(7) A maximum hub height of 30 feet is allowed.
(8) A maximum blade length of 15 feet is permitted.
(9) The minimum distance from the ground for the lowest point of a blade or any moving part shall be 12 feet.
(10) Roof- or wall-mounted SWECS are not permitted.
(11) SWECS shall comply with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards outlined in Minn. Rules Chapter 7030 at all property lines.
(12) SWECS are exempt from the screening requirements for the district in which they are located.
(13) All portions of the SWECS shall be a nonreflective surface, subject to the approval of the Zoning Administrator. Only monopole towers are permitted. The appearance of the turbine, tower, and any other related components shall be maintained throughout the life of the SWECS pursuance to industry standards. Systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising, nor for other uses including but not limited to cell phone antennas, flags, ham radio antennas, etc. No components unnecessary to the operation of the SWECS shall be allowed. Systems shall not be illuminated.
(14) The electrical collection system shall be placed underground within the interior of each parcel.
(15) No SWECS shall produce vibrations through the ground that are humanly perceptible beyond the property on which it is located.
(B) Safety.
(1) Standards and certification.
(a) Standards. SWECS shall meet minimum standards such as International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-2 or the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard or other standards as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(b) Certification. SWECS shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Small Wind Certification Council or other body as determined by the Zoning Administrator. The city reserves the right to deny a building permit for proposed SWECS deemed to have inadequate certification or testing for operation in a severe winter climate.
(c) Maintenance. SWECS shall be maintained under an agreement or contract by the manufacturer or other qualified entity. The owner of the SWECS shall once every two years have the SWECS inspected by a licensed qualified professional and submit to the city a report on the status and condition of the SWECS.
(2) Utility connection. All grid connected systems shall have an agreement with the local utility prior to the issuance of a building permit. A visible external disconnect must be provided if required by the utility.
(C) A building permit shall be obtained for any SWECS prior to installation.
(D) The power produced from a SWECS shall only be used for on-site consumption except if connected to the local utility power grid per the provisions of this section.
(E) If the SWECS remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a demolition permit has been obtained. Removal includes the entire structure including foundations to below natural grade and transmission equipment.
(Ord. 20220120-01, passed 1-20-22)