The Planning Commission shall evaluate the application for compliance with the following standards:
(a) Minimum Site Area. The minimum area of a parcel containing a small wind conversion energy system shall be two acres.
(b) Number Per Parcel. A maximum of two wind turbines per acre are permitted on parcels greater than two acres in size.
(c) Minimum Setback. The setback shall be calculated by multiplying the minimum setback requirement number by the system height and measured from the center of the tower base to property line, public roads, or nearest point on the foundation of an occupied building.
(1) A minimum of 1.2 times the total extended height from the project property lines adjacent to any residential zoning district or residential land use.
(2) A minimum of .75 times the total extended height from the project property lines adjacent to any non-residential zoning district.
(3) Guy wire anchors may not extend closer than twenty feet from any property line.
(4) A twenty-foot minimum setback from any part of the turbine, rotors or guy wires to any property line.
(d) Tower Height. The maximum tower height shall be restricted to seventy feet.
(e) Sound Level. The small wind conversion energy system shall not exceed sixty decibels using the A scale(dBA), as measured at the site property line, except during short-term events such as severe wind storms and utility outages.
(f) Shadow Flicker. Small wind conversion energy systems shall be sited in a manner that does not result in significant shadow flicker impacts. Significant shadow flicker is defined as more than thirty hours per year on abutting occupied buildings. The applicant has the burden of proving that the shadow flicker will not have significant adverse impact on neighboring or adjacent uses. Potential shadow flicker will be addressed either through siting or mitigation measures.
(g) Signs. All signs including flags, streamers and decorative items, both temporary and permanent, are prohibited on the small wind conversion energy system, except for manufacturer identification or appropriate warning signs.
(h) Code Compliance. The small wind conversion energy system shall comply with all applicable sections of the Ohio Basic Building Code.
(i) Aviation. The small wind conversion energy system shall be built to comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations including but not limited to 14 C.F.R. part 77, subpart B regarding installations close to airports, and any applicable Ohio regulations.
(j) Visual Impacts. It is inherent that small wind conversion energy systems may pose some visual impacts due to the tower height needed to access wind resources. The purpose of this section is to reduce the visual impacts, without restricting the owner’s access to the optimal wind resources on the property.
(1) The applicant shall demonstrate through project site planning and proposed mitigation that the small wind conversion energy system’s visual impacts will be minimized for surrounding neighbors and the community. This may include, but not be limited to information regarding site selection, wind generator design or appearance, buffering, and screening of ground mounted electrical and control equipment. All electrical conduits shall be underground, except when the financial costs are prohibitive.
(2) The color of the small wind conversion energy system shall be a non-obtrusive color such as tan, sand, gray, black or similar color that blends in with the surrounding environment.
(3) Approved wind generators. The manufacturer and model of the wind generator to be used in the proposed small wind conversion energy system must have been approved by the California Energy Commission or the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or a similar list approved by the state of Ohio, if available.
(4) Utility connection. If the proposed small wind conversion energy system is to be connected to the power grid through net metering, it shall adhere to any applicable State of Ohio regulation.
(5) Access. The tower shall be designed and installed so as not to provide step bolts or a ladder readily accessible to the public for a minimum height of twelve feet above the ground. All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
(6) Clearing. Clearing of natural vegetation shall be limited to that which is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of the small wind conversion energy system and as otherwise prescribed by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.
(7) Electrical wires. All electrical wires leading from the tower to electrical control facilities shall be located underground.
(k) Mounting of wind turbines. Attachment of the wind turbine, including any support or structural components, to any building or structure shall be in strict compliance with regulations of the Ohio Basic Building Code.
(l) Lighting. Wind system towers shall not be artificially lighted unless required, in writing, by the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) or other applicable authority that regulates air safety. Where the FAA requires lighting, the lighting shall be the lowest intensity allowable under FAA regulations; the fixtures shall be shielded and directed to the greatest extent possible to minimize glare and visibility from the ground; and no strobe lighting shall be permitted, unless expressly required by the FAA. Lighting levels shall not exceed 0.5 foot-candles at any common property line with property residentially zoned or used for residential purposes.
(Ord. 2022-24. Passed 5-24-22.)