As a basis for assuring that SWECS and any associated equipment will be of minimum hazard to and compatible with, surrounding development, the location, evaluation and approval of a proposed tower site and associated production and processing equipment site shall be based upon the following criteria:
(a) Maximum Tower Height. The maximum tower height shall be 150 feet, except as imposed by FAA regulations.
(b) Turbine Clearance. No portion of the turbine, including rotor blades, shall extend within twenty feet of the ground. No portion of the turbine may extend over overhead utility lines, parking areas, driveways or sidewalks.
(c) Minimum Setbacks. Minimum setbacks from all property lines for the SWECS shall be either 100 feet or equal to 1.5 times the overall blade tip height of the SWECS, whichever is greater. No part of the small wind energy conversion system structure, including, but not limited to, guy wire anchors and any necessary ground-mounted conversion equipment, may extend closer than twenty-five feet to the property line. SWECS shall be set back a distance equal to 1.5 times the overall blade tip height of the SWECS from the nearest existing residential or commercial structure.
(e) Automatic Over-Speed Controls. All small wind energy conversion systems shall be equipped with manual (electronic or mechanical) and automatic over-speed controls to limit the blade rotation speed to within the design limits of the small wind energy conversion system.
(f) Utility Notification. No small wind energy conversion system shall be installed until evidence has been given that the electrical utility company has been informed of, and approved the customer’s intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator. Off-grid systems shall be exempt from this requirement.
(g) Tower Color. Tower colors shall be white, off-white, gray or neutral subdued tones, such as earth tones of green or brown. Towers shall not be finished in bright or vivid colors, nor shall the tower be used for advertising of any kind.
(h) Multiple Towers. Multiple small wind energy conversion systems are allowed on any site, provided all minimum standards are met and total wattage is less than 5MW.
(i) Lighting. Small wind energy conversion systems shall not be artificially lighted, except as required by the FAA.
(j) Wiring. All wiring from the tower to any structures or connections shall be underground.
(k) Climb Prevention. Small wind energy conversion systems shall not be climbable up to fifteen feet above the ground surface.
(l) Compliance with Other Regulations. The applicant or owner shall be responsible for acquiring all necessary approvals from other applicable agencies, including but not limited to the FAA.
(m) Maintenance. Small wind energy conversion systems are subject to the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code and shall be maintained in working order, structurally sound, and with any surface treatments intact.
(n) Abandoned Facilities. Any small wind energy conversion system that is not operated on a functional basis for a period of six consecutive months shall be deemed abandoned. The Zoning Inspector may order the repair or removal of said small wind energy conversion system, in accordance with these provisions. The applicant, owner, or other person responsible for the facility shall repair or remove the same within sixty days of receipt of notification by certified mail. If said facility is not either operational or removed after sixty days, the Village may remove the system at the owner’s expense.
(o) Insurance. Prior to the issuance of a zoning permit for the installation of a SWECS, the applicant shall provide the Village with evidence that the applicant’s insurance policy has been endorsed to cover damage or injury that might result from the installation and operation of the SWECS.
(Ord. 10-105. Passed 4-15-10.)