The definitions contained herein shall apply only to this chapter.
(a) “Aerodynamic sound.” A noise that is caused by the flow of air over and past the blades of a Wind Energy Conversion system.
(b) “Ambient sound.” This encompasses all sounds present in a given environment such as farm or construction noise, a car traveling on a nearby roadway, insects and birds, and people having conversation.
(c) “Anemometer.” A device for measuring the speed and direction of the wind.
(d) “Applicant.” The individual or business entity that seeks to secure a license under this chapter.
(e) “Background sound.” This refers to the sounds that would normally be present at least 90% of the time. “Background sounds” are those heard during lulls in the ambient sound environment. The background sound levels vary during different times of the day and night. Because a Wind Energy Conversion System operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the background sound levels of interest are those during the quieter periods which are often the evening and night. Sounds from birds, insects and people must be eliminated from background sound tests.
(f) “Clear area.” The area surrounding a wind turbine that is free of any residential or commercial structures.
(g) “dB(A).” The sound pressure level in decibels refers to the “a” weighted scale as defined by ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
(h) “Flicker.” The effect of moving, periodic shadows cast on a residence or place of business by the rotating blades of a wind turbine at those times when the sun is shining and is aligned with the turbine and a residence or place of business.
(i) “Health.” A state of complete physical and mental well being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
(j) “Height.” The total distance measured from the grade of the property as existed prior to the construction of a Wind Energy Conversion System, facility, tower, turbine or related facility at the base to its highest point.
(k) “Hub height.” The height of a horizontal wind axis from the natural grade at the base of the tower to the centerline of the rotor.
(l) “Nacelle.” The frame and housing at the top of a wind turbine tower that encloses the gearbox, generator, and other accessories, and protects them from the weather.
(m) “Noise.” Any unwanted sound. Not all noise needs to be excessively loud to represent an annoyance or interference.
(n) “Occupied structure.” A building in which people live, work or frequent.
(o) “Property line.” The recognized and mapped property parcel boundary line.
(p) “Rotor.” The blades and hub of the wind turbine that rotate during the turbine operation.
(q) “Sound.” A fluctuation of air pressure which is propagated as a wave through air.
(r) “Total height.” The height of a horizontal axis wind turbine measured from the natural grade at the base of the tower to the tip of the blade at its highest point, or the maximum height of a vertical axis wind turbine.
(s) “Tower.” The structure that supports the turbine, rotor, generator and accessory equipment. The tower may be a monopole or lattice design, with or without guy wires, depending on the height and other factors.
(t) “WECS.” Wind Energy Conversion System. All equipment, machinery and structures used in connection with the conversion of wind energy to electricity. This includes, but is not limited to, all transmission, storage, collection and supply equipment, substations, network of cabling, transformers, site-access and service roads, and machinery associated with its use. A wind energy conversion facility may consist of one or more wind turbines.
(u) “WECS license.” A license to construct and operate a Wind Energy Conversion System issued by the Village in accordance with this chapter.
(v) “WECS setback.” The distance measured at grade from the center of the base of the tower to the nearest property line.
(w) “Wind turbine.” Any electromechanical device that converts kinetic energy of the wind into rotational energy to turn an electrical generator shaft. Wind turbine facilities usually consist of a horizontal axis rotor, nacelle and supporting tower. Both horizontal and vertical wind turbines are covered by this chapter.
(Ord. 1636. Passed 4-19-10.)