(a) Design. Any WECS shall be designed as a monopole tower. Lattice towers are prohibited. Additionally, alternative structural designs for WECS may be permitted by the Planning and Design Commission, subject to review and restrictions contained herein. All electrical wires associated with a WECS shall be located within the structure or tower and underground.
(b) Blade Clearance. The vertical distance from ground level to the tip of a wind energy generator blade when the blade is at its lowest point must be at least thirty (30) feet. No blades may extend over parking areas, driveways or sidewalks.
(c) Noise. Any WECS shall not exceed 55 dB(A) at any adjacent property line. This sound pressure level may be exceeded during short-term events such as utility outages and/or severe wind storms. If the ambient sound pressure level exceeds 55 dB(A), the standard shall be ambient dB(A) plus 10 dB(A). Audible sound from any WECS shall not exceed the limits as set forth in Chapter 555
(Noise Control) of the North Olmsted Codified Ordinances.
(d) Appearance, Color, and Finish. The exterior surface of any visible component of a WECS must be a non-reflective, neutral color.
(e) Controls and Brakes. Any WECS shall be equipped with both manual (electronic or mechanical) and automatic over speed and braking controls to limit the blade rotation speed to within the design limits of the system, which must provide redundancy against over speed and brake failure. Stall regulations may also be installed but shall not be deemed sufficient system redundancy.
(f) Shadow Flicker. The WECS owner and operator shall make reasonable efforts to minimize shadow flicker to any occupied building on a non-participating landowner's property.
(g) Access. All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment must be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access. A tower may not have step bolts or a ladder within twelve (12) feet of the ground.
(h) Lighting. A WECS tower may not be artificially lighted unless lighting is required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
(i) Signage. No sign, other than a warning sign or installer, owner, or manufacturer identification sign, may be placed on any component of a WECS so as to be visible from any public right-of-way. Permitted signs shall be limited to four (4) square feet in area.
(Ord. 2009- 63. Passed 2-2-10.)