(a) Procedure. A building permit shall be required for the installation of any WECS. For small and medium WECS, the administrative review and approval process shall follow the procedure described in Chapter 1126. For any WECS proposed in a designated historic district, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required in accordance with Chapter 165 of the Codified Ordinances prior to and as a prerequisite of the administrative review process described herein.
(b) Submittal Requirements. In addition to the applicable submittal requirements in Chapter 1126, each application for a WECS shall include the following:
(1) Applicant's name, contact information and evidence of site control;
(2) Address, permanent parcel number and zoning district of the subject property;
(3) Detailed site survey including:
A. Property lines and physical dimensions of the property,
B. Location, dimensions, and types of existing structures on the property,
C. Location of the proposed tower showing required fall zone and setback radii,
D. The right-of-way of any public road that is contiguous to the property,
E. Location of access roads,
F. Any overhead utility lines and any easement;
(4) Drawings and specifications including:
A. Description of all components of the WECS or met tower including the manufacturer, model, capacity, blade length, and total height,
B. Blueprints or drawings which have been approved by a registered professional engineer for any tower and tower foundation,
C. Simulated, scaled photographic perspectives showing the appearance of the structure and the placement of the WECS from neighboring properties and rights-of-way;
(5) Engineering certifications including:
A. An analysis from a licensed engineer showing how the WECS shall be designed, constructed and operated in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, standards and ordinances. Such analysis must include performance reports or certification obtained by or issued to the equipment manufacturer by independent testing agencies, such as Germanischer Lloyd, Underwriter Laboratories, or similar or must report the absence thereof.
B. A written certification from a licensed structural engineer that the tower has the structural integrity to carry the weight and wind loads of the WECS and have minimal vibration impacts on the structure. In the case of a building integrated WECS, a written certification from a licensed structural engineer that the existing structure onto which the building integrated WECS will be attached is capable of withstanding the additional load, force, torque, and vibration imposed by the system and will comply with structure provisions set out in applicable building codes;
C. A written certification from a licensed engineer confirming that the WECS is designed to not cause electrical, radio frequency, television and other communication signal interference.
D. A written maintenance plan with specific schedule and identification of service contractor to perform inspection and work. The maintenance plan must contain reference to and there is hereby imposed an obligation to provide annual maintenance status reports and Certificate of Insurance to the Building Commissioner as well as consent to its performance of inspections as needed.
(6) Evidence of liability insurance for small and medium WECS in an amount not less than one (1) million per person and three (3) million per occurrence, and for a duration of not less than one (1) year, sufficient to cover loss or damage to persons and property occasioned by the failure or malfunctioning of the system, including provisions for indemnification of the City;
(7) Any other information required by the City to determine if the standards in this Chapter and other applicable codes have been met.
(c) Expiration. A permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire if:
(1) The WECS is not installed and functioning within eighteen (18) months from the date the permit is issued; or
(2) The WECS is out of service or otherwise unused for a continuous twelve (12) month period.
(Ord. 2009-63. Passed 2-2-10.)