All wind energy systems located in the city shall be subject to the following regulations.
(A) Engineer’s certification. Applications for a wind energy system shall include detailed structural plans and specifications for the foundation, tower and mountings certified by a registered engineer.
(B) Minimum setback. The minimum setback from the base of a wind energy system tower to the closest property line of the system site shall be equal to the total height of the system tower.
(C) Step bolts or ladders. A wind energy system 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 ten feet above the ground.
(D) Electrical wires. All electrical wires associated with a wind energy system, other than wires necessary to connect the wind generator to the tower wiring, the tower wiring to the disconnect junction box and the grounding wires shall be located underground.
(E) Lighting. A wind tower and generator shall not be artificially lighted unless such lighting is required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
(F) Appearance, color and finish. A wind energy system shall remain the painted or finished color or finish that was originally applied by the manufacturer.
(G) Tower style. Monopole wind energy system towers are preferred, but the Board of Adjustment may approve towers of other styles if the necessity for another style is established.
(H) Minimum lot size. The minimum size lot upon which a wind energy system may be placed is three acres.
(I) Shadow flicker. No wind energy system shall be installed and operated so as to cause a shadow flicker to fall on any existing residential structure, except that of the owner of the system.
(J) Controls. Each wind energy system shall be equipped with both an automatic and manual braking, governing, or feathering system to prevent uncontrolled rotation, overspeeding and excessive pressure on the tower structure, rotor blades or turbine components, and there shall be a clearly marked and easily accessible shutoff for the wind turbine.
(K) Electromagnetic interference. All wind energy systems shall be designed and constructed so as not to cause radio or television interference. If it is determined that a system is causing electromagnetic interference, the owner shall take the necessary corrective action to eliminate this interference, including relocation or removal of the facilities, subject to the approval of the city.
(L) Building mounting prohibited. No wind energy system tower or blades shall be affixed to a building or any other structure except a tower designed to support the equipment.
(Prior Code, § 8-8-9) (Ord. 712, passed 11-1-2010) Penalty, see § 10.99