[Ord. 4-1982, 3/1/1982]
Unless otherwise indicated, the following words shall be construed
to have the meaning hereinafter indicated. The singular shall include
the plural and the plural shall include the singular.
A WECS which is electrically connected to the local electrical
power utility system and could feed power back into the local electrical
power utility system.
The maximum wind speed, as designated by the WECS manufacturer
or estimated by the owner/builder, at which a WECS, in unattended
operation (not necessarily producing power) is designed to survive
without damage to any structural component or loss of the ability
to function normally.
A machine that converts kinetic energy in the wind to a usable
form; WECS are sometimes referred to as windmills or wind turbines.
[Ord. 4-1982, 3/1/1982]
1.Â
From and after the effective date of this article, it shall be unlawful
for any person to erect, construct or maintain any WECS within the
Township of Thornbury, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, without first
having obtained a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer of the
Township. Applications therefore shall be made in triplicate upon
a form to be furnished by the Secretary and shall be accompanied by
a fee as shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors
and all applications and accompanying documents shall be reviewed
and approved by the Township Engineer.
2.Â
The application shall also be accompanied by the following:
A.Â
A satisfactory plan or sketch of the applicant's property showing
the location of overhead electrical transmission or distribution lines,
whether utilized or not, and the location of the WECS with its specific
dimensions, including the entire area through which the rotor(s) may
pass, the location of any guy wires or other support devices, and
the location of all occupied dwelling units within 300 feet of the
WECS.
B.Â
Design plans and specifications, including structured and electrical
calculations and details, sufficient to demonstrate that the proposed
WECS shall be in conformity with the specifications and regulations
contained in this article. Where the WECS is proposed to have a height
of 25 feet or higher (tip of blade to ground level) or an electrical
generating capacity of 5 KW or larger, the plans and specifications
shall be sealed by a professional engineer registered in Pennsylvania.
C.Â
In the case of WECS to be interconnected with the power grid of the
local electrical power utility, the applicant shall provide proof
of written notice to the utility of the proposed interconnection,
and the utility's approval thereof.
[Ord. 4-1982, 3/1/1982]
1.Â
No WECS shall be constructed unless it shall conform to the following
standards and specifications:
A.Â
Electrical Design. Each WECS shall be constructed so that:
(1)Â
There is no emission which would cause static or interference
with signals from radio or television broadcasts.
(2)Â
It shall conform to Federal Communication Commission Rules,
47 CFR, Parts 15 and 18.
(3)Â
It shall conform to all requirements of the National Electrical
Code (including, but not limited to, grounding and lightning arresters).
(4)Â
It shall, where interconnected to a local electrical power utility,
meet such utility's requirements for voltage, frequency, regulation,
synchronization and phasing.
B.Â
Structural Design. The WECS foundation, structure and rotor shall
be designed for a 100 m.p.h. survival wind speed and shall comply
with the applicable portions of the latest edition of the BOCA Basic
Building Code, American Institute of Steel Construction, American
Institute of Timber Construction, the Aluminum Association, American
Welding Society and the American Concrete Institute. In cases of conflict,
the strictest requirement shall govern.
C.Â
Warning Lights. Where required by the Federal Aeronautics Administration,
the structure shall be equipped with approved aircraft warning lights.
D.Â
Safety Features.
(1)Â
The WECS structure shall be fenced and/or provided with a structured
device sufficient to prevent its being climbed by unauthorized parties
(including children to whom the structure could be an attractive hazard).
(2)Â
The WECS rotor shall be located on the tower or support structure
so that the minimum blade clearance above ground level is 15 feet.
[Ord. 4-1982, 3/1/1982]
1.Â
All WECS shall conform with front, side and rear yard setback requirements
specified in the applicable zoning regulations for principal buildings.
2.Â
No WECS shall be constructed closer to any property line or right-of-way
for overhead electrical transmission or distribution lines than the
height thereof (tip of blade to ground level).
[Ord. 4-1982, 3/1/1982]
The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue the permit required by this article only when the appropriate fee has been paid and when the plans and documents required by § 13-102, Subsection 2, hereof shall have been reviewed and approved for conformity with the requirements of this article by the Township Engineer.
[Ord. 4-1982, 3/1/1982; as amended by Ord. 7-1996, 8/7/1996,
§ XI(19); and by Ord. 2-2005, 7/6/2005]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this article, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before
a District Justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary
offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall
be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and,
in default of payment of said fine and cost, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues
or each section of this article which shall be found to have been
violated shall constitute a separate offense.
