The purpose of this article is to provide standards for small
WTGs designed for home, farm and small commercial use on the same
parcel, and that are primarily used to reduce consumption of utility
power at that location. The intent of this article is to encourage
the development of small wind energy systems and to protect the public
health, safety and community welfare.
Applications for small WTG wind energy permits shall include:
A. Applicant information. Name, address and telephone number of the
applicant. If the applicant is represented by an agent, the application
shall include the name, address and telephone number of the agent
as well as an original signature of the applicant authorizing the
representation.
B. Property owner information and authorization. Name, address and telephone
number of the property owner. If the property owner is not the applicant,
the application shall include a letter or other written permission
signed by the property owner:
(1) Confirming
that the property owner is familiar with the proposed applications;
and
(2) Authorizing
the submission of the application.
C. Site information. Address of each proposed tower location, including
tax map section, block and lot number.
D. Height information. Evidence that the proposed tower height does
not exceed the height recommended by the manufacturer or distributor
of the system.
E. Electrical drawing. A line drawing of the electrical components of
the system in sufficient detail to allow for a determination that
the manner of installation conforms to the Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code.
F. Electric use. Sufficient information demonstrating that the system
will be used primarily to reduce consumption of electricity at that
location.
G. Utility notice. Written evidence that the electric utility service
provider that serves the proposed site has been informed of the applicant's
intent to install an interconnected customer-owned electricity generator,
unless the applicant does not plan, and so states so in the application,
to connect the system to the electricity grid.
H. Visual analysis. A visual analysis of the small WTG as installed,
which may include a computerized photographic simulation, demonstrating
the visual impacts from nearby strategic vantage points. The visual
analysis shall also indicate the color treatment of the system's
components and any visual screening incorporated into the project
that is intended to lessen the system's visual prominence.
All small WTGs shall comply with the following standards. Additionally,
such systems shall also comply with all the requirements established
by other sections of this article that are not in conflict with the
requirements contained in this section.
A. Lot size. A system shall be located on a lot a minimum of 0.8 acre
in size; however, this requirement can be met by multiple owners submitting
a joint application.
B. Number. Two small wind energy system towers per legal lot shall be
allowed, unless there are multiple applicants, in which case their
joint lots shall be treated as one lot for purposes of this article.
C. Use. Small wind energy systems shall be used primarily to reduce
the on-site consumption of electricity.
D. Height. Tower heights may be allowed as follows:
(1) Sixty-five feet or less on parcels between one and five acres.
(2) Eighty feet or less on parcels of five or more acres.
(3) The allowed height shall be reduced if necessary to comply with all
applicable federal aviation requirements, including Subpart B (commencing
with Section 77.11) of Part 77 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations regarding installations close to airports.
E. Output. The maximum turbine power output is limited to 10 kW.
F. Color. The system's tower and blades shall be painted a nonreflective,
unobtrusive color that blends the system and its components into the
surrounding landscape to the greatest extent possible and incorporate
nonreflective surfaces to minimize any visual disruption.
G. Visual impact. The system shall be designed and located in such a
manner to minimize adverse visual impacts from public viewing areas.
H. Lighting. Exterior lighting on any structure associated with the
system shall not be allowed except that which is specifically required
by the Federal Aviation Administration.
I. Electric lines. All on-site electrical wires associated with the
system shall be installed underground except for "tie-ins" to a public
utility company and the public utility company transmission poles,
towers and lines. This standard may be modified by the decision maker
if the project terrain is determined to be unsuitable due to reasons
of excessive grading, biological impacts or similar factors.
J. Electromagnetic interference. The system shall be operated such that
no disruptive electromagnetic interference is caused. If it has been
demonstrated that a system is causing harmful interference, the system
operator shall promptly mitigate the harmful interference or cease
operation of the system.
K. Signs. At least one sign shall be posted on the tower at a height
of five feet warning of electrical shock or high voltage and harm
from revolving machinery. No brand names, logo or advertising shall
be placed or painted on the tower, rotor, generator or tail vane where
it would be visible from the ground, except that a system or tower's
manufacturer's logo may be displayed on a system generator housing
in an unobtrusive manner.
L. Access control. Towers shall be constructed to provide one of the
following means of access control, or other appropriate method of
access:
(1) Tower climbing apparatus located no closer than 12 feet from the
ground.
(2) A locked anti-climb device installed on the tower.
(3) A locked, protective fence at least six feet in height that encloses
the tower.
M. Anchors. Anchor points for any guy wires for a system tower shall
be located within the property that the system is located on and not
on or across any aboveground electric transmission or distribution
lines. The point of attachment for the guy wires shall be enclosed
by a fence six feet high or sheathed in bright orange or yellow covering
from three feet to eight feet above the ground.
N. Code compliance. All small wind energy system tower structures shall
be designed and constructed to be in compliance with pertinent provisions
of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
O. Controls. All small wind energy systems shall be equipped with manual
and automatic overspeed controls. The conformance of rotor and overspeed
control design and fabrication with good engineering practices shall
be certified by the manufacturer.
A small wind energy system shall comply with the following standards:
A. Setbacks. A small WTG shall not be located closer to a property line
than 1.1 times the total height of the small WTG and 1.5 times to
the nearest off-site permanent structure.
B. Noise. Except during short-term events, including utility outages
and severe wind storms, a small WTG shall be designed, installed and
operated so that noise generated by the system shall not exceed 50
decibels (dBA), as measured at the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling.
All small WTG shall be maintained in good condition and in accordance
with all requirements of this section.