[Adopted 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 09-2]
This article shall be referred to as the "Weisenberg Township
Small Wind Energy System Ordinance."
The purpose of this article is to:
A. Oversee the permitting of small wind energy systems.
B. Preserve and protect public health and safety without significantly
increasing the cost or decreasing the efficiency of a small wind energy
system.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated in this section. All other terms shall be as defined in Chapter
500, Zoning. of the Township Code, as amended.
TOTAL HEIGHT
The vertical distance from ground level to the tip of a wind
generator blade when the tip is at its highest point.
WIND ENERGY SYSTEM
Equipment that converts and then stores or transfers energy
from the wind into usable forms of energy. This equipment includes
any base, blade, foundation, generator, nacelle, rotor, tower, transformer,
vane, wire, inverter, batteries or other components used in the system.
WIND GENERATOR
Blades and associated mechanical and electrical conversion
components mounted on top of the tower.
WIND TOWER
The monopole, freestanding structure that supports a wind
generator.
A small wind energy system shall be a permitted as an accessory
use in all zoning districts.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation
continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense.
The provisions of this article are severable, and the invalidity
of any section, subdivision, paragraph, or other part of this article
shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remainder of
the article.
The provisions of this article shall become effective on the
fifth day following enactment.