Dimensional standards
Lot
Servicing
- Geographic extent
- Applies in all districts where wind energy conversion systems are permitted
Uses
Conditional / special use1
Extracted standards
12 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Other
- Nonreflective matte finish required
All portions of a wind energy conversion system shall be of a nonreflective white, black, galvanized steel, aluminum or other matte-finish color designed to blend with the surrounding environment.
- Redundant braking system required
All systems shall be equipped with a redundant braking system that engages at wind speeds in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications so as to minimize the potential for wind damage to the system or its supporting structure.
- Electrical connections underground or hidden
All electrical controls, control wiring and power lines shall be located underground or otherwise hidden from view.
- No illumination unless required by FAA
No portion of a system shall be illuminated unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Minimum lot areaMinimum lot areaThe smallest parcel on which the district allows anything to be built. for freestanding systems outside residential districts40,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
For freestanding wind energy conversion systems outside of residential districts, forty thousand (40,000) square feet plus an additional twenty thousand (20,000) square feet for each such system in excess of one (1).
- Minimum rotor clearance for horizontal-axis turbines25 ft
The minimum rotor clearance of freestanding wind energy conversion systems shall be twenty-five (25) feet above ground level for systems incorporating horizontal-axis turbines and ten (10) feet for systems incorporating vertical-axis turbines.
- Minimum rotor clearance for vertical-axis turbines10 ft
The minimum rotor clearance of freestanding wind energy conversion systems shall be twenty-five (25) feet above ground level for systems incorporating horizontal-axis turbines and ten (10) feet for systems incorporating vertical-axis turbines.
- Maximum noise level at property line55 dBA
The highest level of noise generated by the system, as measured at any adjoining property line, shall not exceed an A-weighted decibel level of 55 dB(A).
- Maximum projection above roofline for roof-mounted systems8 ft
Roof-mounted wind energy conversion systems may project a maximum of eight (8) feet above the roofline of the structure on which they are located unless a greater height is allowed by the conditional use permit.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from property line or right-of-way110 percent of tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
No tower in any freestanding wind energy conversion system shall be located closer to any property line or public right-of-way than a distance equal to one hundred ten (110) percent of the height of the tower or the setback specified in the applicable district regulations, whichever is greater.
- No signage except safety and warning signs
No signage, other than safety and warning signs, shall be allowed.
- Monopole construction required
All freestanding towers shall be of monopole construction, without guy wires or visible anchors, unless allowed by the conditional use permit.
From the ordinance
Wind energy conversion systems shall be subject to the following requirements: