17.08.050, 17.08.290, 17.08.320
Uses
Conditional / special use2
Accessory1
Extracted standards
29 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Other
- Access doors lockable
If an NC-WES is equipped with access doors, all access doors shall be lockable.
- Animals controlled to prevent straying
All grazing animals shall be controlled in a manner that prevents them from straying onto unauthorized property.
- Blade clearance from ground and structures15 ft
No part of an NC-WES blade shall extend within 15 feet of the ground, trees, or any other structure.
- Climbing apparatus heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.15 ft
All climbing apparatus must be located at least 15 feet above the ground, and the tower must be designed to prevent climbing within the first 15 feet.
- Muted colors
The colors used in the construction materials or finished surface shall be muted and visually compatible with surrounding development.
- Not in easements
Shall not be located within or over drainage, utility, or other established easements.
- FAA compliance required
The NC-WES shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
- Barbed wire allowed, razor wire prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
Barbed wire is acceptable on the top of the perimeter fence to provide site security, but razor wire is prohibited.
- Free range grazing prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
Free range grazing of animal herds is prohibited within the city limits.
- Grazing on owned or permitted property
All grazing shall occur on property owned by the herder or with express written permission of the property owner.
- Perimeter landscaping required
Per the direction of the planning director, the applicant shall install landscaping along the perimeter of the project site for screening purposes.
- Lighting only if required by FAA
Lighting of the tower shall only be permitted if required by, and done in conformance with, the requirements of the FAA.
- Location behind primary building, 30 ft from property line30 ft
Behind the primary building within the buildable area of the parcel (exclusive of required front, side, and rear yard areas), and located a minimum of 30 feet from any property line.
- Maintenance required
NC-WES shall be maintained in an operational condition that poses no potential safety hazards.
- Maximum blade rotor area diameter24 ft
The overall diameter of the blade area shall not exceed 24 feet.
- Maximum tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. on parcels greater than 5 acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.80 ft
Parcels greater than 5 acres in size may have a maximum tower height of 80 feet.
- Maximum tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. on parcels 5 acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones. or less65 ft
Tower height shall not exceed 65 feet above grade on any parcel of 5 acres or less.
- Minimum lot size for NC-WES40,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
The minimum parcel size shall be 40,000 square feet.
- Maximum noise level65 dBA
Noise from an NC-WES shall not exceed 65 decibels at any property line.
- No unscreened outdoor storage
No unscreened outdoor storage of any kind shall be allowed on the site.
- Prevent over-grazing and dust control
The owner of said grazing animals is responsible for ensuring that the animals are moved regularly to prevent the removal of all vegetation.
- Manual and automatic overspeed controls
An NC-WES shall be equipped with both manual and automatic overspeed controls to limit the blade rotation speed to within the design limits of the NC-WES.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from power lines equal to heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
Each wind turbine shall be setback from the nearest above-ground public communication or electrical line by a distance which is equivalent to the height of the wind turbine.
- Removal within 6 months of cessation6 months
Within 6 months after the operation of an NC-WES has ceased the permittee shall remove the NC-WES.
- Restroom facilities required
Restroom facilities shall be provided on the project site for use by maintenance staff.
- Right-of-way dedication
Per the direction of the director of public works, the applicant shall dedicate right-of-way for all necessary street improvements.
- Sign requirements
One sign, limited to 18 inches in length and 12 inches in height, shall be posted at the base of the Tower.
- Wind turbine approval required
Wind turbines must be approved under the emerging technologies program of the state energy commission or any other small wind certification program recognized by the AWEA.
- Visual effects assessment
Any NC-WES that is placed within the view shed of a designated scenic highway or vista shall be assessed for its visual effects.
From the ordinance
Grazing allowed as accessory use; solar farms require CUP; NC-WES subject to director's review.