WECS Ordinance
Extracted standards
8 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Visual Simulations
Visual simulations taken from off-site views, including from adjacent properties, as determined by the Community Development Agency shall be submitted showing the site location with the proposed WECS installed on the proposed site.
Environmental
- Bird and Bat Study
All WECS projects shall require the submittal of a Bird and Bat Study prepared by a qualified consultant approved by the Marin County Environmental Coordinator using the 'California Guidelines for Reducing Impacts to Birds and Bats from Wind Energy Development' (California Energy Commission and California Department of Fish and Game), or any superseding State or Federal Guidelines, the State Natural Diversity Data Base, Partners in Flight Data Base, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and field data and counts from local environmental groups.
- Tree heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. and removal
The locations and heights of all trees taller than 15 feet within five times the height of the proposed WECS and the locations, heights, and diameters (at breast height) of all trees to be removed.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from wetlands and sensitive features
Location within a distance of five times the total height of the proposed WECS of all wetlands, ponds, lakes, waterbodies, watercourses, listed State or Federal special status species habitats, habitat islands, and designated archaeological or historical sites;
- Wind Measurement Study
A wind resource assessment study, prepared by a qualified consultant approved by the Marin County Environmental Coordinator, may be required. The study shall be performed for a minimum six-month period during prime wind season, at the proposed site prior to the acceptance of an application.
Noise
- Project-Specific Acoustical Analysis
A project-specific acoustical analysis may be required that would simulate the proposed WECS installation to assure acceptable noise levels and, if necessary, provide measures to comply with applicable County noise standards.
Other
- Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan
Before issuance of a building permit, the owner/operator of any discretionary WECS shall enter into a WECS Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan and Agreement with the County, outlining the anticipated means and cost of removing the WECS at the end of its serviceable life or upon becoming a discontinued use if it remains inoperable for a period of more than one year.
- Post-construction avian and bat monitoring
A post-construction avian and bat monitoring program may be required of the owner during periods of nesting, roosting, foraging, and migration.
From the ordinance
Location within a distance of five times the total height of the proposed WECS of all wetlands, ponds, lakes, waterbodies, watercourses, listed State or Federal special status species habitats, habitat islands, and designated archaeological or historical sites;