Chapter 17.140 — WIND TURBINE TOWERS

The purpose of these special permit criteria is to set forth guidelines and criteria by which specific applications for wind turbine towers are to be evaluated, in addition to the general conditional use permit criteria of the SMC.

The following criteria shall be applied to wind energy conversion systems consisting of a wind turbine, a tower, and associated control or conversion electronics which will be used primarily to reduce or offset on-site consumption of utility power:

A. Tower height shall be calculated from height above grade of the fixed portion of the tower, excluding the wind turbine.

B. A conditional use permit shall be required for all wind turbine towers.

C. Applications shall include a site plan and elevations including certification thereof by a Statelicensed professional mechanical, structural, or civil engineer.

D. All structural, electrical and mechanical components of the system shall conform to relevant and applicable local, State and national codes.

E. Applications shall include information demonstrating that the system will be used primarily to reduce or offset on-site consumption of electricity.

F. Applications shall include information demonstrating that the provider of electric utility service to the site has been informed of the applicant’s intent to install an interconnected customer-owned electricity generator, unless the applicant intends, and so states in the application, that the system will not be connected to the electricity grid.

G. Applications shall include information analyzing potential shadow flicker effects on neighboring properties.

H. Applications shall include information certifying that the facility will not cause any disruption or loss of radio, television, telephone or similar signals to neighboring properties.

I. A small wind turbine tower system shall only be located on a parcel that is a minimum of one acre in size.

J. A tower shall not be located closer to a property line than one and one-half times the height of the tower.

K. Tower height shall not exceed a maximum height of 55 feet in residential districts, and 65 feet in nonresidential districts, and shall comply with any applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

L. Towers and associated equipment shall be of a nonobtrusive color, and towers shall not be lighted unless required by the FAA or other agency.

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M. Except during short-term events including utility outages and severe wind storms, the system shall be designed, installed, and operated so that noise generated by the system does not exceed 55 dBA, as measured at the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling.

N. If electricity generated is terminated for 12 months or longer, the tower and all equipment associated with the system shall be removed.

O. In considering a conditional use permit, the Planning Commission shall have the authority to modify these standards based on specific characteristics of the property or the proposed installation, provided the Commission finds that such modifications are consistent with the intent of these regulations and of this title to promote harmonious land uses and minimization of adverse effects.

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