Laserfiche WebLink
<br />d\J- <br /> <br />City Council Work Session <br />Topic Report: Discussion of Wind Turbines <br />By: Tim Gladhill <br /> <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />In 2008, the City Council approved an amendment to City Code Section 9.15 (Towers). This <br />section provides regulations specifically for wireless telecommunication facilities. Wind <br />turbines do not meet the definition or intent of this section of City Code and are not listed as a <br />permitted or conditional use anywhere in City Code. Based on discussion, it was determined that <br />wind turbines were best suited for a separate section of City Code because of differing height and <br />setback needs in comparison to cell towers. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />Staff is proposing adding a new section to City Code, Section 9.17 (Wind Turbines) should the <br />City Council choose to permit the construction of wind turbines. As it stands today, Staff could <br />not approve a permit for a wind turbine unless City Code is amended to include regulations for <br />wind turbines and listing such as a permitted or conditional use. In comparison, cell towers are <br />listed as a conditional use and therefore subject to a conditional use permit. Staff recommends <br />doing the same for wind turbines. <br /> <br />. Staff is seeking direction on the placement, height, and architectural standards of these towers as <br />well as whether or not these should be a permitted or conditional use. Staff anticipates some sort <br />of hybrid between the existing Towers Ordinance and the attached model Wind Turbine <br />Ordinance. <br /> <br />Staff is seeking direction on what zoning districts to allow wind turbines, including the existing <br />tower overlay district. Cell towers are currently allowed in most commercial and industrial areas <br />and only those residential parcels within the Tower Overlay District. Also, there is a large range <br />of height needs for these wind turbines depending on whether it is a small scale or utility scale <br />generator. These heights can range from 40-50 feet to several hundred feet. <br /> <br />A case on tonight's City Council Meeting Agenda includes an Interim Ordinance fora <br />moratorium on wind turbines to allow the City to complete a study and consider amendments to <br />City Code related to these turbines. <br /> <br />During this time, Staff will be studying industry standards, existing ordinances, etc. Staff <br />anticipates completing the study, drafting the new ordinance, and implementing the ordinance <br />within six months of enacting the moratorium. State Statute allows moratoriums to be enacted <br />for a one year period. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow staff time to study including <br />wind turbines in City Code should the City Council choose to allow these structures while not <br />creating a potential non-conforming situation should a wind turbine be allowed before the <br />ordinance is enacted. <br /> <br />-27- <br />