Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/24/2009

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2) Discussion of Wind Turbines Associate Planner Gladhill noted that there have been some inquiries about wind turbines, which isn't addressed in our City Code, so the only process where it can be put up is with an IUP. He stated that staff is looking for broad policy direction. He noted that there is a proposed ordinance for a preliminary moratorium on tonight's Council agenda, so the City can get a policy in the books before any applications come in. He stated that, as was seen in the previous case, the City should have a policy in place before an actual application comes in. Mayor Ramsey stated that he thinks they should be allowed in the City and feels restricting them based on property size would be appropriate. He stated that he doesn't think they should be allowed to be constructed where, if they would happen to fall, they would fall off the property or onto the home structure. He stated that he does feel there needs to be a height limit. Associate Planner Gladhill stated that during the cell tower ordinance there was significant discussion about height. He suggested that the discussion start at 120 feet, which is how high the cell towers can go. He stated that due to the wind conditions in the area, he doesn't expect there to be a lot of requests for wind turbines. Community Development Director Miller suggested that there could be two different standards for commercial and residential. Mayor Ramsey stated that he feels anything over 100 feet should require a CUP. Associate Planner Gladhill suggested that all of the wind turbines would require a CUP. Councilmember Dehen stated that he doesn't think he would want to see someone throw up something next to him that looks like hell. He stated that he isn't sure that this appropriate for residential areas. Councilmember Wise stated that he has researched this issue already because he considered putting one in at his store. He stated that there are a lot of different designs and noted that the one he was looking at kind of looks like an oversized squirrel cage. He stated that in some cases they can be built right into your house, so there is a lot of new technology out there. He stated that he doesn't want to impede somebody from putting a wind turbine on their roof. He stated that 20 years ago, almost everyone had antennae towers attached to their roof and that wasn't unsightly. He suggested that this may be part of the evolution of society and power resources. Councilmember Elvig suggested that staff come back with policy ideas and research on what is out there. He stated that he would also like to see how to get out of it before the City gets into it, for example, if the towers are rusty and not being used, how does the City get them taken down. Councilmember Jeffrey asked how long the proposed moratorium is to be and asked that staff keep the Council updated on the timeline, so the discussion doesn't happen too late in the process. City Council Work Session / February 24, 2009 Page 5 of7