Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/05/2014

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1. The city council may increase the height of a small scale WECS up to an overall height of 100 feet if the applicant is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city council that the surrounding topography, structures, vegetation, and other factors make the height limit for a complying WECS impractical. 2. A micro -scale WECS is limited to 25 feet taller than the structure to which it is mounted and can be no taller than the maximum building height of the underlying zoning district. A variance, processed in accordance with section 117 -53 (Variance procedures) is required for any micro -Scale WECS proposed to be taller than these restrictions. d. Blade clearance. Any WECS blade shall maintain a minimum ground clearance of 30 feet. e. Restricted climbing apparatus. Any WECS tower shall be designed to have removable climbing apparatuses a minimum of 25 feet from the ground. All climbing apparatus within 25 feet of the ground must be removed when not being serviced. f. Site location in residential districts. A WECS may only be located in the rear yard in the R -1, R -2, and R -3 residential districts. 1. The city council may approve a WECS in the front yard if the Applicant is able to demonstrate setbacks would be unable to be met in the rear yard. Design standards. A proposed or modified WECS shall meet the following minimum design standards. a. Tower design. Any WECS shall be of a monopole design unless the city council determines that an alternative design is preferred in cases where structural or design considerations, neighborhood compatibility, or location availability is better suited with an alternate design. b. Architectural design. Any WECS shall be designed to blend into the surrounding environment through the use of color and design, except in instances where the color is dictated by federal or state authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration. 1. Architectural design standards are subject to fmal city council approval. 2. The city council may deny a WECS if it determines the design standards are incompatible with the surrounding area. (4) Use of city owned land for WECS. a. Priority of users. 1. City of Ramsey; 2. Public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire, and ambulance services, which are not part of the City of Ramsey and private entities with a public safety agreement with the city; 3. Other governmental agencies, for uses which are not related to public safety; and 4. Entities providing licensed commercial wireless telecommunication services including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobilized radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobilized radio (ESMR), paging, and similar services that are marketed to the general public or wireless telecommunication services. 5. Entities providing alternative energy sources including WECS. b. Minimum requirements. (3)