08/12/2009 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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North Olmsted. Parcel Numbers; 236-12-004, 236-13-006, 236-13-007, 236-16-013, 236-16-014, and 234-06-006. Mr. Lasko recused himself from discussion pertaining to both Ordinance 2009-64 and Ordinance 2009-86 as the Wind Overlay District includes school parcels and he is a member of the Board of Education. Vice Chair Meredith conducted the meeting for the discussion of the two ordinances. Ms. Wenger said 2009-64 is the companion piece to the proposed zoning text. It establishes areas, as an overlay district, where medium wind energy conversion systems could be located if a conditianal use permit is granted. The overlay is limited to select light industrial parcels and select public properties. Ordinance 2009-86 would add additional parcels of land to the Wind Energy Overlay District. The parcels include the City owned Barton Bradley Park and parcels owned by the GCRTA which comprise the Park and Ride facility on Great Northern Boulevard. RTA requested their inclusion. Mr. Bohlmann said he did not agree that WECS systems should be allowed to be up to 170 feet tall in residential neighborhoods where public schools are located. He understood including Springvale, light industrial parcels and the waste water treatment plant but not the schools. Although he would not object to the schools installing integrated WECS on the buildings, this would be no different then allowing cell towers on school grounds. Ms. Wenger reviewed that those parcels listed to be included in the overlay district have been identified as being appropriate for that use subject to a conditional use permit and requirements in the new chapter 1153. Mr. Bohlmann felt that aesthetically a 170 foot tower would be unsightly and the noise would be irritating. He recommended considering solar power. Mrs. Meredith disagreed that they would be unsightly and the fact that the areas schools means WECS will provide cost savings for the schools and ultimately the taxpayers. Although the school sites are within the overlay district it doesn't preclude the schools from installing a building integrated or small WECS, nor is any parcel listed within the overlay district guaranteed a conditional use permit. Mr. Bohlmann voiced that he strongly objected to allowing medium size WECS in residential neighborhoods. Mr. Cotner said he has seen multiple buildings downtown installing solar panels and questioned if they were allowed. There has been no wind study conducted so how does anyone know if there is enough wind power to justify such towers. Ms. Wenger said solar power is addressed through the building permit process and doesn't require regulation in the zoning code. Mr. Malone appreciates that not a lot of residents would want wind turbines near their backyard, but the ordinance provides failsafe mechanisms through the zoning chapter and the requirement of seeking a conditional use permit. Mr. Rerko agreed with Mr. Malone and noted that even after 25 years solar panels have not shown a payback and WECS take less than 10 years for some systems. All medium applications will have to go through a detailed review by both the Commission and City Council. Mrs. Meredith said with the pace that wind technology is evolving the city needs to be cautious that they don't regulate wind energy opportunities out of the city before they fully comprehend the benefits it can provide. Mr. Bohlmann asked if the city turned down a conditional use permit, could it be taken to court. Mr. O'Malley advised that the city establishes the overlay district and sets the parameters such as lot sizes, acreage, heights and setbacks, then the conditional use permit is an additional restriction. The ordinance allows building integrated WECS as a matter of right without review and then small and medium 9