Laserfiche WebLink
tower with only one carrier attached is structurally strong enough to accommodate a WECS. Ms. <br />Meredith asked if the mall designed their light poles to handle WECS would they be allowed <br />more than one in their parking lot as the chapter states there can not be more than one per lot. <br />Ms. Wenger said, without a variance each lot would only be allowed one WECS. <br />Section 1153.03 Development Standards for Small and Medium WECS: Mr. Lasko <br />questioned noise levels permitted in the codified ordinances compared to the maximum levels <br />listed in the new chapter. Mr. Mitchell said the proposed decibel readings are compatible with <br />Chapter 555.04. It states from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm in residential two family multi family district <br />maximum decibel readings of 60 dB(A). In a residential public space open areas 8:00 pm to 9:00 <br />am 50 dB(A) with all readings being measured at the lot line. Mr. Rerko said a residential <br />HVAC condensing unit sound level is 60 dB(A) to 65 dB(A), dishwasher or refrigerators are 35 <br />dB(A) to 40 dB(A) and highways are 100 dB(A) or more. Ms. Wenger said as wind increases <br />the noise level of the WECS increases, as would ambient noise levels. Mr. Lasko questioned <br />ambient noise levels and Mr. Rerko said ambient levels on a street are about 70 dB(A). <br />Section 1153.04 Additional Regulations for Small WECS: Mr. Lasko said in addition to the <br />WECS being a conditional use and having minimum land requirements of 1 acre, the setback <br />requirements also control the potential height of a wind turbine. <br />Section 1153.05 Additional Regulations for Medium WECS: Mr. Lasko repeated that in <br />addition to the WECS being a conditional use and having minimum land requirements of 5 acres, <br />a 150 foot high turbine's required setback from a residential property line would be 225 feet. If <br />this ordinance is adopted, by virtue of the conditional use requirement no WECS small or <br />medium is automatically assured the right to be installed on either a 1 or 5 acre lot. An applicant <br />must meet all conditions the commission may require as well as any additional conditions city <br />council believes to be necessary before a conditional use permit is granted. Mr. O'Malley said <br />Chapter 1118 regulated the conditional use review and noted that a permitted use would not be <br />subject to such a review. Ms. Meredith said Chapter 1118 was recently updated and gives the <br />city the resources to revoke the permit if the conditions are not met or maintained. <br />Section 1153.06 Building Integrated WECS: Mr. Malone questioned if solar power would be <br />addressed similarly to wind, and if they would be permitted on buildings in all districts. Ms. <br />Wenger said there is no zoning regulation of solar panels other than building code requirements. <br />However wind because of its nature, particularly its greater potential impact on surrounding <br />property, requires additional scrutiny thereby requiring the zoning code regulations. It is clear <br />that technology can and is constantly changing in form and design. The code is a good starting <br />point and if a good design is presented for mounting a system on a roof which does not meet the <br />zoning requirements but makes sense and is structurally sound, a variance can be sought. Mr. <br />Rerko said an issue to look at is sound or vibration transmission when WECS axe mounted on a <br />building or structural column, as any noise or frequencies created will vibrate throughout the <br />entire building and be felt through the structural system. Such noise or frequencies are created <br />by a system which is not properly maintained. He suggested requiring WECS to have a separate <br />mounting system when attaching building integrated systems as well as requiring periodic <br />maintenance inspections.