06/10/2009 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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cost of the WECS they want to install would be paid back within 10 years and that is not what has been suggested. Mr. Malone said he didn't think the issue at hand was whether or not the systems work, are efficient or how much they cost. The fact is there will be property owners asking to install these systems within our city and the city should regulate how that is done. Mr. Cotner agreed and said the systems being discussed are alternative supplemental energy sources, which is assisting the country in going green. You would never see a windmill farm set up in North Olmsted, the city is not a shoreline community and there is not enough wind or land for a wind farm. The city is sirnply preparing to regulate private systems which are coming. Mr. Crabs said the ordinance was based on the plane of the propeller being vertical and shaft being horizontal and there are other types of machines available which should also be addressed. Ms. McLaughlin said she is concerned for the health and safety of the city's children. She inquired as to what types of studies have been conducted to ensure their health is not at risk. She asked if the city had heard of wind turbine syndrome which is being studied, which affects the heart rate, sinuses, causes migraines and learning disabilities. Mr. Rerko said that there are a number of articles out addressing both pros and cons of the systems just as there was when the cell towers first arrived; however there has been no proof shown. Studies are continuously taking place are based on the electrical frequency and sounds which come off the systems. Based on that the sound decibels projected from the sizes addressed in the chapter axe lower/less than the decibel readings projected off air conditioning units of residential homes. Ms. McLaughlin questioned what affect wind turbines would have on wildlife (birds) in the area. Ms. Wenger said that the effects of small turbines on birds are minimal. Occasionally a bird may collide with a small unit just as it would with any other solid structure including buildings, windows or cars. Based on available information and the small size of systems proposed, she does not believe there would be a significant impact on local wildlife. Ms. McLaughlin questioned what impact a residential turbine would have on property value and insurance rates for both the owner and abutting owners and asked how far the blades would travel if one explodes. Mr. Lasko questioned if there was any record of a catastrophic failure of a wind turbine. Mr. Rerko said a failure he's familiar with was due to safety brakes failing on an industrial unit. When the structure buckled it fell forward into the ground. However he personally believes that if the movement of a blade is rotating upward and came lose it could be projected outside the fall zone. Ms. McLaughlin said online there was a graphic video from Denmark showing a system blade being projected outside a fall zone. Mr. Rerko said he was aquatinted with the video but that was a system which was 300 feet in diameter or more and the city can only address the smaller sizes under local zoning laws. Mr. Schumann requested 1153.05(a) read as follows: Medium WECS shall be permitted as a conditional use only within the Wind Energy Overlay District... It would clarify the intent of the section. Ms. Puinno said that she fought the installation of a cell tower at the high school due to health issues and this is no different. She spoke with Mr. Matson who said he was working on a grant and she asked the commission if that was taking place. Mr. Lasko asked Ms. Puinno to ask her question when the commission addressed Ordinance 2009-64 which would be the appropriate time. Ms. Puinno asked if the commissioners were experts in the medical field and if not where do residents go to get the answers related to health issues. Mr. Rerko said that there is much research of possible health issues; even in the cellular industry after 20 years of conducting studies there has been no determination if health issues arise from the use of cell phones or 7