01/05/2010 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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.# The Building, Zoning and Development Committee met on December 22, 2009 at 7:04 PM to discuss Ordinances 2009-63, 64, 86 & 100. Present at this meeting were committee members Barker, Gareau and Jones, Council members Brossard, Kearney and Orlowski with Planning Director Wenger and Assistant Law Director O'Malley. Ordinance 2009-63 is an Ordinance creating new chapter 1153 (Wind Energy Conversion Systems) of the North Olmsted zoning code in order to permit and establish regulations for the use of wind energy conversion systems (WECS) in the City of North Olmsted. Ordinances 2009-64, 86 & 100 are to provide for the amendment of the zone map of the City of North Olmsted in order to supplementally zone the hereinafter identified parcels of real property so as to include them within the wind energy overlay district ("WEOD") of the City of North Olmsted. To give a little history regarding Ordinances 2009-63 & 64 they were originally introduced May 19th 2009. They were then sent to the Planning and Design Commission. This doesn't count the many hours in preparation by Ms. Wenger our Planning Director and the Law Department in writing the language. While in the Planning and Design's hands it went through meetings June 10tH, July 8th and approved by Planning and Design the 12th of August. 2009-63 & 64 then came back to Council and there was a public hearing for these two ordinances on the 25th of August. Ordinance's 2009-86 was introduced August 4tH and 2009-100 on September 15Y. There was a public hearing for those on the 27th of October. BZD meetings were set up for all four Ordinances for the 2"d of December and the 22"d of December. December 2"d's meeting was a good and informal meeting and we went over all of the amendments suggested by the Planning and Design Commission. Ordinance 2009-63 creates a new Chapter for wind conversion. Some of the reasons for this new chapter are: Respond to chanees in technoloev. The City's zoning code is often revised and updated to reflect new types of development and new technologies not contemplated when the zoning code was initially drafted. A decade ago, we did cell towers. Be prepared. The federal government and the State of Ohio are setting benchmarks for the incorporation of renewable, alternative energy sources at a utility scale. They are also providing incentives for its use on a smaller scale and local level. Public and private benefit. Benefits to the community include reduced pressure on the local electric grid, reduced pollutants from traditional energy sources, increased local energy independence, reduced peak energy demand, and increased choices for residents. Benefits to the property owner include personal energy independence, free electricity after recouping costs, reliable electricity, enhanced property values, and promoting sustainable energy choices. With the many meetings held there was great resident attendance. The meetings that I attended there was a well mixed group of people with many different opinions and ideas. Many of the ideas that came from the audience participation have been incorporated into this Ordinance. Some of the highlights are as follows.