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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,January 20,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> the City, and review height, location, and setback standards. The Planning Commission should also <br /> discuss whether distribution of electricity would be allowed to properties outside of the property that the <br /> WECS is located on and whether WECS should be an accessory use or a conditional use. <br /> Gaffron stated in relation to ornamental wind turbines,the City has one that was put in place that was <br /> purported to be ornamental along Highway 12. The turbine is roughly 15 to 20 feet in height and is <br /> purportedly not generating electricity. The existing alternative energy ordinance,while it bans the use of <br /> WECS, does not ban the installation of wind turbines themselves that are not connected to electrical <br /> feeder lines or the associated controls. <br /> Gaffron stated a list of definitions is included in Staffs memorandum. In most city codes,a wind turbine <br /> is defined as any piece of electrical generating equipment that converts the kinetic energy of blowing <br /> wind into electrical energy through the use of airfoils or similar devices to capture the wind. A residential <br /> wind turbine is capable of generating 10 kilowatt nameplate generating capacity or less. A small wind <br /> turbine is capable of producing 100 kW nameplate generating capacity or less. A utility wind turbine is a <br /> turbine capable of generating more than 100 kW nameplate generating capacity. A wind energy <br /> conversion system(WECS) is an electrical generating facility that consists of a wind turbine, feeder <br /> line(s), associated controls,and may include a tower. <br /> Gaffron stated a question has been raised as to whether a purely decorative or ornamental wind turbine or <br /> wind device functionally has the same potential visual and noise impacts as one that is part of a system. <br /> Assuming that the end result of this process is that a WECS will be allowed subject to certain standards, <br /> the existing code section that bans wind energy conversion systems will be removed and replaced with <br /> some defined standards. If the City decides to allow ornamental wind turbines, it will need to be spelled <br /> out that way in the code. <br /> Other cities' codes have used the following definition: Ornamental wind devices that are not a WECS <br /> shall be exempt from the provisions of this section and shall conform to other applicable provisions of <br /> this chapter and the City Code. <br /> Staff is also recommending that the definition terminology be revised so that the terms residential wind <br /> turbine, small wind turbine, and utility wind turbine, be listed as Residential WECS, small WECS, and <br /> Utility WECS, since their intended meanings relate to the complete system and not just the turbine. It <br /> also may be appropriate to include language in the code that acknowledges that WECS of 5000 kW <br /> nameplate capacity or greater are regulated by the state and not subject to this ordinance. <br /> Questions to answer regarding ornamental wind turbines are as follows: <br /> 1. Should the installation of purely ornamental wind turbines be allowed? <br /> 2. If so,what standards should be applicable to their installation? <br /> - Should they be allowed only if they are non-functional; i.e., blades do not rotate? <br /> - Should they be allowed if they contain a light or are illuminated by a separate light source? <br /> - Should they be treated as accessory structures or signage and subject to the pertinent <br /> standards for such uses? <br /> Page 2 of 21 <br />