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#14-3700 Wind Energy Conversion Systems <br /> March 5,2015 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Planning Commission Recommendations <br /> At its January 20 meeting the Planning Commission was asked to consider a number of questions <br /> related to the draft ordinance. Those questions and general comments and responses follow. For <br /> a more detailed review of each issue,please review the PC memo and minutes. <br /> 1. Ornamental Wind Turbines <br /> a. Should the installation of purely ornamental wind turbines be allowed?Yes <br /> b. If so, what standards should be applicable to their installation? <br /> - Should they be allowed only if they are non-functional, i.e. blades don't rotate? <br /> Ornamental wind turbines should be non-functional in terms of generating <br /> electricity, should not be made up of standard WECS components, should <br /> pro6ably be stationary, and should be limited in height; varied responses <br /> suggested mazimum height in the range of 8 feet to 15 feet <br /> - Should they be allowed if they contain a light or are illuminated by a separate light <br /> source? Not specifically addressed <br /> - Should they be treated as accessory structures or signage and subject to the <br /> pertinent standards for such uses? Most likely could be treated as accessory <br /> structures, but that would allow, for instance, an ornamental turbine as high <br /> as the house peak and setba back from lot lines perhaps only 10 feet - not <br /> necessarily desired... <br /> 2. Residential&Non-residential WECS <br /> a. Is there a desire on the part of the City or its residents to allow WECS of greater than <br /> 10 kW capacity within residential zoning districts? No, and there has been no <br /> demonstrable demand for WECS of greater capacity <br /> b. Is there a desire to allow WECS of any generating capacity within commercial or <br /> industrial districts within Orono? Is there a known demand for such use? No <br /> known demand has come forward; if they are allowed in commercial districts, <br /> they should be a conditional use, and standards established. <br /> c. Are the visual aspects and visual impacts of WECS a significant factor in whether <br /> WECS should be allowed in commercial/industrial areas? Yes - keep in mind we <br /> have few commercial areas and most of them are very close or adjacent to <br /> residential neighborhoods. <br /> 3. Height, Setback, Location Standazds. T'he Planning Commission recommendation in <br /> November 2013 was to limit WECS as follows: <br /> - only allowed in the RR-lA and RR-1B, 2-acre and 5-acre Rural Residential zones <br /> - not allowed in the Shoreland Overlay District, nor in wetlands or floodplains <br /> - minimum lot size of 10 acres (gross acreage) <br /> - setback to any property line of minimum 300 feet <br /> - must be within 150 feet of principal structure <br /> - hub height maximum 30', blade length m�imum 15'; maximum total height 45' <br />