03-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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14-3700 SWECS January 16,2015 Page 3 Questions to be answered: a. Should the installation of purely ornamental wind turbines be allowed? b. If so, what standards should be applicable to their installation? - Should they be allowed only if they are non-functional, i.e. blades don't rotate? - Should they be allowed if they contain a light or are illuminated by a separate light source? - Should they be treated as accessory structures or signage and subject to the pertinent standards for such uses? 2. Residential vs Non-residential WECS. The existing code in the definitions section identifies three distinct levels of WECS based on generating capacity: < 10 kW: Residential Wind Turbine < 100 kW: Small Wind Turbine > 100 kW: Utility Wind Turbine These capacity range designations are identical to those used in most other municipal ordinances reviewed. � Residential Wind Turbines (<10 kW generating capacity) in many ordinances are the only WECS allowed in residential zoning districts, regardless of lot size, WECS height or setbacks. In some ordinances, Small Wind Turbines (< 100 kV� are allowed in residential districts. The MPCA model ordinance additionally defines "Micro-WECS" as those with a nameplate generating capacity of 2 kW or less, mounted on a tower of 70 feet or less. None of the municipal ordinances reviewed has included this category. The wind turbine erected in the Rest Point neighborhood would fall into this category. Residential Wind Turbines are primarily designed to provide power to a single residence, while Sma11 Wind Turbines might serve a single business or a group of homes. Utility Wind Turbines are primarily designed as electric power generators for utility systems or wholesale power markets. Typical residential home electricity consumption in Minnesota (per the US Energy Information Administration) is about 800 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month, or 25-30 kWh per day. (One kWh = 1,000 Watts for a one-hour period). A 10 kW wind generator operating continuously at full capacity might light as many as 60 150-watt light bulbs. A 1.5 kW `Micro-WECS' might operate one 1500-watt microwave oven. As generating capacity increases, the size and required height of a WECS will increase. The efficiency of a WECS relies on a wide variety of factors, not the least of which is sustained, unobstructed winds, which results in the need for greater heights and siting in � open spaces,thus increased visibility. The majority of Orono property is zoned for residential purposes, and approximately half of the City's land area is within the designated Shoreland Overlay District. Orono's commercial and industrial districts are limited in land area. The Navarre commercial area