03-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING CONIlVIISSION MEETING Monday,November 17,2014 7:00 o'clock p.m. , , . O �I�� 4. Establishment of system design or performance standards that would eliminate the potential for "�""' ) I the impacts noted above, such as standards for height, system size or capacity,physical location in relation to attachment to the ground or to structures, location of associated mechanical equipment, use of screening,visual aesthetics,safety,etc.; 5. Establishment of standards for system abandonment;and 6. Establishment of permit requirements. Gaffron noted the Planning Commission reviewed alternative energy systems in 2013. During that review,the Planning Commission reviewed sample WECS codes from a number of cities. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has also generated a model ordinance similar to many others,which suggests the following punch list of items should be included in a WECS ordinance in establishing wind generators located in a residential neighborhood: A. Distinguish between types of wind energy applications B. Define necessary permits C. Identify wind resource standards d. Establish setbacks E. Establish Safety Standards F. Establish Design Standards G. Establish other applicable standards H. Minimize infrastructure impacts The ordinance draft reviewed by the Planning Commission in November of 2013 addressed many of the above elements and avoided or purposely did not address others. The 2013 draft established three types of wind turbines based on the nameplate generating capacity. The draft did not acknowledge that WECS of 5,000 kW capacity or larger are state-regulated. The 2013 draft also indicated that residential wind turbines require a building permit and are allowed as an accessory use in the RR-lA and RR-1B Districts. The draft prohibited them in all other zoning Page 3 of 35