03-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,March 9,2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. (11. #14-3700 CITY OF ORONO—AMEND ZONING CODE—AMEND SECTION 78-1379: WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS(WECS)FIRST REVIEW,conNnued) Walsh stated one option could be to ban them in certain districts. Mattick stated the more places the City allows them,the less likely it is the ordinance would be struck down. Gaffron stated as it relates to safety, standards and certification,the ordinance states that the WEC systems shall meet minimum standards and must be certified. In addition,all grid connected systems shall have an agreement with the local utility prior to the issuance of a building perxnit. If the WEC system is abandoned or remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period of one year,the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance. Gaffron stated he also does not have any idea whether the local utility companies have any interest in accepting electricity from a WEC system. Gaffron stated based on the discussion tonight, Staff can make some changes to the ordinance,but that the Council will need to determine what an appropriate lot size and setback is. Gaffron indicated he can bring back sketches of different sizes and shaped lots but that he is not sure how useful that will be. McMillan stated in her view the 300-foot setback is too restrictive but that she is not sure what it should be. McMillan indicated she likes the 10-acre lot size. Levang stated she does not want these devices to impact the neighbors and that the clustering of the homes need to be taken into consideration in addition to the lot size. Levang stated in her view the answer has to be setbacks or size of lots but that in her view five acres is not the answer. Levang stated she does not want to push this onto the backs of neighbors. Walsh stated whatever the Council does, it has to be defendable in court. Levang noted there is a significant nuxnber of five acre lots in Orono and that she does not want them to be worried about a wind turbine being installed in their neighbor's yard. Cornick stated what is holding the Council back is not being able to decide on what size lot the turbines should be allowed on. Cornick stated he likes the 10 acres because it simplifies things a little more. Walsh indicated he does not agree with the ten acres but that he would go along with it to keep things moving along. Cornick stated the size of the lot could always be changed if the City finds it is not working. Levang stated the City can always go down but it would be difficult to go up. McMillan and Levang indicated they are both fine with requiring ten acres. McMillan stated two good restrictions are the flicker and shadow not being allowed on neighboring properties. McMillan stated they could have two setbacks, 100 feet from the property line and no further than 150 feet from the house. Page 29 of 43