03-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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RELEVANT LINKS: C. Setbacks and height limits Setbacks are the primary method of reducing the impact of turbines on adjoining landowners. Often a zoning ordinance might provide a relatively substantial setback from dwellings, such as 500 or 750 feet. Setbacks from property lines and/or road right-of-way may be set at the height of the tower or distance of a fall zone as determined by the engineer. Setbacks from natural resources like wetlands and bluffs may also be established. Height limits are another consideration. Ordinance height limits for noncommercial turbines vary greatly. Some allow turbines up to 200 feet in height, while others are more restrictive at 60 or 100 feet. Safety is a concern, and ordinances generally require certification to industry design and safety standards. Other ordinance provisions may deal with buried electrical transmission lines,what happens if the WECS is decommissioned and addressing impacts heavy turbines might have when they are transported to site. D. Effects on wildlife Some opponents protest the impact of wind turbines on wildlife. While there may be some birds and bats killed by turbines, it seems the numbers generally would be no greater than those killed by all sorts of human-made structures, such as buildings and towers. A greater concern about wildlife is that large wind turbines arrays in a natural environment may impact ecosystems and disturb prairie habitats. IV. Community-Based Energy Development (C- BED) In the last several years,the so-called community wind movement has taken off,which focuses on locally-owned wind projects. Some of these projects may involve local governments, schools and universities,municipal utilities, and electrical cooperatives. In 2005,the legislature passed Community- M�.s�c §ZisB�6�2. Based Energy Development(C-BED) legislation which requires electric utilities to consider community-based wind energy projects when seeking to add wind generation to its supply mix. A number of wind turbine demonstration projects have been sponsored or installed by schools and counties. If your city has not yet considered the issue of how to plan and zone for wind turbines, it may be worthwhile to do so. Eventually, someone may wish to install a wind turbine in your community. Engaging wind in the land use planning process provides a useful and necessary framework. League of Minnesota Cities Infortnation Memo 11/9/2009 Planning for Wind Turbines Page 3