02-17-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 20, 2015 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 21 Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7: 41 p.m. Lisa Daniels stated she is the Executive Director of a company called Windustry, a nonprofit company based in Minneapolis, and also the managing partner of the Midwest Wind Energy Center. Daniels stated in her view Staff has done a great job of researching small wind energy systems and presenting the materials tonight. Daniels stated her main concern with the code and the ordinance is regarding safety. Daniels stated safety can be addressed through setbacks and certification. Daniels stated in her view it seems like the 300-foot setback that has been discussed is more going to eliminate any chance of people actually doing this even though more and more people want to have a choice in their electricity and the sources of their electricity. Daniels stated in her view 300 feet might be excessive. Daniels noted any turbine or mechanical piece of equipment has risks of failure involved in its operation, and in order to mitigate the safety concerns, minimum setbacks should be put in place. Daniels indicated she has a 2005 Minnesota wind model ordinance that recommends for noncommercial machines the setback should be equal to or slightly larger than the total height of the structure. The Distributed Wind Energy Association version of their model ordinance was less restrictive and states that no part of the wind turbine structure may extend closer than ten feet to any property line. Daniels stated one thing that has not been discussed here is certification. Daniels stated setbacks are one way to deal with potential safety concerns and certification is another. Machines that have been certified have assurances built into them, such as safety, quality, functionality, performance and durability assurances. Daniels stated all turbines come with a third party certification and provide a higher level of confidence for both the consumer and the community. The kinds of standards re-enforced by certification are used to qualify machines and are being adapted for wind turbines in terms of incentives, both on a state and a federal basis. Daniels stated whether a piece of machinery would qualify or be eligible for the federal tax credit would need to pass certification. Daniels indicated this is a guideline that just came out this month from the IRS. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Commerce has guidelines posted online that recommend siting a tower on a minimum of one acre of land without trees or buildings, which underscores that some of the properties in Orono might be too small to have a wind turbine. Daniels stated ten acres is sort of on the large side, and if the MN Department of Commerce is suggesting one-half to one acre, Orono has gone way on the other side of that. Daniels stated she was also hoping that the City would allow structures that are higher than 45 feet. Daniels stated a turbine cannot capture a good wind resource unless it is above the trees and that Orono is essentially making any turbine almost useless if the height is limited to 45 feet. Daniels stated the turbines also have to be away from local obstacles, including trees. Daniels stated the discussion about getting the machine up higher to avoid flicker and avoid noise was on the right track. Daniels stated in order for a machine to be useful, they have to allow it grab the wind, and that she hopes the Planning Commission reconsiders some of these thoughts. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:49 p.m. Lemke noted they have regulations in terms of the envelope of the wind turbine but that they do not have anything regulating certification. Item #01 - PC Agenda - 02/17/2015 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes [Page 12 of 21]