§ 23.08.316. Wind Energy Conversion Facilities (WECF).
a.
Permit requirements. Minor Use Permit.
b.
Application contents. In addition to the general requirements of Section 23.08.312(b), an application for a wind energy conversion facility (WECF) shall describe:
(1)
Location and elevation of proposed WECF.
(2)
Location of all above-ground utility lines on-site or within one radius of the total height of the WECF.
(3)
Location and size of structures and trees above 35 feet within a 500 feet radius of the proposed WECF.
c.
Development standards. The following standards apply, in addition to those in Section 23.08.312 of this title.
(1)
Setbacks. The facility shall be setback from property lines at least five rotor diameters for a horizontal axis WECF or the height of a vertical axis WECF.
(2)
Rotor safety. Each wind conversion system shall be equipped with both manual and automatic controls to limit the rotational speed of the blade below the design limits of the rotor. The application must include a statement by a California-registered professional engineer certifying that the rotor and overspeed controls have been designed and fabricated for the proposed use in accordance with good engineering practices. The engineer shall also certify the structural compatibility of proposed towers and rotors. Such certification would normally be supplied by the manufacturer.
(3)
Guy wires. Anchor points for any guy wires for a WECF tower shall be located within property lines and not on or across any above-ground electric transmission or distribution line. The point of ground attachment for the guy wires shall be enclosed by a fence six feet high or sheathed in a bright orange or yellow covering from three to eight feet above ground.
(4)
Tower access. Tower design and construction shall provide one of the following means of access control, or other appropriate method approved by the Planning Director:
(i)
Tower-climbing apparatus located no closer than 12 feet from the ground;
(ii)
A locked anticlimb device installed on the tower; or
(iii)
The tower shall be completely enclosed by a locked, protective fence at least six feet high.
(5)
Signs. At least one sign shall be posted at the base of the tower warning of electrical shock or high voltage.
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(6)
Electromagnetic interference. The wind energy conversion system shall be operated such that no disruptive electromagnetic interference is caused. If it has been demonstrated to the planning director that a wind energy conversion system is causing harmful interference, the operator shall promptly mitigate the harmful interference.
(7)
Height. The minimum height of the lowest part of the WECF shall be 30 feet above the highest existing major structure or tree within a 250 feet radius. For purposes of this requirement, electrical transmission and distribution lines, antennas, and slender or open lattice towers are not considered structures. Modification of this standard may be made when the applicant demonstrates that a lower height will not jeopardize the safety of the wind turbine structure.
(8)
Distance from structures. Horizontal axis wind turbines shall be placed at a distance of at least two times the total tower height from any occupied structure. Vertical axis wind turbines shall be placed at a distance of at least 10 blade diameters from any structure or tree. A modification may be granted by the Director of Planning and Building for good cause shown, however, in no case shall the turbine be located closer than three (3) blade diameters to any occupied structure.
(9)
Undergrounding. Electrical distribution lines on the project site shall be undergrounded up to the low voltage side of the step-up transformer, to the point of on-site use, or to the utility interface point of on-site substation.
(10)
Public nuisance. Any WECF which has not generated power for 12 consecutive months is hereby declared to be a public nuisance which shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with chapter 23.10 of this title.
[Added 1992, Ord. 2591]