§ 550.1850 — Specific standards for conditional uses

550.1850. - Specific standards for conditional uses.

All wind energy conversion systems requiring a conditional use permit shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 525, Administration and Procedures, and the submittal requirements of section 550.1830(b). In addition, the applicant shall comply with the following standards and submit written documentation indicating such compliance: (1) Tower type. Towers shall be of a monopole design. The city planning commission may consider the substitution of alternative tower types in cases where structural and design considerations, and location suggests a tower other than a monopole. (2) Height of freestanding wind energy conversion systems. a. Urban neighborhood, residential mixed-use and commercial mixed-use districts. The height of freestanding wind energy conversion systems located in the urban neighborhood, residential mixed-use and commercial mixed-use shall be no more than sixty (60) feet on zoning lots between one (1) and five (5) acres and shall be no more than one hundred (100) feet on zoning lots of more than five (5) acres in area. b. Production districts. The height of freestanding wind energy conversion systems located in the production districts shall not exceed one hundred (100) feet. c. Minimum height. The minimum distance between the ground and the vertical length of any extensions such as the rotor blades shall be fifteen (15) feet. d. Excess height. The city planning commission may increase the height of freestanding wind energy conversion systems, provided that in the urban neighborhood, residential mixed-use and commercial mixed-use districts such increase shall not exceed the maximum height by more than fifty (50) percent. The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city planning commission that the surrounding topography, structures, vegetation, and other factors make a tower that complies with the district height regulations impractical. (3) Encroachments and setbacks. a. The base of the tower shall maintain a minimum distance from the nearest residential structure and from any overhead utility lines equal to twice the height of the tower. For the purposes of this article, residential structures shall also include any parking structure attached to a principal residential structure. b. The support structure, including any guy wires, shall not be located in any required front, side or rear yard, nor shall they be located between a principal building and a required front or side yard. (4) Security. All sites shall be reasonably protected against unauthorized climbing. The bottom of the tower, measured from ground level to twelve (12) feet above ground level, shall be designed in a manner to discourage unauthorized climbing. (5) Electrical wires. All electrical wires associated with a freestanding wind energy conversion system shall be located within the tower and underground.