Zoning for Turbines

"David Umling, city planner, said the amendment was presented at the May 11 Planning Commission meeting.

'The city has no provisions for wind energy systems at all,' he said. 'The proposed changes would establish standards and requirements for small wind energy systems and a prohibition on large wind energy systems.'

The amendment states that small wind energy systems will have a rated maximum output of no more than 15 kilowatts of electricity for direct consumption; large systems are considered to have a rated maximum output over 15 kilowatts.

The amendment also says that the maximum height variance will not exceed 150 feet and, if a height variance is granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the board is allowed to impose additional landscaping requirements along the boundaries of the property."