See §§ 151.112(DDD) and 151.113(P) Wind Energy Facilities for information on Height and Setbacks and Operating Requirements. See §§ 151.250 through 151.262 for Violations, Penalties and Enforcement. See below for Additional Standards for Wind Energy Facilities. Other local and state regulations shall apply.

   A.   Project proposal.

      1)   Owner name, address and phone number.

      2)   Photos of existing conditions for proposed facility.

      3)   Project summary including the manufacturer information, number of proposed turbines, and proposed height to the top of the turbine, including tower height and length of the blades.

   B.   Site plan (drawn to scale).

      For tower-mounted wind energy facilities:

      1)   Existing and proposed contours, at a minimum of two foot intervals.

      2)   Location, setbacks, exterior dimensions and square footage of all structures on the owner’s property and abutting properties within 100 feet.

      3)   Location and size of existing waterways, wetlands, one hundred-year floodplains, sanitary sewers, field drain tiles, storm sewer systems, and water distribution systems.

      For both tower and building-mounted facilities:

      4)   Location of any overhead or underground power lines and utility easements.

      5)   The locations and the expected duration of shadow flicker caused by the facility.

   C.   Waivers.

      1)   Any waiver for setbacks, sound level limitations or shadow flicker signed by nonparticipating property owners shall be recorded against the impacted property with the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office.

      2)   All waivers shall be submitted with the application for the wind energy facility.

   D.   Engineering plans, drawings, and schematics.

      1)   Manufacturer’s engineering specifications of the tower, turbine and foundation, detailed drawing of electrical components and installation details, and expected sound level production (see Sound Level standards below).

      2)   For turbines greater than 20 kW of nameplate capacity, an Illinois licensed structural engineer’s seal shall be required.

      3)   All facilities shall be designed to withstand a minimum wind velocity of100 miles per hour.

      4)   Each facility shall conform to applicable industry standards, including those of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Applicants shall submit certificates of design compliance that equipment (inverter) manufacturers have obtained from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Germanischer Lloyd Wind Energie (GL), or an equivalent third party.

      5)   All electrical wires and lines connecting each facility shall be installed underground.

      6)   To reduce potential bird perching and nesting, towers shall be a monopole rather than a lattice structure. External platforms/landings and ladders shall not be permitted on towers, unless mitigation strategies to avoid bird roosting or nesting are employed.

 

 

   G.   Installation. Facilities must be installed according to manufacturer specifications and permitting requirements. Electrical connections must be made by a licensed electrician.

   J.   Signage.

      1)   Facilities shall have no advertising material, writing, picture, or signage other than warning, turbine tower identification, or manufacturer or ownership information.

      2)   This prohibition shall include the attachment of any flag, streamers, ribbons, spinners or waving, fluttering or revolving devices, but not including meteorological/weather devices or bird flight diverters on guy wires.

      3)   Tower-mounted facilities shall have one warning sign that shall include a notice of no trespassing, a warning of high voltage, and the phone number of the owner to call in case of emergency.

   K.   Lighting.

      1)   The facility shall not be artificially lighted, except as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or necessary for workers involved in maintenance or repairs. Any required lighting shall be shielded so that no glare extends beyond the property line of the facility.

      2)   Security lighting and any emergency lighting should be kept to the minimum required.

      3)   To reduce potential wildlife impacts, the facility should employ only red, or dual red and white strobe, strobe-like, or flashing lights, not steady burning lights to meet FAA requirements for visibility lighting of wind turbines, permanent meteorological towers, and communication towers.

   L.   Historic districts and landmarks. Wind facilities within 500 feet of the local historic district or landmark or a National Historic District or Landmark must receive a recommendation from the Historical and Architectural Sites Commission prior to submitting an application to the Plan Commission and County Board.

(Ord. passed - -; Ord. 23-0675, passed 5-9-2023; Ord. 24-0207, passed 3-12-2024)