(a)

Purpose. The city seeks to encourage environmentally sensitive development techniques to benefit its residents, business owners, and others in the community. This goal is supported by sustainable energy techniques such as solar energy systems (SES). The purpose of this section is to ensure that solar energy systems are compatible in character and appearance with the principal structure and surrounding neighborhood or area of the zoning districts in which they are located. Solar energy systems are permitted as an accessory use to any principal permitted or special use subject to the following development standards:

(b)

Building code requirements. All SES shall meet applicable requirements of the building code (chapter 22, buildings and building regulations) regulations of the city.

(c)

Building mounted facilities.

(1)

Appearance and materials. Solar energy systems shall be neutral in color and generally match the roof color of the principal structure. All such devices shall have the following characteristics:

a.

Not be plastic or other non-UV stable material;

b.

Include frames, where applicable, of anodized aluminum or painted steel;

c.

Where devices are encased with glass, the glass shall be nonreflective tempered glass; and

d.

Solar panels must be placed so that concentrated solar radiation or glare is not directed onto nearby properties or roadways.

(2)

Yards. Solar energy systems shall be subject to the following yard requirements:

a.

Solar energy systems are an allowed encroachment in front, side, and rear yards so long as they do not project more than five feet from an exterior wall;

b.

Solar energy systems shall be located flush to the exterior wall of the principal and street facing facades; and

c.

For side or rear wall installations, solar energy systems must be set back a minimum of three feet from any property line.

(3)

Height. Solar energy systems shall be subject to the following height requirements:

a.

Solar energy systems may not exceed the maximum building height requirements for the district in which they are located;

b.

SES located on sloped roof buildings shall not extend beyond one foot above the roof surface at any point in residential zoning districts and 15 inches for all other zoning districts; and

c.

SES located on flat roofed buildings shall not extend beyond two feet in overall height above the roof on which they are mounted in residential zoning districts or eight feet in all other districts. In no case shall solar collection devises extend above the parapet wall of the structure.

(4)

Ground mounted separate or adjacent to the principal structure. Solar energy systems mounted on the ground shall not:

a.

Be more than eight feet high;

b.

Have a footprint (as determined by a horizontal plane at the ground generated by extending all parts of the structure vertically down) greater than 25 percent of the principal building footprint; or

c.

Be located in front-facing or street-facing yards.

(5)

Accessory structures. Solar energy systems mounted to accessory structures:

a.

Shall comply with all yard requirements for accessory structures (section 110-55, accessory buildings, structures, and uses of land); and

b.

May extend up to four feet above the roof ridge for sloped roof structures and up to five feet above the roof height for flat roofed structures.

(Ord. No. 21-5231, § 2, 4-12-2021)

(a)

Purpose. The city seeks to encourage environmentally sensitive development techniques to benefit its residents, business owners, and others in the community. This goal is supported by sustainable energy techniques such as wind energy systems (WES). The purpose of this section is to ensure that wind energy systems are compatible in character and appearance with the principal structure and surrounding neighborhood or area of the zoning districts in which they are located. Wind energy systems are permitted as an accessory use to any principal permitted or special use subject to the following development standards.

(b)

Wind energy systems shall be allowed as an accessory structure (section 110-55, accessory buildings, structures, and uses of land), provided that no more than one WES is permitted per lot; except that, more than one WES may be permitted for commercial and manufacturing properties, subject to the approval of the city council. The following criteria have been established as minimum standards for consideration such systems.

(c)

WES may only be designed for and installed on the roof of an existing principal structure and shall meet the following requirements:

(1)

Shall be set back at least 20 feet from front or exterior building lines, and at least ten feet from side building lines. Setbacks shall be measured to the widest point of blade rotation or to the side of the WES, whichever is greater.

(2)

Shall be limited to a height of no more than 15 feet above the roof peak or top of a parapet wall, whichever is greater. Total height shall be measured from the highest point of blade rotation or the highest point of the WES, whichever is greater.

(3)

Shall comply with all noise regulations (section 110-204, noise) of the city.

(4)

Shall be safely and securely attached to the rooftop in compliance with the building code (chapter 22, buildings and building regulations) of the city.

(5)

All WES structures shall conform to the appropriate city related rules and regulations pertaining to their construction, design, operation and maintenance.

(6)

WES shall be designed to withstand a minimum wind velocity of 100 miles per hour, with an impact pressure of 40 pounds per square foot.

(7)

The applicant shall submit documentation that the proposed WES will not create a nuisance to adjacent uses. In no event shall the noise level produced by a WES continuously exceed 65 decibels as measured at the property line.

(8)

No WES shall cause electromagnetic degradation in performance of other electromagnetic radiators, receptors, or generators of quality and proper design. The city reserves the right to revoke any special use permit for a WES system whenever electromagnetic interference from the WES is evident and cannot be corrected.

(9)

WES shall not be artificially lighted, except to the extent required by the FAA or other applicable government authority.

(10)

All wind turbines shall have an automatic braking, governing or feathering system to prevent uncontrolled rotation, over-speeding and excessive pressure on the tower structure, rotor blades and turbine components.

(11)

Signage: No signs shall be attached except for a manufacturer and/or installer identification and those required for safety, provided that they do not measure more than two square feet.

(12)

Abandonment: If a small wind energy system is inoperable or abandoned for a period of 12 consecutive months; the owner may be notified by the city that the energy system must either be repaired or removed within 90 days.

(Ord. No. 21-5231, § 2, 4-12-2021)