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Wind turbines would face city's height limit
(by Sue Reid - May 06, 2010)
Wind turbines would face city's height limit
By SUE REID
Solon planning commission member George K. Hrabak inquired last week if the city's zoning code addresses wind turbines. He said turbines are making their way to the Cleveland suburbs, and he has seen information on them in other communities.
"We should give some thought to what we want to do and be proactive, rather then reactive," Mr. Hrabak said. "It could bring industry into the city knowing we're open to the use of these wind turbines."
He said that years ago, when cell towers started to be erected, "we had nothing in our code to regulate them."
Solon Planning Director Robert S. Frankland said wind turbines are a new technology, and he has been approached within the past three weeks by a Solon business for the use of them in the industrial area. Zoning variances would be required due to certain heights, he said. The company is considering something higher than the city's ordinance allows, he said. Structures only can be 50 feet in height in the industrial area, he said.
"The business indicated they would need variances if they were to proceed," he said.
Mr. Frankland said, if the commission wants him to address wind turbines, there are things it would need to consider.
"I'm looking for their input as to whether they want to permit them or not, or if they want to permit them with certain limitations regarding height," Mr. Frankland said. "That is the type of input I would need before I would write an ordinance."
He said cellular towers had exemptions under federal law to where they had to be allowed.
With such things as wind turbines, Mr. Frankland said, "you always have to see if you are accommodating new technologies or not.
"It may be that they are efficient enough that all businesses will want them," he said. "It may get to that point. If you see more and more things arising, you have to adapt your zoning code to address new technology."
Mr. Hrabak said, "It's a relatively new technology, and more people are looking at supplementing energy costs with the use of wind turbines."
Mr. Frankland said he will await the commission's feedback. "You don't want to write an ordinance prohibiting them if it's their intention to permit them," he said.
"As of right now, effectively, our ordinances prohibit them because of the height restrictions," Mr. Frankland said. "The city does not directly, but effectively, prohibit them. Structures can only be 50 feet in the industrial area. These wind turbines need to be considerably higher than that."
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