HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 03 - Electricity Generating Wind Turbines �U` K ITEM #
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGE',,i ,
MEETING DATE: MARCH 24, 2009
SUBJECT: WIND TURBINES
BACKGROUND:
On Monday, February 16, 2009, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ran an article on
Electricity Generating Wind Turbines for residential use. The article also covered how
some of the local cities are addressing those wind turbines. As a result of the article,
Council Member Spencer asked that Staff bring the subject to a Council Workshop for
discussion. Council Member Coy has also expressed an interest this issue.
According to this article, these wind driven devices need to be 30-feet above any
structure within 100 yards. Therefore, using the maximum height of a structure within our
most common Single-Family Residential Zoning District of 35-feet, a wind turbine would
have to be more than 60-feet tall to be effective. Within Commercial Districts it is
possible that they would need to be much taller. The article also stated that average
wind speeds of 12 miles per hour and higher are preferable for effective operation; the
average wind speed in our area is less than 11 miles per hour. The article noted that one
wind turbine manufacturer stated that their turbine could produce about 300 kilowatt
hours of electricity a month; the average Texas home consumes 1,136 kilowatt hours
per month.
Attached is a chart showing how several Texas cities are addressing wind turbines. Few
have ordinances that specifically address these devices, and those that do are very
restrictive. Most cities consider wind turbines accessory structures, and as such would
be effectively prohibited. Some cities require Special Use Permits for these devices, so
that they could be considered on a case by case basis.
To the best of staffs knowledge, Grapevine has received very few inquiries regarding
these devices. Wind turbines are not permitted as accessory uses in any residential
districts in Grapevine. However, even if these turbines were considered accessory
structures, height restrictions would effectively prohibit them, as 20-feet is the maximum
height of an accessory structure in R-20 and R-12.5 Single-Family Districts, and 16-feet
is the maximum in R-7.5 Single-Family Districts. Within non-residential districts,
mechanical equipment is allowed as an accessory use, and it could be interpreted that
the devices could fit the definition of mechanical equipment. However, the height
requirements within our non-residential districts would most likely prohibit wind turbines
just as in residential districts.
Should Council wish to amend the zoning ordinance regarding Wind Driven Turbines,
Staff will provide draft amendments to be presented at a future workshop.
SW/cc
March 19,2009(11:20AM)
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Tarrant County cities moving to regulate home wind turbines as residents express interest I Top Stories I Sta... Page 1 of 4
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NEWS>TOP STORIES Friday,Mar 6,2009
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Top Stories a law lok,k)°1-1
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Posted on Mon,Feb.16,2009 )Comments(4) i f Recommend(4) 8 Print E21 E-Mail 0 BOOKMARK ■'`f r P...'
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Tarrant County cities moving to regulate home
wind turbines as residents express interest
BY AMAN BATHEJA r.
abatheja @star-telegram.com '"`
test must-have for budget-conscious ..
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hu,ileowners with large back yards may soon be small Related Content
wind turbines.
• How it works: Residential wind power ID
Officials in Colleyville and Southlake have heard from
residents interested in installing turbines on their are
property to reduce their electric bills and carbon Related Tags (BETA) Discover how yl
footprints. Both cities are now looking at ways to mouse over a tag to see related stories
regulate the structures before they begin transforming 9 ahead in even
neighborhood landscapes.
Southlake City Council zoning commission
But the cities may take different approaches. Last
week, Colleyville's City Council tentatively approved community development
guidelines for homeowners interested in turbines. SanTex Alternative Energy
Two days later, Southlake's Planning and Zoning Chuck Knudsen of San Angelo SSB Designs
Commission recommended forbidding residents in that
Visit mlaa.t.
city from putting up turbines.The City Council will make ordinances energy conservation
the final decision on the issue at an upcoming meeting.
Energy Information Administration
"I just don't think the windmills are going to work out
especially in the neighborhoods,"commission member Amy Sprinkles height renewable sources It's More Than Busine
Michael Springer said. Cities
Tax credit
Turbines have been gaining in popularity in recent _ M4 1
years and could get an extra boost soon.A law signed Most-read stories t ltU1Pillal "
by President George W. Bush in October gave a 1„ I=bl:
homeowner a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of a • Fort Worth man trimming damaged branch dies
t' '-le, up to$4,000.The latest version of President in fall from tree
;k Obama's stimulus package includes a provision ‘e,„.„il, Lo
■ Tarrant County raids net 202 gaming machines,
removing the$4,000 cap. 6 arrests )Precestare• Dis
!'Coster
But the structures aren't for everybody interested in • Fort Worth man dies in east Arlington shooting
lower energy costs.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1206106.html 3/6/2009
Tarrant County cities moving to regulate home wind turbines as residents express interest I Top Stories I Sta... Page 2 of 4
The turbines typically cost$9,000 to$15,000 to
• Let us give thanks for the departure of Terrell
purchase and install—money that may take 15 years
or more to get back through energy savings,according Owens'ego t`• ") ;Y C
1-3KI WUPIH Clr
to several turbine dealers. • Dallas Cowboys new attitude'ends Terrell
Setting aside the costs, many homes simply aren't Owens'stay
suited for a turbine. •
"You need at least half an acre of land,"said Ed Smith, Be;
who sells renewable energy products through his company, SSB Designs, in Arlington."The turbines need to be at Ranch
and Roorx
least 30 feet above the nearest obstruction within a football field, so you do need a pretty wide-open area." `
Location is also an issue. Unlike windy West Texas, many parts of North Texas do not get enough wind over the .,n. .�.-n,t...,
course of a year to make a turbine worth the investment. Some streets may be better than others for turbines. 1 �� � H
"We check wind charts.We check with the weather service and the government,"said Chuck Knudsen of San nick hale now!
Angelo-based SanTex Alternative Energy. "We want to make sure it's viable."
Considering that the average wind speed in the Metroplex is 10.7 mph, Flagstaff,Ariz.-based Southwest Windpower rd Telegram
says its Skysteam 3.7 small turbine could produce about 300 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month,according to the Alliance publications
company's Web site.The average Texas home consumes 1,136 kilowatt-hours a month,according to the Energy
Information Administration. The Southlake Journal
Regulations vary The Colleyville Courier
Most cities and counties haven't addressed the issue yet, but many may have to soon as interest grows,according The Grapevine Courier
to Pam Groce of the State Energy Conservation Office.
The Flower Mound Messeng
In 2007,Grand Prairie's City Council approved ordinances to allow property owners with at least 2 acres to install The Keller Citizen
turbines. No one has filed for a permit,city spokeswoman Amy Sprinkles said.
Fort Worth has no specific regulations. Structures on residential properties are generally not allowed to be taller than
35 feet, but the zoning board of adjustments will consider variances, according to city officials.Colleyville received
five inquiries last year from residents interested in installing turbines on their property, said Ron Ruthven,community
development coordinator. Southlake has also received several requests in the last year, said Ken Baker, planning
and development services director.
Amok
Colleyville's City Council is expected to give final approval next week to guidelines for homeowners to install
turbines. Each turbine would have to be approved by the council,according to city documents. Only homeowners `"r"
with lots of 1.5 acres or more would be granted a permit.There are also restrictions on noise and the turbines'
height.The council will be able to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis.
"We expect to start seeing more requests as the technology improves,"Ruthven said.
Last year, Southlake City Council members expressed interest in crafting ordinances to allow both turbines and solar
panels.
At a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting last week,city planner Jenny Crosby presented the commission with
options including allowing turbines if they abide by guidelines similar to those under consideration in Colleyville.
Commission members questioned how neighbors would receive 50-foot-tall turbines.
"We don't allow signs up that high,"noted commission member Robert Hudson."There's just no way."
The commission recommended that the council allow residents to install solar panels but forbid all requests for wind
turbines.
"My gut says don't deal with them,"zoning commission Chairman Al Morin said. "There are other options if people
want to get energy-efficient."
Wind turbine rules Guidelines tentatively approved in Colleyville:
Lots must be at least an acre and a half.
The turbine must be a monopole design with a maximum height of 50 feet.
There may be only one turbine per lot,and it must be in the back yard.
The minimum setback from any property line, right-of-way or power line is 1.5 times the height of the turbine.
There are restrictions on noise levels.
A turbine not used for more than 180 days must be taken down.
Source:City of Colleyville
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1206106.html 3/6/2009