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Home My WebLink AboutWS Item 02 - Wind Turbines a ITEM _ 2-- MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL �L2 FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER 1J� MEETING DATE: JULY 7, 2009 SUBJECT: WORKSHOP ITEM - WIND TURBINES BACKGROUND: At the March 24, 2009, Workshop, City Council discussed the use of wind turbines for electrical generation within the City of Grapevine. Staff presented Council with the results of research showing that most area cities do not allow these devices and those that do restrict them to large properties and require significant setbacks. Most of the discussion centered around the potential use of wind turbines in residential districts. Staff noted that they had received very few inquiries regarding turbines for residential use, and that staff had interpreted the zoning ordinance to not permit these devices due to not being a permitted use, as well as height and setback limitations. There was also limited discussion regarding the use of wind turbines on non-residential properties. Some Council Members mentioned that the Planning and Zoning Commission might want to evaluate the possibility of allowing wind turbines on a case • by case basis as a Special Use Permit in non-residential districts. On April 21, 2009, staff presented this subject to the Planning and Zoning Commission at its Tri Annual Workshop. The Commission elected to take no action at that time, citing among other reasons a lack of demand, environmental (aesthetic) impact, and technology that restricted the efficiency of these units due to low average wind speed in this region. Since that time, some interest has been expressed in employing a wind turbine at the water treatment plant. As staff suggested at the workshops, these turbines could be interpreted to be mechanical equipment in non-residential districts, and provided height and setback requirements were met, they could be allowed as a permitted accessory use. However, in an effort to be fair to private users who may wish to install these devices, Council may want to amend the zoning ordinance to require a Special Use Permit for wind turbines in non-residential districts. This would allow Council the opportunity to evaluate the impact on surrounding properties on a case by case basis. Should Council elect to allow wind turbines as a Special Use Permit, staff would also suggest amending the ordinance to require them to be setback from property lines a distance equal to the maximum overall height of the tower, or the zoning setback, whichever is greater. \\CHSC\DATA\DATA\CITYWIDE\AGENDA\07-07-09\Wind Turbines Wk 070709.doc July 1, 2009(12:12PM)