Fayette County commissioners yesterday reviewed a draft of an ordinance addressing the use of alternative energy -- including wind and solar.
Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky said he has received calls from residents expressing an interest in adding small windmills or solar panels to their homes or businesses to help offset energy costs.
"This gives us the framework," Zapotosky said of a proposal put together by the county's Office of Planning and Zoning drawn in part from ordinances from other counties and recommendations from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
For a small wind energy system, which consists of wind turbine, a tower and associated control or conversion of electronics with no more than 100 kilowatts, the system would be permitted for use in A-1, R-A, R-1, R-2, C, B-1, B-2, M-1 and M-2 zoned property.
The lot would be at least three-quarters of an acre and must be an accessory to the principal use of the lot. The top of the system would not exceed 100 feet in height, not including the blades, while the top of a roof-mounted system would not exceed 25 feet, not including the blades. The minimum setback for the system would be a distance equal to the total height of the turbine excluding the blades.
A system would be allowed closer to a property line if the abutting property owner grants written permission and it poses no interference with public utility lines or roads and rights-of-way.
The small energy systems must not exceed a decibel level of 70 when measured at the property line, which was something Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink had opposed. She had voted earlier to not raise the level from 55 decibels and said that's an issue of concern to residents.
Solar panels can be installed in the same zoned property as the wind turbines and fall into similar requirements as the turbines.
The solar panels can be installed on a building's roof or as an accessory on the property's ground but they cannot cast a glare upon any neighboring properties or street. They cannot create any additional heat load on neighboring properties. They would have to be removed and disposed of if damaged and no point of a solar panel should exceed 18 feet in height.
The draft ordinance was reviewed twice by the county planning commission and unanimously approved.
The commissioners are expected to render a decision during their regular meeting in January.
No residents were in attendance or spoke either in favor or against the matter at yesterday's hearing.
Copies of the ordinances are available at the county's office of planning and zoning.
