[url]http://www.caller.com/news/2009/oct/27/council-unanimously-passes-wind-ordinance-to/[/URL]
CORPUS CHRISTI — The City Council unanimously passed a wind energy ordinance Tuesday, making wind turbine installation a possibility for residential property owners wanting to go green.
The ordinance was a third rewrite since the council decided to examine the issue earlier this year. The council told city staff to rewrite the previous two versions so more homeowners could install turbines. The city enlisted local industry officials on a subcommittee to help write the final version approved today.
Council members hailed the industry people’s efforts.
“We’ve already got calls from other cities looking for copies of this ordinance. I think that speaks well of this proposal,” said Councilman Kevin Kieschnick, who helped lead the rewrite efforts. “We wanted a leader instead of a follower. My hat is off to you for that. You got planning individuals involved in doing this so it won’t detract from the quality of life in Corpus Christi.”
The ordinance, which also includes installation of commercial wind turbines within city limits, allows turbines on residential lots larger than an acre and on smaller lots if residents comply with a set of rules. Earlier versions required at least 1.5 acres.
It also eliminates a sound limitation in previous drafts of less than 60 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night. Industry officials argued that the decibel limit was too restrictive, considering that air conditioning units emit about 65 decibels. Turbines emit about 54 decibels.
One industry official on the committee compared the noise to the sound of a neighbor pulling his car into his driveway.
The new rules only say that turbines must comply with the city noise ordinance.
The ordinance still requires that the turbines have a clear distance around them equal to their height.
Homeowners on 1 acre or more must apply for a permit before installing a turbine. Owners of less than 1 acre may still install a turbine, but must undergo a review process.
A 35-foot wind turbine on a 1-acre residential property costs an average of $14,000. At that size it would provide 40 percent of the energy for a family home, according to Tracy Long, owner of Alternative Renewable Energy, a turbine dealer and installer.
Another industry expert described the installation process “as simple as building a garage at your house.”
There is a restriction on where the turbine can be placed on a residential property. It cannot be on the front of the property or near a roadway. It must be either at the rear or side of a lot. The ordinance requires a basic site plan of the property along with a pinpointed site of where the turbine would be placed.
Mayor Joe Adame advised residents to make sure to check deed restrictions, as some may not allow additions on a property.
Council members praised the potential for energy savings.
“This ordinance is exciting to us because it will allow citizens who want to take advantage of natural surroundings to do so.” Councilman Mark Scott said. “A lot of cities are talking about going green and taking advantage of new technology. Thanks to your efforts this community is moving forward with that
CORPUS CHRISTI — The City Council unanimously passed a wind energy ordinance Tuesday, making wind turbine installation a possibility for residential property owners wanting to go green.
The ordinance was a third rewrite since the council decided to examine the issue earlier this year. The council told city staff to rewrite the previous two versions so more homeowners could install turbines. The city enlisted local industry officials on a subcommittee to help write the final version approved today.
Council members hailed the industry people’s efforts.
“We’ve already got calls from other cities looking for copies of this ordinance. I think that speaks well of this proposal,” said Councilman Kevin Kieschnick, who helped lead the rewrite efforts. “We wanted a leader instead of a follower. My hat is off to you for that. You got planning individuals involved in doing this so it won’t detract from the quality of life in Corpus Christi.”
The ordinance, which also includes installation of commercial wind turbines within city limits, allows turbines on residential lots larger than an acre and on smaller lots if residents comply with a set of rules. Earlier versions required at least 1.5 acres.
It also eliminates a sound limitation in previous drafts of less than 60 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night. Industry officials argued that the decibel limit was too restrictive, considering that air conditioning units emit about 65 decibels. Turbines emit about 54 decibels.
One industry official on the committee compared the noise to the sound of a neighbor pulling his car into his driveway.
The new rules only say that turbines must comply with the city noise ordinance.
The ordinance still requires that the turbines have a clear distance around them equal to their height.
Homeowners on 1 acre or more must apply for a permit before installing a turbine. Owners of less than 1 acre may still install a turbine, but must undergo a review process.
A 35-foot wind turbine on a 1-acre residential property costs an average of $14,000. At that size it would provide 40 percent of the energy for a family home, according to Tracy Long, owner of Alternative Renewable Energy, a turbine dealer and installer.
Another industry expert described the installation process “as simple as building a garage at your house.”
There is a restriction on where the turbine can be placed on a residential property. It cannot be on the front of the property or near a roadway. It must be either at the rear or side of a lot. The ordinance requires a basic site plan of the property along with a pinpointed site of where the turbine would be placed.
Mayor Joe Adame advised residents to make sure to check deed restrictions, as some may not allow additions on a property.
Council members praised the potential for energy savings.
“This ordinance is exciting to us because it will allow citizens who want to take advantage of natural surroundings to do so.” Councilman Mark Scott said. “A lot of cities are talking about going green and taking advantage of new technology. Thanks to your efforts this community is moving forward with that
