HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2012-041strike WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2011 - 223D
CLEARANCES Initial , Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to:
Originator: 10/23/2012 Introduction
Alex Cleanthous ACC to /Oh '.-
Division Head: � � � n n „ � ® 11/7/2012 Public Hearing
R
Wain Harrison �++i V
tv7--/ &It- / 7—
Dept. Head: . '' = fit, OCT 15 2012
Sam Ryan p t o —
Prosecutor F lP WHATCOM COUNTY
Royce Buckingham . J� rQ - ( 2
Purchasing/Budget: COUNCIL
Brad Bennett
Executive:
Jack Louws
TITLE OF D I C tkii NT: Wind Energy Systems
ATTACHMENTS:
( 1 ) Council ' s Ordinance
SEPA review required? ( x ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( X) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( x ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date: November 7, 2012
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be
clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Amendments to Whatcom County Code 20 . 14 Wind Energy Systems . The proposal allows for a range of Wind
Energy System (WES) sizes with regulations pertaining to setbacks, appearance, sound levels and measurement,
abandonment and complaint issues.
COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION:
10 / 23 / 2012 : Introduced
11 / 07 / 2012 : Council Adopted 5 - 1 , Mann opposed
and Weimer absent
Ord . 2012-041
Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number:
Ord . 2012- 041
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on
the County 's website at: www. co. whatcom. wa. us/council.
I :\Planning Division\Long Range Planning\PLN-CP-Code Amendments\2010\PLN-2010 Files\PLN2010-00026 - Wind Energy\Council\October 23, 2012\pin2010-00026-
agendabil l-20121023.docx
SPONSORED BY : Consent
PROPOSED BY: PDS
INTRODUCTION DATE : 10 / 23 / 2012
ORDINANCE NO. 2012-041
AMENDING WCC TITLE 20 . 14, WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, ORD2008 - 043 adopted development regulations for Wind Energy
Systems in unincorporated Whatcom County .
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Council adopted emergency ordinance 2010 - 015
prohibiting the application for wind energy systems greater than 500 kw and the
application for multiple wind energy systems with a cumulative rated output greater
than 100 kw .
WHEREAS, ORD2010 - 018 established a moratorium on wind energy systems
greater than 500 kw and the application for multiple wind energy systems with a
cumulative rated output greater than 100 kw .
WHEREAS, In accordance with RCW 36 . 70A . 106 Whatcom County Planning and
Development Services notified the Department of Commerce of proposed
amendments to WCC 20 . 14 on Nov 3 , 2010 .
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County SEPA official issued a Determination of
Nonsignificance ( DNS ) on April 13 , 2011 .
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 26 , 2011 and
voted 6 - 1 for a recommendation of approval for the proposed amendments to WCC
20 . 14 , Wind Energy Systems .
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council held a number of work sessions between
2011 and 2012 as well as public hearings on May 8 and November 7 , 2012
regarding revisions to the Wind Energy chapter of the Whatcom County Code .
FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR ACTION
1 . The Whatcom County Council in response to the moratorium organized a
Wind Energy Work Group . The work group was comprised of citizens ,
renewable energy professionals , Whatcom County staff and elected officials .
2 . The Wind Energy Work Group met twice , May 4 and 14 , 2010 .
3 . The Wind Energy Work Group discussed issues such as setbacks , noise ,
shadow flicker and siting of windmills near residential development .
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4 . The results of the Wind Energy Work Group were two proposed ordinances ,
one from Councilmember Brenner and one from Council member Mann . The
Whatcom County Council was unable to reach consensus on an ordinance
and requested the Whatcom Planning Commission to review the proposals
and make a recommendation .
5 . The Whatcom County Planning Commission held work sessions on and a
public hearing on the results of the Wind Energy Work group on November
18 , 2010 , and December 9 , 2010 respectively .
6 . At the December 9 , 2010 hearing the Planning Commission was unable to
find consensus between Councilmember Brenner and Mann 's proposals . The
Planning Commission requested that staff begin to re - evaluate the current
ordinance and make improvements based on concerns raised by the public
and discussion at the Planning Commission work session and public hearing .
7 . Planning staff held two more work sessions on updating WCC 20 . 14 . Those
work sessions were held on January 13 and March 24 , 2011 .
8 . Citizens and Planning Commissioners identified the following as issues to be
addressed during the work sessions ; permitting and zoning , setback
requirements , pre and post monitoring of sound , height limitations , blade
throw , shadow flicker, animal habitat impacts , and decommissioning .
9 . The Whatcom County Planning Commission held public hearings on proposed
changes to WCC 20 . 14 on April 28 and May 26 , 2011 .
10 . A legal notice for the May 26 , 2011 Whatcom County Planning Commission
public hearing was publishing on May 15 , 2011
11 . The Whatcom County Planning Commission at the May 26 , 2011 public
hearing voted 6 - 1 to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Council on
amendments to Whatcom County Code 20 . 14 .
12 . The Whatcom County Council has held a number sessions between 2011 and
2012 on the proposed ordinance to amend WCC 20 . 14 Wind Energy Systems .
13 . At the work sessions issues such as , permits , zoning , setback requirement,
sound level measurement, height limitations , general safety , blade tip height
requirements, ice throw , blade throw , flicker analysis , establishing a
complaint process , and abandonment of the systems were discussed .
14 . The Whatcom County Council held a public hearing on the proposed
amendments to WCC 20 . 14 on November 7 , 2012 .
CONCLUSION
The proposal meets all of the legal requirements as noted within the
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Findings of Fact and Reasons for Action . The proposed amendment is
compatible with the Growth Management Act, Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies , along with policies within Whatcom
County 's County Wide Planning Policies . Approval of this amendment is in
the public interest .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that :
Section 1 . The Official Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance (Title 20 ) is hereby
amended as shown in Exhibit A .
ADOPTWthiYiiiiiip day of November , 2012 .
�%\t`. ci C ® (, "o,,, WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
AT S .• • SAT • • vo % WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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ArteL �Ptc
Dh BrovYrl 'D•a¢is , �.buncil Clerk Kathy Kershner, Council Chairperson
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APPROVED as to form : ( ppro - • ( ) Denied
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Civil Deputy Prosecutor ack Louw' , Executive
Date : /0/00/2—
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Chapter-2044
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Sections:
20. 11 . 010 Purpose .
20. 11 . 020 Definitions.
20. 14 . 030 Applicability.
20 . 11 . 010 Regulatory framework.
20. 14 . 050 General requirements for wind energy systems.
20. 11 . 060 Sound levels and measurement.
20. 14 . 070 Safety.
20. 11 . 080 Federal, state and local requirements.
20 . 14 . 010 Purpose.
- - - •• - - - - - - - • • _ - - • e - - • . II • $ . II -
20 . 14 . 020 Definitions .
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated :
"County" shall mean the Whatcom County government.
" FAA" shall mean the Federal Aviation Administration .
" MET tower" or "meteorological tower" means a structure designed to suppo - - - • - - • e e e
- • - . - . . _ - - — _ — _ A _ a — ma a - a
- - . - - . .. _ . . . • - - -- - r _ - - • - _ . - .. - . • . •. • • .
" Small wind energy system (SWES)" means a wind energy conversion system , with a rated output up to
- - • e le . 1 - • - - - - • - - -
- - - , „s, • , - - - - - - - -
•
"Wind energy system (WES)" means a wind energy conversion system , consisting of: wind turbine, tower,
15
c[ " • _ ei u — • — . • _ _ • � _ _ u ' • e ' • e • — e — — • — a • � _ � � !
_ ,
043 § 1 , 2008).
20 . 14 . 030 Applicability.
The requirements set forth in this chapter shall govern the siting of wind energy systems used to generate
to Chapter 80. 60 RCW, Net Metering of Electricity, serve as an independent source of energy, or serve
as part of a hybrid system .
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all wind energy systems (WES) proposed after the
• e - • - - - - - '
, A - •
- - - - - - - - - - - - - _
to recommencing production of energy. No modification that increases the height of the system or
§ 1 , 2008) .
20 . 14 . 040 Regulatory framework.
.041 Permits and Zoning .
System Typo Required Permit Zones-
MET tower n, .+rinh+ permitter!} All for up to 24
months
One SWES Outright-permitted} AR
WES with a rated output of 101 kW up to and including 500 Administrative permits Rural , AG , CF, RF ,
MA/ Mil
Multiple SWES per parcel with a cumulative rated output of Administrative permits All
up to and including 100 kW
WES greater than 500 kW Conditional use permit' AG , CF, RF , HII
Conditional use permit' AG , CF , RF , HII
above 100 kW
4 WES and MET towers are required to be in compliance with but not limited to WCC Title 15 , Buildings and
Construction, and acquire the necessary building permit.
3 Administrative permit, WCC 20 . 81 . 235 .
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S Conditional use permit, WCC 20. 81 .200.
.042 Principal or Accessory Use.
A WES may be considered either as a principal or accessory use. A different existing use or an existing
. - - •• - • - - e • - - - - - - - e .. _ _ _ - - If _ I • - 99 -
- - - -
,
20 . 1 /1 .050 General requirements for wind energy systems .
.051 Visual Appearance Lighting Power Lines.
•` - .. - - • ' - - - - • ' - - - - . • _ . . - ' _a.. .. - Aka.. .. e e - .. .. - e - e . _ .. _ • — — • , • e • •.. ■- •. • • e •• • . •• • ' • • A I•
- • - - - -
- • - • ,. - . _ _ . . _ _ .. - e •S. - e - • a a a I a • _ . - •• e • -
• _ - - - - -
.
- - - ' - - - e • • e a a •• - e - e - • e
- - - - - - - tee .• - - - -
,
.. _ . r a
_ • - a e • e . . a - e - - - a • e•
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• . . ' e • e - • e • - I a • -
setting and the existing environment.
K -As .I •
- • - - . . - • - - a •• - - •- • - e • - e •• - •• • a •• - -
- - - - - -
authority.
4 \ a .I _ - ea . - e _ • •e . •• e e. - . •• • a - a - a • e - • e • a • -
- - - - - - ae - _ e - . . e • - -
_ _ _ e • ee
• - 4. - • a - e - - e -
. . _ _ • e e _ e • tea a - e • " .. a a . e e . . _ e . • - ... - - e - _ • -
network.
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• e e e _ . a - .. - . • am . . 'A 1
. ■ . ,
- - _ .w e
- - - - ,
from the setback requirements of this chapter; provided , that all parts of the system meet the setback•`J - - - - • - - - .. _ . _ .. . - _ _ 99 " _ _ a . • _ I . •
_ . . _ , . . e
• - _ e - _ A
• a _
•
t ■ - , - - -
17
(a) All systems gr ater than 100 feet must provide in writing that the height requested is the
minimum height necessary for the WES to operate efficiently, and demonstrate the need for the
system to be 30 feet above any obstruction within 500 feet.•
•
•
•. - _ : • .. .. : - e - -
,
(1 ) Communication and Electrical Lines. Each WES shall be set back from the nearest aboveground
maximum of the tower height plus 20 feet, determined from the existing power line or telephone lire
20 . 14. 060 Sound levels and m asurement.
- - - , - -
•
_ _ _ .. - . _ _ • � _ _ .. _ _ = . . . = . _ .. _ _ . . ••
and/or severe windstorms. (Ord . 2008 013 § 1 , 2008) .
20 . 14. 070 Safety.
- - -
1 • e _ e - - _ - • e e e - - e es e - ee - - - :
be a minimum height of 10 feet above ground level.
_ • . - " - - - • - • = - - . • - - - a • - - .
. .. - . .
designed limits of the system . No changes or alterations from the certified design shall be permitted
(6) Any WES found to be unsafe by the building official shall be repaired by the landowner to meet
federal , state and local safety standards or removed within three months. (Ord . 2008 013 § 1 , 2008) .
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20 . 14 . 080 Federal, state and local requirements.
{ 1 ) WES shall comply with all current adopted Whatcom County codes and ordinances , including but not
limited to WCC Titles 15, 16, and 23.
requirements within WCC 20 . 80. 675 , Height limitations surrounding airports.
•ee - - e • - e a e •• e e
MSL of proposed site, Euclidean distance from adjacent airports to proposed site, and total
elevation of WES and structure.
{3) All WES electrical systems shall comply with requirements per the Washington State Department of
{4 ) All WES with the intention to tic to their respective utility provider's grid system shall meet the
- e . • - •• - . 0 • a _ • 1 - S ! A I _ 1 , _ - • . e • I • IA II !
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