The city committee that handles requests for minor bylaw exceptions has ruled against an Island Park resident's application to put up a small wind turbine in his backyard.

Graham Findlay, who lives at 70 Iona St., was asking the committee to exempt his turbine from bylaws governing the height of accessory structures and their proximity to property lines.

Zoning bylaws require that accessory structures not stand taller than 4.5 metres and that their distance from property lines must equal their height.

City staff said the committee ruled against Mr. Findlay's proposal for safety reasons, but would not elaborate, saying the official decision and rationale will be released next week.