Tarrant County cities moving to regulate home wind turbines as residents express interest

The latest must-have for budget-conscious homeowners with large back yards may soon be small wind turbines.

Officials in Colleyville and Southlake have heard from residents interested in installing turbines on their property to reduce their electric bills and carbon footprints. Both cities are now looking at ways to regulate the structures before they begin transforming neighborhood landscapes.

But the cities may take different approaches. Last week, Colleyville's City Council tentatively approved guidelines for homeowners interested in turbines.

Two days later, Southlake's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended forbidding residents in that city from putting up turbines. The City Council will make the final decision on the issue at an upcoming meeting.

"I just don't think the windmills are going to work out, especially in the neighborhoods," commission member Michael Springer said.

Tax credit

Turbines have been gaining in popularity in recent years and could get an extra boost soon. A law signed by President George W. Bush in October gave a homeowner a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of a turbine, up to $4,000. The latest version of President Barack Obama's stimulus package includes a provision removing the $4,000 cap.

But the structures aren't for everybody interested in lower energy costs.

The turbines typically cost $9,000 to $15,000 to purchase and install - money that may take 15 years or more to get back through energy savings, according to several turbine dealers.

Setting aside the costs, many homes simply aren't suited for a turbine.

"You need at least half an acre of land," said Ed Smith, who sells renewable energy products through his company, SSB Designs, in Arlington. "The turbines need to be at least 30 feet above the nearest obstruction within a football field, so you do need a pretty wide-open area."

Location is also an issue. Unlike windy West Texas, many parts of North Texas do not get enough wind over the course of a year to make a turbine worth the investment. Some streets may be better than others for turbines.

"We check wind charts. We check with the weather service and the government," said Chuck Knudsen of San Angelo-based SanTex Alternative Energy. "We want to make sure it's viable."

Considering that the average wind speed in the Metroplex is 10.7 mph, Flagstaff, Ariz.-based Southwest Windpower says its Skysteam 3.7 small turbine could produce about 300 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, according to the company's Web site. The average Texas home consumes 1,136 kilowatt-hours a month, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Regulations vary

Most cities and counties haven't addressed the issue yet, but many may have to soon as interest grows, according to Pam Groce of the State Energy Conservation Office.

In 2007, Grand Prairie's City Council approved ordinances to allow property owners with at least 2 acres to install turbines. No one has filed for a permit, city spokeswoman Amy Sprinkles said.

Fort Worth has no specific regulations. Structures on residential properties are generally not allowed to be taller than 35 feet, but the zoning board of adjustments will consider variances, according to city officials.Colleyville received five inquiries last year from residents interested in installing turbines on their property, said Ron Ruthven, community development coordinator. Southlake has also received several requests in the last year, said Ken Baker, planning and development services director.

Colleyville's City Council is expected to give final approval next week to guidelines for homeowners to install turbines. Each turbine would have to be approved by the council, according to city documents. Only homeowners with lots of 1.5 acres or more would be granted a permit. There are also restrictions on noise and the turbines' height. The council will be able to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis.

"We expect to start seeing more requests as the technology improves," Ruthven said.

Last year, Southlake City Council members expressed interest in crafting ordinances to allow both turbines and solar panels.

At a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting last week, city planner Jenny Crosby presented the commission with options including allowing turbines if they abide by guidelines similar to those under consideration in Colleyville.

Commission members questioned how neighbors would receive 50-foot-tall turbines.

"We don't allow signs up that high," noted commission member Robert Hudson. "There's just no way."

The commission recommended that the council allow residents to install solar panels but forbid all requests for wind turbines.

"My gut says don't deal with them," zoning commission Chairman Al Morin said. "There are other options if people want to get energy-efficient."

Wind turbine rules Guidelines tentatively approved in Colleyville:

• Lots must be at least an acre and a half.
• The turbine must be a monopole design with a maximum height of 50 feet.
• There may be only one turbine per lot, and it must be in the back yard.
• The minimum setback from any property line, right-of-way or power line is 1.5 times the height of the turbine.
• There are restrictions on noise levels.
• A turbine not used for more than 180 days must be taken down.

Source: City of Colleyville