The Dekalb County Board adopted a new wind energy ordinance in accordance with the recommendations of the county's Planning and Zoning Committee. The ordinance includes the following key standards: All turbines are to be situated at a distance not less than six (6) times the height of the WECS tower from all property lines, turbine towers are limited to 500-feet, no shadow flicker can extend onto neighboring non-participating properties, and turbines cannot produce sound that causes an exceedance of the preconstruction/operation background sound levels by more than 5 dBa. The resolution adopting the ordinance is provided below. The full ordinance can be accessed by clicking the link(s) on this page.
The Dekalb County Board adopted a new wind energy ordinance in accordance with the recommendations of the county's Planning and Zoning Committee. The ordinance includes the following key standards: All turbines are to be situated at a distance not less than six (6) times the height of the WECS tower from all property lines, turbine towers are limited to 500-feet, no shadow flicker can extend onto neighboring non-participating properties, and turbines cannot produce sound that causes an exceedance of the preconstruction/operation background sound levels by more than 5 dBa. The resolution adopting the ordinance is provided below. The full ordinance can be accessed by clicking the link(s) on this page.
COUNTY OF DEKALB ORDINANCE 2018-50
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM ORDINANCE FOR DEKALB COUNTY
WHEREAS, the DeKalb County Board has determined the need for regulations governing the construction, installation, and operation of wind energy conversion systems; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning of the DeKalb County Board has drafted a Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance to address this need; and
WHEREAS, the DeKalb County Community Development Department, under the direction of the Planning and Zoning Committee of the DeKalb County Board, has prepared and submitted an application for a Zoning Text Amendment for the adoption of a Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, following due and proper notice by publication in the Daily Chronicle not less than fifteen (15) nor more than thirty (30) days prior thereto, the DeKalb County Hearing Officer conducted two public hearings on September 24, 2018, at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm, at which fortysix (46) members of the public asked questions and made comments regarding the Draft Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, based on the testimony given at the public hearing, the Hearing Officer has forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Committee findings and a recommendation that the requested Draft Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance be approved, with three (3) elements of the draft ordinance recommended for further consideration by the Planning and Zoning Committee, as set forth in the Report of Proceedings and Recommendation of the DeKalb County Hearing Officer, dated October 18, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Committee of the DeKalb County Board has reviewed and considered the Draft Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance proposed the Text Amendment, and the recommendations of the Hearing Officer, and having moved to amend the proposed language in response to the recommendations of the Hearing Officer and concerns raised at the public hearing, and has forwarded a recommendation to the DeKalb County Board that the proposed Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance, be adopted; and
WHEREAS, the DeKalb County Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the County to amend the DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance to adopt the Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS, as follows:
SECTION ONE: The Findings above and the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Committee are hereby adopted as the findings and conclusions of the DeKalb County Board.
SECTION TWO: The DeKalb County Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance, Exhibit "A" appended hereto, is hereby adopted, effective as of December 1, 2018.
SECTION THREE: Section 4.02.C.1 of the DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance shall be amended to include Wind Energy Conversion Systems into the list of Special Uses allowed In the A-1 District.
SECTION THREE: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its adoption by the County Board of DeKalb County, Illinois.
PASSED BY THE COUNTY BOARD THIS 21TH DAY OF November 21, 2018, A.D.
Mark Pietrowski, Jr.
Chairman, DeKalb County Board
