WDM wind turbine ordinance amended
Des Moines Register|Lisa Lavia Ryan|May 21, 2010
The amendment alters maximum tower height from 100 feet under the previous ordinance to 65 feet for lots between 1 acre and 3 acres in size, 80 feet for lots between 3 acres and 7 acres in size, and 100 feet for lots larger than 7 acres in size. It also specifies than any earthen berm, terrace or retaining wall used to elevate the turbine be considered a part of the turbine itself.
The amendment alters maximum tower height from 100 feet under the previous ordinance to 65 feet for lots between 1 acre and 3 acres in size, 80 feet for lots between 3 acres and 7 acres in size, and 100 feet for lots larger than 7 acres in size. It also specifies than any earthen berm, terrace or retaining wall used to elevate the turbine be considered a part of the turbine itself.
The West Des Moines City Council Monday voted unanimously to lower the height allowed for residential wind turbines on smaller lots in the city.
The amendment changes the rules already in place to more closely align West Des Moines' ordinance with those of other cities that are following the Metro Advisory Council's suggestions. So far, no residential wind turbines have been installed in West Des Moines.
The West Des Moines City Council in 2008 adopted an ordinance regulating wind turbines on single-family residentially zoned property. The following year, city staff members served on a Metro Advisory Council technical committee to devise a model wind-turbine ordinance to be adopted throughout the metro area.
The recommendations …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The West Des Moines City Council Monday voted unanimously to lower the height allowed for residential wind turbines on smaller lots in the city.
The amendment changes the rules already in place to more closely align West Des Moines' ordinance with those of other cities that are following the Metro Advisory Council's suggestions. So far, no residential wind turbines have been installed in West Des Moines.
The West Des Moines City Council in 2008 adopted an ordinance regulating wind turbines on single-family residentially zoned property. The following year, city staff members served on a Metro Advisory Council technical committee to devise a model wind-turbine ordinance to be adopted throughout the metro area.
The recommendations were accepted by the metro group late last year.
During its regular meeting Monday night, the council approved the second reading of the amendment, then voted to waive the third reading and adopt the changes, the most dramatic of which deal with height and setback requirements.
The amendment alters maximum tower height from 100 feet under the previous ordinance to 65 feet for lots between 1 acre and 3 acres in size, 80 feet for lots between 3 acres and 7 acres in size, and 100 feet for lots larger than 7 acres in size.
It also specifies than any earthen berm, terrace or retaining wall used to elevate the turbine be considered a part of the turbine itself.
The amendment also increases required setbacks from 110 percent of system height to 150 percent of system height, and clarifies the setback measurement as being from the property line to the portion of the turbine that is closest to the property line.
Those changes, as well as the others listed in the amendment, bring West Des Moines' ordinance in line with the metro group's recommendations.
West Des Moines' development coordinator, Chris Shires, said the city's only wind turbines are used commercially, but he's pleased the council adopted the amendment so concrete rules will be in place if residents seek out alternatives to conventional energy.
"The Metro Advisory Council's suggestions did a good job of helping us flesh out some things that may not have worked well anymore in the former ordinance," Shires said. "The new and improved language will help remove any confusion or ambiguity when the time comes to refer to the ordinance for residential installation of a turbine."