Ordinance 15-09 Amending HCC 21.58.020(d) Installation Requirements, Deleting the One-Acre Minimum Lot Area for Small Wind Energy Systems

                                                                              CITY OF HOMER                                                                       

                                                                              HOMER, ALASKA

Councilmember Zak

                                                                            ORDINANCE 15-09 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, AMENDING SUBSECTION (d) OF HOMER CITY CODE SECTION 21.58.020, INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS, TO DELETE THE ONE-ACRE MINIMUM LOT AREA FOR SMALL WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS.

WHEREAS, Wind energy systems have become more sophisticated and diverse since the existing wind turbine definitions, standards, and other governing ordinances of the city of Homer, Alaska, were created in 2009; and

WHEREAS, The Homer City Code currently lacks standards recognizing that there are now new types of wind energy systems that have much smaller underlying footprints and dramatically lowered noise levels; and

WHEREAS, The Homer City Code currently lacks standards recognizing that there are now new types of wind energy systems that have largely eliminated the potential harm to birds; and

WHEREAS, The Homer City Code currently lacks standards recognizing that there are now new types of wind energy systems that have much greater stamina with respect to Alaskan weather; and

WHEREAS, The Homer City Code currently lacks standards recognizing that modern wind turbines create the opportunity to decentralize locally and, as a result, better deal with climate change, natural disasters, and terrorism; and

WHEREAS, The Climate Action Plan of the City of Homer encourages renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, The cost of electric power has become a serious financial issue for the citizens and small businesses of Homer.

               NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF HOMER ORDAINS:

Section 1.  Subsection (d) of Homer City Code 21.58.020, Installation requirements, is hereby amended to read as follows:

d. Dimensional Requirements.

1. The distance from a small wind energy system to the closest property line may not be less than 1.1 times its total height.

2. All guy wires, cables and other accessory support structures for a small wind energy system must be on the same lot as the small wind energy system, but may be located within required setback areas, and shall be properly jacketed to ensure visible safety standards.

Section 2.  This Ordinance is of a permanent and general character and shall be included in the City Code.

               ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, this ________ day of ______________, 2015.

                                                                                                         CITY OF HOMER                                                        

_____________________

                                                                                                         MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

YES:

NO:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

First Reading:

Public Hearing:

Second Reading:

Effective Date: 

Reviewed and approved as to form.

Mary K. Koester, City Manager                                                          Thomas Klinkner, City Attorney

Date:                                                                                                             Date:                                                       

Fiscal Note: NA