HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo to BOCC Wind Energy
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 7, 2009
TO: Board of Commissioners
FROM Nick Lelack, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Wind Energy Siting Code Amendments
Summary / Background:
The purpose of this work session is to discuss potential amendments to the Deschutes County
Code (DCC) related to wind energy siting. For an overview of this issue, please find attached a
presentation provided by a panel at the Oregon Planning Institute (OPI) on September 17, 2009.
Staff is able to provide additional materials to the Board on this topic. In addition, the
Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) will discuss this topic at its annual meeting next month.
In sum, wind energy facilities are allowed throughout Deschutes County in most zoning districts
as a “utility facility for commercial energy production” or as a residential accessory structure.
However, the height limitations effectively preclude the installation/development of such
facilities. The maximum building height in most zoning districts is 30 feet. Exceptions are
allowed for structures to be up to 36 feet outside of the Landscape Management (LM)
Combining Zone. The Draft Comprehensive Plan includes policies to encourage and allow
individual and commercial alternative energy, including wind farms.
On related issues, staff is able schedule a work session with the Board to discuss amendments
to the solar ordinance. The Community Development Department is also in the process of
determining how to permit alternative construction methods to allow grey water reuse.
Discussion
Wind energy siting is divided into two broad categories: Small Wind Energy Systems that are
for residential or small scale, non-commercial use; and (2) Commercial-Scale Wind Farms. The
key issues in development wind and/or renewable energy ordinances generally are:
• Height and setback distances/projects;
• Lot size;
• Aesthetics;
• Sound/noise; and
• Number of turbines/units.
Staff expects the process to develop code amendments to site wind energy systems to be
similar to the process to develop and adopt the Amateur Radio Facilities (“Ham Radio”) code
amendments. The reason is that rural residents will likely express similar concerns over the
small individual wind energy systems that may be located on a neighbor’s property. The most
significant concerns will likely be about height and/or impacts to views. However, residents will
also likely express concerns over sound/noise and aesthetics.
Code amendments to allow the siting of wind energy systems could occur through:
1. Allowing higher maximum building heights for the turbines (all other development
standards would apply); or
2. Developing a wind energy systems ordinance that addresses the range of key issues
discussed above.
The wind energy siting code amendments could be initiated by the Board or occur as an early
action item following the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan update.
Board Direction
This item is for discussion only.
TA-08-3, BOCC Memo Page 2