New county ordinance on wind energy placement

[Culy]

In the county I live in there was a new ordinance passed that is going against the green movement. The new ordinance states that : Installation of "ANY" wind energy converstion system may not be nearer than 350 feet or 1.1 times the height of the tower, whichever is greater, to any property lines, roadways, RR right-of-ways or overhead lines. Yes they used the word "ANY"!
This ordinance pretty well makes it imposible for most to put up even a small unit as most properties are not large enough for the 350' rule since the placement would mean you would have to own a lot the size 700' X 700' to stay in the 350' range.
Most property owners own less than a 200' X 200' lot. It puts the screws to them even if they want to put a small roof top model up. Seems to me they dont want the general public to generate there own juice?
Whats your 2 cents on this?
How are ordinances in your area regarding wind energy?

[John Newman, Jr.]

I guess it is no different than the subdivisions that won't allow roof top TV antennas. Find out which county council people voted for this ordinance and do what you can to vote them out next time they are up for election. Go public with your side. Surely there would be a newspaper or television station that would take a story about an 'Anti-Green' law being passed.

[Sonny Reese]

We are in the middle of a 240 turbine area here and have 2 of them on our farm.---The county board refused the permits the first go around, but I talked the company involved to re-file and I would attend the hearing and give a bullet proof presentation in favor of the project!---Well the objectors were out in force BUT had no valid reasons or proof to stand on.---Virginia and I had done our homework and I presented facts backed up with documents and pics.,so in the end the board had to say yes to the project.
I did this thread on antique farming (the old forum) and an updated pic post on the new forum, if you care to look!

http://alltractorsusa.com/forum/view...er=asc&start=0

Here is a link to the progress of the construction of the 2 turbines on our farm.---lots of pics. from foundation excavation to final blade hanging!---the pics are a little out of order, but you can see how they are put up and the massive size of ours (1.65 megawatt, each) thanks; sonny

[krapie]

"wind energy conversion system" does this include the Amish and their water well windmills?

[Culy]

I've got a 12' tower that I would like to put up with my zenith wind charger just for fun and charging batteries. I dont think they will let me do this acording to this ordinance.

[Randy Hart]

I see several sides to this having been in a near situation.

I can understand the concern about distance limits to a neighbors property as something 200' tall only 10' from your neighbor could be a social and or safety problem.. Not to mention the possible noise ? if any from the rotor chopping it's way through the air. Their property value and scenic concerns all lumped into a big welcome wagon basket.

I feel their action is just posturing for a bigger round of rules to come along and set the standard in the near future.

We have seen outdoor wood burners in our township pop up by the dozen and then the board put permitting into force to make sure of lot size and distance limits to the neighbors.
Some burn all year long and that can be a problem.

Cell towers: We have one on our 52ac farm and at first the neighborhood was not all in favor, but because it was my mothers the opposition was just small talk and we avoided pickets and people chaining themselves to the tower and bricks with death threats thrown through the window.
The township tried to put a stop to the three that were to be built at that time but the cell co. had utility status and was immune to the local yocals.
I was confronted one day at the mailbox by my neighbors daughter claiming she was worried about her parents property value ! ( and what her share would be when they kick off, You would have to know her ) I looked over at the place and mentioned a fresh paint job and new shrubs and haul off all the junk and the value should be just fine! (1*)

For years this country has rushed to head off things only to be consumed by those things in short order. I'm sure once the Green wave catches on more and more, a lot of the local restrictions will be overturned or adjusted in a more fair manner.

(1*) Taken from the "How to win friends and Influence people" Book by Andrew Carnegie.

[BobRR]

Originally Posted by Culy

I've got a 12' tower that I would like to put up with my zenith wind charger just for fun and charging batteries. I dont think they will let me do this acording to this ordinance.

A 12ft. isn't much bigger then some of the little wind mill yard ornaments. I dont think they would give ya any trouble.Unless they really don't have anything else to do or you have a idiot for a neighbor. I would go for it. Bob

[Culy]

Dont have any neighbor problems but the wifes uncle is one of the county commiss's and we attend a church that some others go to? Plus I do some repair work for a few of the commiss's farm opp's. I don't want to stir the pot too much if ya get my point!!!

[Candy T.]

Hi Culy,
We have a 32 Volt Wincharger too. It needs the wooden paddle board. You wouldn't happen to know the dimensions or have a diagram of one. We went to the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa show and saw a really nice one there. What type of wood was used?
It's just one of our many projects.
Thanks,
Candy T.

[GarysToys]

How about the development in Virginia that does not allow clothlines because it look like peasant live there.

These are the same liberals that are worried about global warming.

[Candy T.]

GarysToys,

I saw that on the news and thought how silly. Clotheslines being banned because uppity people thought they were eyesores. I wonder what their great-grandmothers would think of their descendants. Every back yard used to have clotheslines.

I took mine out to place them with a horseshoe pit. But, we used them when we were kids. And when it rained, you used the basement or the diningroom. Anywhere you string up a string maze.

The country wants everyone to go green but just not at the expense of sacrificing the beauty of the neighborhood.

If you don't my frontyard or backyard just don't look in that direction. Keep your eyes focused on the road ahead of you and pass on by, or take another route. Problem solved.

Who needs another ordinance.

My two cents worth,
Candy T.

[Jeff Smith]

Search YOUR State Statutes & Constitution and you may find that you can install your little windmill. I am not a lawyer and don't claim to be, but I have been researching and doing my homework to see if I could install a small windmill in my yard also.

I live in Florida and this is taken directly from the state statutes at this link:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/...TOKEN=59911881

If you go to the link and type in "163.04" you will find the following below:

163.04 Energy devices based on renewable resources.--

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.

(2) A deed restriction, covenant, declaration, or similar binding agreement may not prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources from being installed on buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restriction, covenant, declaration, or binding agreement. A property owner may not be denied permission to install solar collectors or other energy devices by any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant, declaration, or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential dwellings and within the boundaries of a condominium unit. Such entity may determine the specific location where solar collectors may be installed on the roof within an orientation to the south or within 45° east or west of due south if such determination does not impair the effective operation of the solar collectors.


"Other provision of general or special law" may be the issue for me; if I read this correctly, the City can pass a law similar to what you ran into and I would be out of luck also.....................but if I lived in a Home Owner's Association it appears above that I might be able to install the little wind mill?

Maybe some fellow "Stakers" that are lawyers could shed some light on this?

I would love to get my windmill up before any "ordinance" would be passed so I could claim the "grandfather" approach such as the neighbor down the street plans too.

Jeff

[Sonny Reese]

The bigger problem is that this is nationwide!---We have had these kinds of stupid ords. for many years,here, but lately they really started getting on people about some of the most stupid little things!---I too think they need to look the other way, or use a different road, but they dont see it that way! thanks; sonny

[BergmanJ]

There are idiots on BOTH sides of the political fences - I see NO value to this thread in namecalling based on individual political persuasion.

JLB

[Avery22x36]

I am just getting into the whole Windcharger issue but I have sold windmills to all kinds of towns that don't allow them. In almost every case an exemption was found for "farm Husbandry, or domestic water" that got out of the "where tower will land rule" In most cities and towns if you get along with your neighbors and they are not down at city hall screaming bloody murder nobody usually says a thing anyway. If you can get along with people life just runs smoother

[Phil P]

Hello

In Florida there is several state and local building ordinances that prohibit the erection of structures such as radio towers or anything similar and they have all been upheld in a court of law. The reason for this is because they are intended to prevent this type of structure from striking any area outside the property owner’s property rights when and if the winds of a hurricane blow it down.

As is normal you will find structures that don’t comply with the ordinances because they were built before the ordinance was written.

Phil P

[ciggs]

I saw on TV years ago it was a science show science internation? they had a lower windmill like design that looked like 2 barrels cut in half spinning S they made a huge one in the end. that might more plasuable not as high made out of light materials easy to maintain, out of sight out of mind.

[Kirbinator]

The ordinance is an enforcement of proper engineering guidelines. As a ham radio operator and sometime tower climber, I can tell you that most towers which are guyed will fall within the guy wires IF they experience a failure.

Generally speaking, monopoles (looks like what it sounds like) don't experience failures and other types of towers do (lattice, truss, etc.). However, monopoles aren't used above about 175 feet. Monopoles aren't guyed either. They are the most expensive type of tower however, but can be pre-built and shipped in on a single semi trailer.

Back to the ordinance, if you have a 190 foot tower which is guyed at 100%, you have 190 feet from each of the guy anchors to the tower base. There are other combinations where the guy anchors are closer, but a failing tower is mostly unpredictable behavior. Usually, the tower gets pulled into one of the guys until it bends, then moves to another guy and repeats. The result is that the tower "gently" falls to the ground directly below it and in the circle made by the guy wires, resulting in the tower bent into the shape of a helix or corkscrew. However, the issue is this: how do you keep a tower from falling onto your neighbor's property? And do you really want your house destroyed from a tower falling onto yours (even if the tower was your own idea)? So that's why the ordinance exists; to limit liability and dangerous situations from existing. Ultimately, it lowers the caseload of the local court. It does have the side effect that it limits home power generation along with ham radio operators. But anyone who has ever designed a tower installation knows that eventually a tower will fall -- either through weather or 200 years from now when someone forgets to service it.

[Harry Funk]

First off, who cares if said ordinance is "against the (so-called) green movement" or not?

It's against FREEDOM!

Specifically, it's against the freedom we all have to build and live as we choose on our own property, as long as we do not infringe upon the freedoms and safety of our neighbors. And erecting a residential-sized windmill cannot remotely be construed to be "unsafe" or endangering others......

I live in LaPorte County, Indiana. To my knowledge, there are no such county ordinances limiting windmill construction in my county.

I'd be curious if the electric company/companies that serve your area had any role in this ordinance........

Perhaps the intent of this law is that the county commissioners want only Amish windmills in your area??? LOL.

I plan to erect a windmill of some kind to generate some of my power soon. I will probably go with a Modified Lenz VAWT design that I will build myself.