FeedsWestland to adopt new wind turbine law
Click image to enlarge
_While Westland officials have a history of encouraging “green” technology and care for the environment, they aren’t about to allow it to have a negative impact on the well being of residents.
Last week, after much study and discussion, council members approved the first reading of an ordinance which will govern and control the used of wind turbines in the city, including setback, height, noise and shadow flicker.
“Right now, if somebody came to me and said could they put one in, I’d have to say, well no, because we don’t have an ordinance for it,” said Planning Director Bruce Thompson.
He explained that this latest ordinance follows one the city adopted for solar panels and continues the Mission: Green initiative now it the third year in Westland.
“We’re trying to make alternative energy easier and trying to make it happen,” Thompson said.
The ordinance, which will become effective after a second reading and adoption by council members next month, was prepared in an effort to minimize any adverse effects that wind turbines and wind energy facilities might potentially have in residential areas, Thompson said.
While there are currently no wind turbines in operation in the city, Thompson said that the Wayne Westland school district was discussing the installation of one of the energy devices at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center.
That project, according to Principal Steven Kay, is part of a state renewable energy grant, and the career-tech center was one of only 15 schools to receive such funding.
“We got a total of $150,000 which includes three wind turbines, solar panels and a bio-diesel converter,” Kay said. He added that the project is a valuable one for the teaching and learning of the students.
“We’re only in the permit and approval process,” he said, “but we hope to have the installation done by the first frost.”
Thompson said that he expected this new ordinance would be utilized primarily for rooftop or residential installation of turbines.
“While this ordinance does regulate the larger, commercial turbines, I doubt that we’re going to see a lot of that,” he said. “I think it will be like the solar panels, smaller units installed as an additional power source on homes.”
The use of turbines, according to the ordinance, would be allowed in residential districts. Residents could have a rooftop unit and the ordinance would allow a second roof-mounted turbine or a free-standing wind turbine as a special land use in residential districts.
The city will require careful design, siting, noise limitations and innovative camouflaging techniques, according to Mayor William Wild.
“This ordinance, along with a recent ordinance to encourage and regulate solar energy systems, shows the city’s commitment to being environmentally friendly and working toward the long term sustainability of our community,” Wild said.
