Turbine changes blow into Gaines
To keep up with the winds of change, Gaines Township is considering amending its zoning ordinance to establish rules and regulations for wind energy turbines.
Township Planning Commissioners recommended approval of the ordinance amendment in October and Township Board members examined the changes through a first reading at their November meeting.
Board members are expected to make a final decision on the matter at their next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 at Township Hall, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave.
According to township planners, the purpose of updating the wind energy section is to promote clean and renewable energy while providing the necessary regulations to maintain the health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the township.
“With an energy crisis occurring everywhere, wind turbines are becoming something that are being installed throughout the country,” said Tim Haagsma, a planning commissioner and township trustee. “Staff thought it would be a good idea to be proactive rather than reactive in coming up with some regulations regarding wind turbines so we aren’t looking at these structures without rules or regulations.”
Gaines reviewed wind turbine regulations for 22 different Michigan municipalities before proposing changes. If approved, the zoning ordinance amendment would allow wind energy turbines in all zoning districts, but with different standards.
Under the proposed regulations, in the residential, single family residential, multiple family residential and mobile home districts, turbines may not stand in a residence’s front yard and may stand a maximum of 75 feet tall.
In the agricultural/agri-business and agricultural/rural-residential districts, turbines may exist in front yards with a minimum 60-foot setback. The maximum height allowed is 100 feet.
Turbines in the residential and agricultural districts must have a minimum of 15 feet between the ground and the bottom edge of the blade.
In the office service, neighborhood commercial and general commercial districts, a turbine may stand up to 75 feet in height, and a 50-foot front yard setback is required.
Turbines in the light and heavy industrial districts may stand up to 100 feet tall and must meet a 50-foot front-yard setback. In the commercial, office and industrial districts, turbines must have a minimum of 20 feet of clearance between the blade edge and the ground.
For all zoning districts, side and rear yard setback and required minimum distance separation from other existing structures is determined by the height of the wind turbine plus 10 feet.
Only one accessory wind turbine, or turbines placed on an existing structure, may be located on one structure. All accessory wind turbines are subject to a maximum height determined by the overall height of the structure it is attached to, plus 10 feet.
“In considering a zoning permit for a turbine, the applicant must include the turbine’s size, blade clearance, proposed location and setbacks from all lot lines and structures,” said Planning Director Brian Tingley. “The color, architectural nature, location of all landscaping, enclosures and signage and make and model, including noise and kilowatt output, must also be included. All turbines must receive the appropriate building and electrical permits as well.”
The city of Kentwood approved wind energy turbine guidelines in August. Kentwood’s guidelines state that small wind energy systems, or wind systems that have a rated capacity of no more than 100 kilowatts of power, are permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts.
Residential Kentwood turbines may stand up to 30 feet tall by right and turbines ranging between 30 feet and 60 feet require a special use permit and approval. Commercial turbines may stand 45 feet tall, with a special use permit required up to the allowable 60 feet. Industrial turbines may stand 60 feet tall, with a special use permit required for turbines between 60 feet and 120 feet in height.
The efficient energy created by wind turbines has been influential in West Michigan in recent years.
A 30-foot-tall Calvin College wind turbine has been producing efficient energy for the school since April 2007. The turbine is located just west of East Paris Avenue, near the Gainey Athletic fields that Calvin College and the Grand Rapids Christian schools share.
In January 2007, Caledonia Community Schools unveiled a wind turbine at Kraft Meadows Middle School that, at full charge, can power 10 computers for up to 12 hours at a time.
For more information on proposed Gaines Township wind energy turbine regulations, call the Township Hall at (616) 698-6640.
By Herb Woerpel
Southeast Advance
1 December 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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- Kentwood: Rules OK'd for wind energy systems
- Public opinion sought on Fruitland Township wind ordinance
- Norton Shores council supports wind turbine ordinance
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