July 2, 2016
Pennsylvania

Shaler working on ordinance regarding windmills

Shaler woking on ordinance regarding windmills | By Rachel Farkas | Tribune-Review | Friday, July 1, 2016 | triblive.com

Shaler commissioners will decide whether to allow windmills in residential and commercial areas later this month.

A public hearing will be held July 12 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 300 Wetzel Road, Glenshaw on the new Wind Energy Systems ordinance.

Work on the ordinance began earlier this year after the township received an inquiry from a resident about windmills.

The township did not have anything on the books regarding windmills or wind turbines.

“We had a request from a resident who owns residential property along the Route 28 corridor and wishes to erect a windmill on the undeveloped property and include that in the sale of the property,” Rogers said.

An earlier draft of the ordinance said small wind energy systems could be used “for the purpose of serving residential or commercial buildings.”

However, when the planning commission reviewed the ordinance on June 20, members wanted to restrict the wind energy systems to commercial properties along the Route 8 and Route 28 corridors, said building inspector Bob Vita.

The board of commissioners will have to decide whether small wind energy systems will be restricted to commercial zoning districts or not.

Other regulations in the ordinance state that a property can only have one wind turbine or serve a single structure.

Noise from the systems cannot exceed 50 decibels as measured at the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling or 10 decibels above ambient noise at any hour, whichever is higher.

The tower may not be lighted and all wiring from the tower to the system must be underground.

No part of the small wind energy system structure, including guide wire anchors, can extend closer than 10 feet to the property boundaries.

No parts of the turbines can extend within 20 feet of the ground and blades cannot be over parking areas, driveways or sidewalks.

The wind turbine must be in compliance with the Uniform Construction Code, FAA Regulations and National Electric Code. Anyone in violation of the ordinance will be guilty of a summary offense and could face a fine of up to $600.