7.5 SR 10-19-2020Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and City Council
7.5
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Public Hearings
October 19, 2020
Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner
Item Description
Reviewed by
Ordinance Amendment: City of Elk River
Zack Carlton, Planning Manager
Regarding Signage on Wind Turbines
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion, an ordinance amending City Code Section 30-804, wind turbines.
Background/Discussion
Case No. OA 20-06
The city is requesting an ordinance amendment to allow signage or advertising for the owner/operator of a wind
turbine. In 2009, the city adopted an ordinance regulating wind turbines (Section 30-804) which includes language
prohibiting signage or advertising of any kind on the tower or any associated structures. The intent was to prohibit
wind turbines from becoming large signs and was commonly found in peer city wind turbine ordinance language.
Staff believes signage for the owner/operator on the turbine will not negatively impact the aesthetics of the tower
or surrounding areas and recommends removing the prohibition from Section 30-804.
Planning Commission
The commission discussed potential negative impacts that could occur with signage on the turbines but concluded
that due to the limits on location of the signage, negative impacts are very limited.
No one spoke for or against the request and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Financial Impact
None
Mission/Policy/Goal
This ordinance amendment meets changing needs
Attachments
■ Ordinance Document
■ Turbine Exhibit
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires pi ospei ly.
M
TUREJ
Updated.• August 2020
of
.ver
Ordinance 20 -
to be removed
Underlines to be added
An Ordinance Amending Chapter, 30-804, Wind turbines of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota, City Code
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. That § 30-804, Wind turbines of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances shall be
amended to read as follows:
(h) General requirements.
(1) Signage. Signage or advertising for the owner/operator may be placed on the nacelle.
(2) Climbing apparatus. All climbing apparatus shall be located at least 12 feet above the
ground, and the tower must be designed to prevent climbing within the first 12 feet.
(3) Vind access easements. The enactment of this section does not constitute the granting
of an easement by the city. The owner/operator shall be responsible for acquiring any
covenants, easements, or similar documentation to assure sufficient wind to operate the
wind turbine.
(4) Abandoned tourers. If the wind turbine has not operated for a period of six successive
months, or fails to meet the conditions of this section, the city council may order it
dismantled and the site restored to its original condition.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and be published as provided by
law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 19th day of October, 2020.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Last Updated January 2019
P a w E R E R R Y
UREI
City of Elk River
Background
■ City is requesting an OA to allow signage for the
owner/operator of a wind turbine.
Sec. 30-804. - Wind turbines.
(h) General requirements.
1) Si ng e:_ Signage or advertising for the owner/operator may be placed on the nacelle. _
( C§mbing ap
parallts. -,U climbing apparatus shall be located at least 12 feet above the
ground, and the tower must be designed to prevent climbing within the first 12 feet.
(3) Wind access easements. The enactment of this section does not constitute the granting
of an easement by the city.. The oxvner/operator shall be responsible for acquumg any
covenants, easements, or similar documentation to assure sufficient wind to operate the
wind turbine.
(4) Abandoned to revs If the wind turbine hos not operated for a period of six successive
months, or fails to meet the conditions of this section, the city. council may order it
dismanded and the site restored to its original condition.
AI 1 FA
•
Planning Commission
■ No one spoke for or against the request and the PC
unanimously recommended approval
Action Requested
■ Adopt, by motion, an ordinance amending City Code Section
30-804, wind turbines