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Home My WebLink About2/1/2011 - Minutesa ^ L z PLANNING COMMISSION 2 a �Q 3 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2011 Commissioners Present: Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. Jason Peters Mr. David Radford, Vice - Chairman Commissioners Absent: Mr. Gary Jarrell Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. John Murphy Ms. Lindsay Blankenship, Greenway Coordinator Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Call to Order: Mr. Radford called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. McNeil gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. Approval of Agenda Mr. Peters made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4 -0. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hooker made a motion to approve the minutes of January 4, 2011, which passed 4 -0. Mr. McNeil made a motion to approve the minutes of January 18, 2011, which passed 4 -0. Consent Agenda Mr. Thompson provided a brief overview of the Ray Craighead petition. He then reviewed the Board of Supervisors January 25 Work Session comments regarding the large and utility wind energy systems ordinance. He stated that the consensus of the Board was to continue moving forward with the development of the ordinance. Mr. Peters made a motion to approve the consent agenda for March 1, 2011, which passed 4 -0. Page 1 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2011 Public Hearing 1. Proposed amendments to the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendments to Articles II (Definitions), III (District Regulations), and IV (Use and Design Standards) would incorporate small wind energy system regulations into the county's zoning ordinance. Mr. Thompson provided a brief history of the development of the proposed ordinance. He reviewed revisions, including system height, setbacks, noise, and lighting. He also noted the proposed amendment includes provisions regarding MET towers. Mr. Radford opened the public hearing for public comment. Mr. Steve Hanes, 10250 Mill Creek Road, expressed concern regarding safety from falling towers, ice throws, and blade disintegration. He also expressed concern regarding noise levels from the systems. Mr. Mark Hanson, 184 Vista Lane, Fincastle, VA, stated there is no evidence of property values decreasing due to installation of system. He stated he owns a wind turbine. He stated quieter designs are available. He compared sound level to a refrigerator. He stated issues with birds have been on the lattice style systems. He stated his system provides clean energy and his neighbors cannot hear his system. He stated he would not encourage placing a system on roof since vibration does increase. Mr. Philip Key, 3044 Burnleigh Road, discussed availability of commercial systems. Ms. Mary McCallum, 4828 Wade Road, discussed several issues including setback requirements and height requirements, noting the setbacks should have ability to be changed with special use permit. She discussed the importance of have a tall tower for small wind system. She stated this type of system provides clean energy. She suggested setbacks for wind systems supersede any existing setbacks. Mr. Todd Locke, 670 East Augusta Avenue, discussed his desire to have a system installed at his house. He stated a switch to control wind speed would assist with ice and noise control. He discussed the importance of having energy resources for the future. Mr. Frank Porter, 6529 Fairway Forest Drive, discussed negative impact to property valuation. He also discussed the importance of protecting ridgelines and viewsheds. Mr. Brent Riley, 5280 Wade Road, suggested camouflaging systems. He also discussed acquiring meters and sending power back through meter. Mr. Eldon Karr, 8011 Poor Mountain Road, stated he has been a member of Board of Zoning Appeals for 22 years. He expressed concern regarding noise Page 2 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2011 and viewsheds. He noted small wind systems are more efficient than large wind systems. With no other citizens requesting to speak, Mr. Radford closed the public hearing. Ms. Hooker stated more discussion is needed on viewshed protection. Mr. McNeil discussed difficulty of considering all lots throughout county. Mr. Thompson and commissioners discussed this issue. Mr. Peters inquired about overlay restrictions. Mr. Thompson discussed viewshed protection. Mr. Radford discussed requiring special use permit in order to consider each application for system. Ms. Hooker concurred. Mr. McNeil suggested moving forward with ordinance and make adjustments as needed in future. Mr. Thompson discussed options. The commissioners discussed standard for height restriction. Mr. Radford suggested using a height limit of 60 feet. Mr. Thompson discussed setback and height options. Mr. Peters inquired about guy wires. Ms. Hooker discussed this issue. Mr. McNeil made a motion to recommend approval of the ordinance as amended to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (4 -0) with the following vote: AYES: Hooker, McNeil, Peters, Radford NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Citizen Comments Mr. Michael Scott, 8469 Poor Mountain Road, stated the proposed ordinance is more favorable to developers. He expressed concern regarding potential health issues associated with the decibel levels and flicker issues. Mr. James Scott, 8443 Poor Mountain Road, stated noise levels vary with different types of systems. He discussed the need for an environmental noise study. He stated staff has missed reporting on lower frequency noise created by turbines. He suggested hiring an expert to report on noise levels. Ms. Karen Scott, 8443 Poor Mountain Road, stated she has lived in area four decades. She expressed concern regarding low frequency noise and ice throws due to low setbacks. She stated wind currents carry noise. She expressed concern regarding damage from low frequency noise and vibrating structures. She suggested providing regulations regarding use at night. Mr. Darryl Branstetter, 6568 Sylvan Brook Road, stated decibel levels should be lower especially in bedrooms. He expressed concern regarding ice build -up on the systems. He stated towers are already obsolete. He stated providing tax credit for systems is wrong action to take. He suggested exploring other forms of energy production in order to provide efficient energy. Page 3 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2011 Mr. Eldon Karr, 8011 Poor Mountain Road, stated ordinance has not addressed protection of viewsheds. He discussed tourism and preservation of area for children. He discussed development of "Friends of the Parkway" on Bent Mountain. He stated citizens need protection. He suggested sending special use permits to Board of Zoning Appeals for consideration. Mr. Frank Porter, 6529 Fairway Forest Drive, discussed the importance of conservation easements and viewshed protection. He stated turbines will decrease property values. He discussed importance of considering property rights of adjacent property owners. Mr. Mark Hanson, 184 Vista Lane, Fincastle, VA, stated he believes some wind turbines are attractive. He stated much of the noise from the turbines is inaudible. With no other citizens requesting to speak, Mr. Radford closed the citizen comment period. Commissioners' and Staff Comments There were none. With no further business or comments, Mr. Radford adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan Carter Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission lt�4 'J• C/ Philip try, mpson Secret Roanoke County Planning Commission avid Radford Vice - Chairman, Roanoke ounty Planning Commission Page 4of4