Why Not Youngstown? Cities OK Green Energy Permits

[Why?Town]

Good question, Rick

[Rick Rowlands]

Why should government have a role in allowing/disallowing wind turbines to begin with? 

[Why?Town]

Is there currently something on the books that prohibits residential wind turbines in the city? Seems that it would take a crystal ball to decide to prohibit technology before it happens.


But let's say there is a law and that Youngstown decides to change it to follow Naperville's lead and allows, after "vett(ing) through the city's lengthy conditional use process",  residential wind turbines on properties  of more than 10 acres. How many 10+ acre residentail properties are there in the city?

[Dan Moadus]

Yeah. They should hurry. All those Youngstowner's being deprived of owning their own windmills. Maybe they could make them combined windmill/shot spotters.

[irishbobcat]

Why Not Youngstown? Cities OK Green Energy Permits

There was a lot of wind blowing through the council chambers Tuesday night, but after an hour and a half's discussion, council members finally agreed — small wind turbines are in.

The Naperville, Illinois City Council voted 6-3 Tuesday to approve an ordinance that adds a Small Wind and Solar Energy Systems chapter to the city's code book.

The new ordinance permits small wind roof-mounted turbines in commercial and industrial districts and ground-mounted wind systems in industrial districts. Both ground and roof-mounted turbines are allowed in all other zoning districts — including residential neighborhoods — so long as owners are willing to have their proposed turbines vetted through the city's lengthy conditional use process.

"I think we made the right decision in not eliminating it from the residential areas, but to take each individual case as it comes along," said Mayor A. George Pradel. "Because we don't even know how much interest there is in it or how viable it is for the area."

All around the unincorporated edges of Heath,Texas, tall wind turbines are popping up. But not in Heath.
Like many others, the Rockwall County city has been wondering how best to deal with new clean energy technology.

A year ago, the city passed an ordinance limiting wind turbines to properties of 100 or more acres.

"The council did that initially to buy some time," Assistant City Manager Kim Dobbs said. "It allowed them to study the issue further."

A three-member committee ended up recommending a more liberal ordinance. The City Council approved it unanimously Tuesday night. The law still strictly defines where the towers may be placed.

"What the committee really worked with was trying to make it a little more user-friendly," City Council and committee member Steve McKimmey said. "Now it's an entitlement."

Residents are entitled, however, only if the turbine will be on 10 or more acres. Those who want a turbine on smaller sites must still apply for a permit. Rooftop turbines also require a permit.