Code changes would emphasize the 'general right' of property owners to use renewable energy.
In an article in the Summit Daily News, penned by Bob Berwin on November 27, 2009, it is reported that, even though still subject to additional review and public comment, local officials are revamping development rules to establish guidelines for renewable energy systems including solar arrays, wind turbines and small wood-burning furnaces.
Currently, county codes don't spedifically address some key questions about these emerging technologies. Updated code language could help foster more installations of small-scale, renewable energy systems.
The general thrust of the discussions is to give property owners the right to use these resources as long as there is no significant impact to neighbors or the environment.
For solar arrays, the code changes would allow erection nearly anywhere on the property other than in the front yard between the house and the street. The systems would be allowed to exceed the maximum allowable building height by 10 percent. Solar panels would also be allowed in setbacks.
Wind turbines are not anticipated to be much in demand because there simply aren't many areas where adequate winds are sustained. They would be allowed in some rural areas. Quieter, vertically mounted turbines would be allowed in all zoning areas, not to exceed maximum building heights by 10 percent.
Small-scale, wood-fired burners that could make use of some of the beetle-killed pines would be limited to side and rear yards with stack height permitted to exceed maximum building height by 10 percent. The county would like to encourage the use of wood-burning energy systems as long as they meet applicable clean-air standards and other environmental requirements.
Small-scale hydropower installations would also be allowed in all zone districts under regulations aimed at protecting stream flows, water quality, aquatic habitats and impacts to surrounding areas.
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