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05-07-13 Planning Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, 7 MAY 2013 7:00 P.M. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL / (LIAISON) SCHEDULE DAVIS (Mar) GENG (Apr) CHARBONNET (May) GARELICK (Aug) LABADIE (Sep) MADDY (Jul) MUEHLBERG (Jun) APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5 March 2013 1. MINOR SUBDIVISION Applicant: Dave and Lori Free Location: 5885 Seamans Drive 2. MINOR SUBDIVISION Applicant: Joan Whetston Location: 26040 Smithtown Lane 3. DISCUSSION Trail Implementation Process Zoning Code — Wind Generators 4. 2013 WORK PROGRAM 5. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 6. OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS 7. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA Planning Commission Meeting Agenda 7 Mav 2013 Page 2 REPORTS Liaison to Council SLUC Other ADJOURNMENT CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013 MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners Charbonnet, Davis, Garelick, Labadie, Maddy and Muehlberg (arrived at 7:06 P.M.); and Planning Director Nielsen Absent: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA Davis moved, Garelick seconded, approving the agenda for March 5, 2013, as presented. Motion passed 6/0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 5, 2013 Davis moved, Charbonnet seconded, approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2013, as presented. Motion passed 6/0. 1. 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING — ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR ZONING PERMITS Chair Geng opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 P.M., noting there were no members from the public in the audience this evening. Director Nielsen explained the topic of zoning permits came up in 2010 when Staff brought the idea up. Zoning permits would be for various activities that are regulated by the City's Zoning Code (the Code) but not covered by building permits. The best example is a driveway. There are setback and hardcover requirements for driveways, but a permit is not needed to construct one. In 2010 the then Planning Commission recommended, on a 4/2 vote, Council adopt an ordinance amendment to establish a system for zoning permits for eight activities. When Council considered the proposed amendment there was some concern about micromanaging. The amendment failed for lack of a motion. During a June 11, 2012, joint meeting of Council and the Planning Commission Council agreed to reconsider an ordinance establishing zoning permits for various activities. During that meeting there was discussion about adding some additional activities to the list. As part of its review of the General Provisions Section of the Zoning Code the Commission decided to add five more activities to the zoning permits list. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 2 of 12 Nielsen provided the Commissioners with a copy of the City of Chanhassen's zoning permit brochure. He noted Staff fully intends to use it as a model for a brochure for Shorewood. Although Chanhassen's brochure explains what zoning permits are about, the more important information included is about the value of zoning permits to residents. It explains that once a zoning permit is complete and approved the documents are placed in the property's building file. There is a record that the property owner has complied with code. Nielsen stated when a person applies for a zoning permit they will be informed of what the requirements are. He cited an instance where a property owner installed a driveway that ended up being partially on the abutting property. That was an expensive problem to correct. That problem could have been avoided if they would have had to apply for a zoning permit. Nielsen read through the list of the thirteen activities that are proposed to require a zoning permit. They are as follows. 1. Accessory buildings less than 120 square feet in floor area 2. Fences 3. Driveways 4. Temporary signs 5. Sport and tennis courts 6. Patios and sidewalks 7. Retaining walls higher than three feet (no separate permit required when a building permit is required for grading) S. Above - ground fireplaces and cooking facilities (not including portable appliances) 9. Irrigation systems 10. Playground equipment or systems occupying more than 64 square feet of ground area or exceeding six feet in height 11. Underground animal control fences 12. Tents and canopies erected for more than two weeks in a 12 -month period 13. Portable storage facilities not associated with a valid building permit and located on property for more than 30 days in a 12 -month period Nielsen noted that Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance amendment. Seeing no one present wishing to comment on this matter, Chair Geng opened and closed the Public Testimony portion of the Public Hearing at 7:12 P.M. Commissioner Garelick stated he thought the zoning permits system will help make property owners accountable. He then stated based on what he knows if a municipality does not require zoning permits the value of properties decline. Commissioner Davis asked if activity 12 is intended to prohibit car ports. Director Nielsen noted permanent car ports would be subject to a building permit. Davis then asked if these will be enforced on a complaint basis. Nielsen explained the City does not go looking for this stuff. The City's policy has been passive enforcement. Davis then asked what complaints the City has received in the last two years that would have been covered by the activities proposed to be covered by zoning permits. Nielsen responded driveways are the biggest problem. Nielsen stated the City has been trying to deal with fences with building permits, while noting that technically the Building Code doesn't cover fences unless they CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 3 of 12 are six feet tall or taller. Temporary signs have been addressed under the Building Code as well, while noting there is nothing in the Building code that relates to temporary signs. Director Nielsen explained there was a situation where a person took out their deck to bring their hardcover into conformance. When that person applied for a permit a few years later for something else Staff found out that person constructed a patio where the deck had been. That person explained that because the patio didn't require a permit it must have been okay to put a patio in. The person had to take the patio out because of being over the hardcover limits. He stated it is one thing when the violating property owner is caught for violating something. But, it's another thing when the new property owner who had nothing to do with the violations has to suffer the consequences. He explained the City has not received many complaints about playground systems. He was aware of a situation where part of an irrigation system was installed on the wrong property. There have been instances where animal control fences have crossed over property lines. More and more cities are addressing the issue of tents and canopies (portable structures). There have been two incidences of portable storage facilities being on properties for a long time. Commissioner Maddy asked what a property owner has to do to prove where their lot lines are. Director Nielsen explained in some cases it is as easy as looking up a property's survey at City Hall. Most new properties or properties where something has been done have a survey on file with the City. Other times a property owner will have to locate their property stakes. There are also times where a person has to hire a surveyor to locate the lot lines. Commissioner Davis explained that she and her husband don't do anything without first having the City Building Inspector out to talk about it. Commissioner Garelick stated not long ago there was an issue discussed about excessive noise being generated by a property owner and his family who drive recreational motorized vehicles on that property. He asked if there was any way to possibly address that type of problem through zoning. Director Nielsen explained the City is still working on that issue from a land use perspective, and that the issue has nothing to do with the proposed zoning permits system. Commissioner Charbonnet asked if there should be something about [driving] tracks in zoning permits. Director Nielsen stated the City does not allow them. Davis moved, Garelick seconded, recommending approval of the Zoning Code text amendment relative to zoning permits. Motion passed 7/0. Director Nielsen stated this item will be placed on Council's March 25, 2013, meeting agenda for further review and consideration. He explained that normally zoning items are considered by Council during its second meeting of the month unless there is some urgency. The reason for that is to ensure the related Planning Commission's meeting minutes are available for Council to read so they are privy to the conversation. Commissioner Davis asked if the City's zoning permit brochure will be ready for the spring season. Director Nielsen responded it will be. Davis then asked if the permit fee will be $20 as the Planning Commission had discussed. Chair Geng explained that during Council's February 11, 2013, meeting there was discussion about possibly having a graduated fee. Geng stated he thought the fee amount is something Council will want to deal with. Nielsen noted the minimum permit fee is $20. Davis stated CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 4 of 12 some of the activities for which zoning permits are proposed are relatively simple things while some are more involved (e.g., a driveway). Davis then stated she thought a graduated fee is a good idea. Commissioner Muehlberg stated he thought a $20 fee is fairly insignificant. Director Nielsen stated these proposed activities that would require a zoning permit will probably require one inspection. He then stated if it turns out the $20 fee is not enough based on the amount of staff time taken staff can propose an increase in the fee. He noted he thought $20 was an appropriate place to start. Commissioner Labadie cautioned against making the zoning permit fee cost prohibitive. That could encourage people to try and circumvent what the City is trying to establish. She stated she understands the concept of the graduated fee and why it may make sense, but she thought it could be a little tricky. She expressed her preference for keeping the fee low. Chair Geng closed the Public Hearing at 7:29 P.M. 2. DISCUSSION • Trail Implementation Process Director Nielsen stated his memorandum on this topic indicated that he planned on providing the Planning Commission with a revised trail implementation process outline for discussion this evening. He noted that he does not have that done. He stated instead he is going to talk about the issues with the current process that was included in the Trail Implementation Plan when the Park Commission was still in charge of the trails. Nielsen explained the first step in a trail implementation process is to identify what trails are up for consideration in a particular year. The next step is to assess the characteristics of the area and connections to other trails, to identify the type and width of the trail, and in some cases what side of the road it should be on. That information would help direct the engineers in the trail feasibility study. Nielsen then explained the trail walk identified in the original process was intended to get residents in an area of a future trail to come and provide input on issues with the given route. Residents did not get involved during the Smithtown Road (west) Trail [from the Shorewood /Victoria border to the Minnewashta Elementary School and then on to the Lake Minnetonka Light Rail Trail at Eureka Road] project walk/ride. The walk/ride was a valuable exercise for the Planning Commissioners. Therefore, a trail walk/ride will be one of the steps in the revised process but it will not include the public. Instead, public involvement would be gained through a neighborhood open house event. That proved valuable for the Smithtown Road (west) Trail. There was information available for residents that in many cases answered their questions. The open house format makes it easy to deal with individuals or small groups of residents. It allows residents to be flexible as to when they come to it. Therefore, it is proposed that an open house be part of the process. Nielsen noted that the County Road 19 Trail (from the existing sidewalk in front of the Tonka Village Shopping Center in the City of Tonka Bay north along the east side of County Road 19 to the Lake Minnetonka Light Rail Trail (LRT) Trail) and the Smithtown Road (west) Trail are both scheduled to start in June and be completed in 2013. He stated that obtaining the needed easements for both of those projects took a significant amount of time. Therefore, a significant about of time needs to be built into the process for property acquisition. He then stated Council was recently provided with a somewhat detailed CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 5 of 12 project schedule for the Smithtown Road (west) Trail. He recommended a similar schedule be added to the process for all trails. He noted the engineers told Staff that the feasibility study for a trail would be far more useful and accurate if the survey was conducted before the feasibility study was conducted. He stated that will be suggested in the process. Nielsen stated the City has been approved for a grant through Hennepin County along with the City of Excelsior to help pay for a feasibility study for the Mill Street trail segment. He noted that will occur on the County's schedule; the County will be ordering the study. Staff assumes the County will do the necessary survey work. Nielsen noted that is all he has on this topic this evening. Zoning Code — General Provisions Director Nielsen stated the Planning Commission began reviewing the General Provisions section of the Zoning Code in 2012. During the review it identified a few items that need further study and those are included in the Commission's 2013 work program. He then stated some portions of that Section had been reviewed in detail a few years before that so there was little if any review needed (e.g., Subd. 11 Signs). He explained under Subd. 10 Essential Services underground and overhead electric transmission lines require a special permit. Xcel Energy is proposing upgrading the transmission line to a high powered voltage line, part of which would be located in the City. In accordance with the City's Ordinance that would require a conditional use permit from the City. Staff has been told by some attorney that the State does not have to do that. He stated he will consult with the City's attorney to find out if the Essential Services section should be amended to reflect reality. Nielsen stated Subd. 12 Home Occupations is an ordinance that has served the City very well. He explained there are basically two types of home occupation — limited home occupation and special home occupation. The limited home occupation is a quiet use and does not require a permit. A special use occupation requires a conditional use permit. That occupation may have equipment that the business uses that is not specific to a residential property. It has up to one employee that comes to the property. There may be clients that come to the site. He stated the City has a list of questions that would help a resident determine which type of occupation they have. Nielsen noted Subd. 13 Flood Plain Development is up to date. Subd. 14 Regulations Applicable to Shoreline Property was reviewed about three years and some changes were made relative to docks. That ordinance is also up to date. Nielsen stated Subd. 18 Solar Access indicates it is reserved for future use. To date solar access has not been an issue. There are residents who have solar panels on their homes and they have not violated the City Code. He noted the Planning Commission's 2013 work program includes the study of wind generators. Council suggested the Commission also discuss solar at the same time because it is an alternative energy. Nielsen then stated at one time fire lanes were a big issue. Subd. 19 Fire Lanes has resolved that and it has been working very well. Nielsen noted the Planning Commission's 2013 work program includes a study of elderly housing (Subd. 20). Allowable density will be part of the study. As will discussion of how various types of elderly housing are viewed. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 6 of 12 Nielsen stated Subd. 21 Telecommunications Towers and Facilities has been working well. There are not many, if any, new requests for towers. Current cellular providers do make requests to change out equipment and this ordinance already addresses that. Nielsen noted the Planning Commission's 2013 work program includes a study of residential zoning districts. Galpin Lake Road and Mill Street Trails Director Nielsen noted the Galpin Lake Road trail segment (between Highway 7, at County Road 19, and the City of Chanhassen) and the Mill Street trail segment (between Chanhassen and the City of Excelsior) are indicated as first -phase priority in the Trail Implementation Plan. They are scheduled for 2014. They are the next two segments identified (after The Smithtown Road and County Road 19 segments) in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). With regard to the Mill Street segment, Nielsen explained Chanhassen has a bituminous trail that stops at its border with Shorewood (Holly Lane). Excelsior has a sidewalk that crosses a bridge over Highway 7 and ends at Wheeler Drive. Excelsior is looking at doing the segment in between. He stated there should be some money available for this trail segment because it is found on Hennepin County's Bicycle Gap Map which identifies where bicycle routes stop but should be connected. With regard to the Galpin Lake Road segment, Nielsen explained the City will try to get some help from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the portion that would go along Highway 7. MnDOT built a segment of trail in Excelsior in 1991 that goes from County Road 19 near some apartments in Excelsior. Excelsior got money because it does not receive any Municipal State Aid (MSA) construction funds. Shorewood does receive MSA funds so it would probably not get that benefit. Nielsen explained that the Mill Street segment would be confined to the County right -of -way (ROW). The concrete sidewalk in Excelsior that comes across the bridge is only four feet wide. The trail in Chanhassen is eight feet wide and is bituminous. He noted that during the Trail Implementation Plan project there was discussion about having a six -foot -wide bituminous surface standard for trail segments. He then noted the City asked for quotes for both a bituminous trail and a concrete trail for the County Road 19 trail/sidewalk to compare costs. The Smithtown Road (west) Trail will be concrete to be consistent with the City of Victoria trail it will connect to. He stated it would be nice if the Mill Street segment could accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians; that would require at least an eight -foot -wide surface. Chair Geng asked if there is any flexibility with Excelsior. Director Nielsen stated he is not sure there is much flexibility with the sidewalk that goes over the bridge, and it is unlikely Excelsior would want to narrow the traffic lanes to make the sidewalk wider. Excelsior may consider widening the trail on the south side of Highway 7 if the Shorewood trail segment ends up being eight feet wide. Nielsen noted that Excelsior has not committed to constructing a portion of the Mill Street segment. Geng then asked Nielsen if he anticipates Shorewood will go forward with its portion of the Mill Street segment even if Excelsior does not go forward with its segment. Nielsen stated he would expect so and explained the committee who developed the Trail Implementation Plan had no indication that Excelsior would construct the segment at that time. Director Nielsen stated there appears to be a fair amount of support from the residents near the two possible trail areas. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 7 of 12 Commissioner Davis stated she understands the Galpin Lake Road trail segment coincides with a roadway project. She suggested that the roadway improvement plans be reviewed when considering trail segments to find out if there are opportunities to do roadway and trail projects at the same time. Director Nielsen noted that there will not be a new crossing at Highway 7 for the Galpin Lake Road trail segment. People would have to go to the existing crossing. Nielsen explained the Chanhassen trail on the west side of the road is an eight -foot -wide bituminous surface that stops at the Pleasant Avenue boundary with Shorewood. The section that would go through Shorewood is approximately one -half mile long. The segment that goes along Highway 7 would mirror the section constructed in Excelsior several years ago. He thought it is ten feet wide. There is a guard rail on the Highway 7 side. Because the land drops off, there is a retaining wall and fence on the lake side. He commented that it will be an expensive segment of trail to build. Chair Geng asked if the City could avoid the cost of a retaining wall if the trail segment were constructed on the east side. Director Nielsen clarified he is talking about the segment along Highway 7. Director Nielsen stated when there is question as to which side of a roadway a trail segment should be constructed on Staff recommends the survey include the ROW on both sides. The survey information can be used for other projects as well. Chair Geng asked if staff anticipates ROW issues. Director Nielsen stated not on the Mill Street segment because Hennepin County has 66 feet of ROW. Nielsen then stated the City's ROWS are typically less than those on County roads. The City's standard ROW is fifty feet. Chair Geng asked Director Nielsen what he is looking for from the Planning Commission this evening. Director Nielsen stated he needs suggestions about which side the trail segment should go on. Director Nielsen recommended the Mill Street trail segment match the Chanhassen trail going north as a starting point. It would be an eight -foot -wide bituminous surface. He stated that would make for a bike route for the City's residents as they go south. He thought it makes sense to have the trail on the east side of the roadway unless there are issues that make that difficult. Chair Geng suggested the Planning Commission walk the two proposed trail sites in April, noting they are each approximately one half mile long. Director Nielsen stated he will find out if Hennepin County will pay for the survey work for the Mill Street trail segment. Commissioner Muehlberg stated the area is very tight for a trail the closer it would get to Excelsior. Director Nielsen agreed. Commissioner Labadie asked if Hennepin County awards a certain number of grants per year. Director Nielsen stated it has awarded them annually. Director Nielsen stated the feasibility studies for the Mill Street and Galpin Lake Road trail segments will be done in 2013 and the easement acquisition process, if needed, will begin this fall. He noted that constructing trail segments will come down to funding. He explained the Smithtown Road (west) Trail is to a large degree being funded out of the City's Infrastructure Fund and with some MSA funds. The City CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 8 of 12 will try to secure a grant from the Safe Routes to Schools program, but competition is tight for those funds. He stated during the Council and staff retreat on March 23'd there will be discussion about how to fund various City projects. He noted the City has had a zero tax levy increase for the last few years. Therefore, the City is not setting money aside for projects like these. Commissioner Davis asked where she can find a copy of the map reflecting when the various roadways in the City will be reconstructed. Director Nielsen recommended that, for the section of the Galpin Lake Road trail segment, it could run parallel to the highway mirroring what Excelsior did several years ago. It would be ten feet wide if that were done. Chanhassen's trail on the west side is eight -feet -wide bituminous. He stated there has been discussion about possibly breaking the Galpin Lake Road trail segment into two parts with the first being the portion along the Highway 7 segment from Oak Street to Galpin Lake Road. That could be done if money dictated that. Nielsen stated the City has a four or five foot sidewalk along a portion of Lake Linden Drive on the west side. He stated he thought it would be relatively inexpensive to continue the sidewalk up to the north side of the Highway 7 and Highway 41 intersection. People could cross Highway 7 to get to the Chanhassen trail system. He noted the City's goal is to be part of the Chanhassen trail system. Nielsen told the Planning Commission that the Three Rivers Park District (TRPD) is going to build an overpass in the area where the LRT Trail intersects with County Road 19. The details on the overpass have not been finalized. Chair Geng noted the City has been awarded an $18,000 grant from Hennepin County to help pay for the construction of the County Road 19 trail segment. Director Nielsen added that it was a Hennepin County sidewalk grant. Director Nielsen reviewed options the TRPD is considering for the overpass ramps and their locations, noting that has not been finalized. He stated he will get the Planning Commission more information on the overpass. Chair Geng asked why the TRPD would not build a stairway for walkers. Commissioner Davis stated she thought the current LRT crossing is more dangerous for bicyclists than pedestrians. Director Nielsen stated he thought the island that was constructed at the intersection has helped with safety. He asked the Planning Commission if they have any additional comments about the Mill Street and Galpin Lake Road trail segments. Commissioner Davis asked Nielsen what he wants from the Commission, noting she did not think any of the Commissioners oppose the two segments. Nielsen responded that thoughts about the width would be helpful. Davis suggested building whatever can get built. Nielsen suggested the Commission make a better recommendation than that. Nielsen reiterated his recommendation that the Mill Street segment accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians and that means at least an eight -foot -wide trail. That is not necessarily essential for the Galpin Lake Road segment. Davis said the standard is eight feet wide and suggested that be adhered to when possible. Nielsen clarified there is no standard, and that the starting point is a six -foot -wide bituminous surface. Davis clarified in the industry the standard is an eight -foot -wide bituminous surface. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 9 of 12 There was ensuring discussion about where the crossing for the Galpin Lake Road segment should be. Chair Geng stated he would like to see a survey of the proposed trail segment before the Planning Commission walks the areas. Commissioner Davis concurred with that. Commissioner Davis stated if Galpin Lake Road is going to have to be surveyed for roadway improvement work in the next few years she asked if the survey could be done ahead of time and then be used for the trail project. Chair Geng stated the timetable for roadway improvements may not mesh with the timetable for the trail project. Director Nielsen stated a survey won't go bad, and supported suggesting the roadway survey work be done as soon as possible so the trail project can use it. Director Nielsen stated the surveyors will likely suggest the survey not be done until after the snow has melted. 3. 2013 WORK PROGRAM Nielsen reviewed his list of items in the 2013 Planning Commission work program and explained each one briefly. • Zoning Code Study / General Provisions — with the exception of elderly housing this is basically done • Noise Ordinance — because the draft ordinance was not done for this meeting it was pushed out to April • Update Trail Implementation Process — that will be presented to the Planning Commission in outline form for discussion during its April meeting. Because the Trail Implementation Plan is part of the City's Comprehensive Plan, it may require a public hearing. If a hearing is required that would be held in May. • Smithtown Crossing — What is next? — discuss in May • Trail Plan / Galpin Lake Road Trail — start discussion in March. Based on the updated Trail Implementation Plan process the work program will be updated to reflect the steps in the process. • Trail Plan / Mill Street Trail — start discussion in March. Based on the updated Trail Implementation Plan process the work program will be updated to reflect the steps in the process. • Zoning Code Study / Zoning Permits — the public hearing was held in March and it will go before Council during its March 25h meeting. • Zoning Code Study / Wind Generators — start in April • Zoning Code Study / Life Cycle Housing (elderly housing) — start the discussion in May. If there are changes recommended a public hearing would be scheduled for June or July. • Comprehensive Plan / Planning District 6 — starting in July revisit the study done a few years ago and refine the process to be followed • Annual Variance Discussion — September • Comprehensive Plan / Policies Relating to Variances and Nonconformities — start discussion in September • Zoning Code Study / Residential Districts — start discussion in July • Sustainability / Minnesota GreenStep — no timeframe Nielsen noted he will provide the Planning Commission with a copy of the revised work program. Nielsen asked the Planning Commissioners if there is anything they would like added to the work program at this time. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 10 of 12 Commissioner Garelick asked if there is any type of joint meeting with other planning commissioners planned. Director Nielsen responded not specifically, but that topic did come up at the GTS (Government Training Service) training session hosted by the City of Greenwood earlier in the year for people in the South Lake area. Nielsen noted the City hosted a "park summit" for park representatives in the South Lake area last month. That went over well and there was consensus to do that on a quarterly basis. Nielsen stated he thought the training session is the best opportunity to interact with other planning representatives and council representatives in the South Lake area. Director Nielsen noted there are training opportunities for Planning Commissioners and that the City will pay for them to attend. He stated he will get that information to the two new Commissioners. Commissioner Muehlberg asked what the different options would be for Planning District 6. Director Nielsen explained that some of the odd zoning is on the south side of County Road 19 in the C -2 Commercial Service zoning district. The plan has been for that zoning to go away on the south side and to expand the existing R -C Residential Commercial zoning district where the South Lake Office Building is located. The R -C district would extend to the Garden Patch property. Nielsen then explained the properties on the north side of County Road 19 are different because they front Lake Minnetonka. The owners of those properties want to be able to do something with their properties that will capture the value of their properties. He noted the access to the properties crosses the LRT Trail. The property owners only have a license to do that; there is no permanent easement and the right -of -way doesn't cross. He explained the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) could decide to make them stop using that access. If that were to happen the only way to get to the properties would be through the City of Excelsior along a small residential street. He stated nothing about those properties lend themselves to a high- intensity use there. Staff had suggested that on the Lake Minnetonka Dredging Company property it could maybe accommodate twelve twin -home or town -house units. The property owners were not supportive of lower intensity uses. The residents to the west of those properties did not want to see anything change and he thought that was because they did not understand things. 4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor presented this evening. 5. OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS Appoint Chair and Vice -Chair for 2013 Davis moved, Garelick seconded, recommending the appointment of Thomas Geng to the position of Planning Commission Chair for 2013. Motion passed 7/0. Geng moved, Muehlberg seconded, recommending the appointment of Sue Davis to the position of Planning Commission Vice -Chair for 2013. Motion passed 7/0. Determine City Council Liaison Schedule for 2013 Chair Geng explained the Council Liaisons are selected to attend the two regular Council meetings in the month they are designated as the Liaison. The role is to observe what goes on during the meeting that may be of interest to the Planning Commission and to pass that along to the Commission during its next meeting. The Liaison also reports to Council on the Planning Commission's most recent meeting. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 11 of 12 Council Liaisons were selected as followed: March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 Commissioner Davis Commissioner Geng Commissioner Charbonnet Commissioner Muehlberg Commissioner Maddy Commissioner Garelick Commissioner Labadie There was Planning Commission consensus to continue to schedule the Commission meeting for the third Tuesday of the month if the first Tuesday of the month falls on a holiday or the day after a holiday. That means the September meeting will be scheduled for September 17''. Commissioner Charbonnet stated he read a newspaper article recently about private fire hydrants not being properly maintained. He asked if there are any private hydrants in Shorewood. Director Nielsen explained there are two of them out on the islands in Shorewood. Residents were assessed for the cost of doing that. When they tried to use one of them it failed. Chair Geng clarified those are dry hydrants and dry hydrants take water out of Lake Minnetonka. Nielsen stated it is hard to maintain the dry hydrants. Nielsen explained the Mound Fire Department [which provides fire service to the islands] supported installing the dry hydrants. He stated dry hydrants are not a great idea. He then stated the fire department doesn't rely on lake water anymore; it has tanker trucks. He then stated there are no other private fire hydrants in the City. Charbonnet explained the gist of the article was property owners were not aware they are responsible for maintaining the hydrants. 6. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA Director Nielsen stated the next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2013. During that meeting there will be discussion about a noise ordinance, the trail implementation process and wind generators. He then stated he would cook brats for the Commission prior to the meeting. Commissioner Charbonnet stated his children will be on spring break the week of April I" so he may be out of town for the next meeting. 7. REPORTS Liaison to Council Chair Geng gave a brief report on the February 11, 2013, and the February 25, 2013, City Council meetings about items related to the Planning Commission (as detailed in the minutes for those meetings). SLUC Director Nielsen stated the March 27, 2013, Sensible Land Use Coalition (SLUC) program is titled When Does Government Policy Trump Property Rights? It will be point /counterpoint debate of the tension between public interest and individual rights in the land use arena. He provided a little background on SLUC. He noted that the City will pay the fee for Planning Commissioners to attend SLUC programs. He stated he will probably have the City purchase the video recording of the program. He asked the Commissioners to let him know in the next day or two if they want to attend. Commissioner Davis stated she wants to attend. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 2013 Page 12 of 12 Other Commissioner Davis asked if any consideration is being given to addressing the wild turkey problem in the City that is growing by leaps and bounds in her neighborhood. Commissioner Maddy asked what the problem is with having turkeys around. Davis stated they leave a lot of feces around and they have picked pine trees in her neighborhood bald. Davis then stated when they breed this spring the problem will become that much worse. Director Nielsen stated that to date Council has not chosen to take that issue up. Davis asked if other communities are doing anything about it. Nielsen stated turkey complaints are down. Davis stated leptospirosis is quite common because of all the wild animal feces. She asked if a person could get that if they are in contact with turkey feces. She stated that would be the deciding factor because that is a cross - species disease. 8. ADJOURNMENT Garelick moved, Davis seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of March 5, 2013, at 9:15 P.M. Motion passed 7/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Christine Freeman, Recorder CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331 Phone: (952) 960 -7900 • FAX: (952) 474 -0128 • Email: planning @ci.shorewood.mn.us PLANNING AND PROTECTIVE INSPECTIONS MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council FROM: Brad Nielsen DATE: 2 May 2013 RE: Free, Dave and Lori — Minor Subdivision FILE NO.: 405(13.01) I:1. Toll! :(H.ZI]1101 Dave and Lori Free have requested approval to subdivide their property, located at 5885 Seamans Drive Street (see Site Location map — Exhibit A, attached), into two lots, as shown on Exhibit B. The property contains 3.7 acres and is zoned R -1A Single - Family Residential. The Free's home currently occupies the property. The subject property is characterized as being quite flat, fairly heavily wooded, with approximately the northerly third of the property consisting of wetland. As proposed, the northerly lot will have approximately 121,825 square feet of area, including wetland area. The southerly lot will have approximately 40,902 square feet which, according to a wetland delineation commissioned by the applicants, does not include any wetland area. ANALYSIS /RECOMMENDATION Although both of the proposed lots meet or exceed the requirements of the R -lA zoning district, there are two issues that must be resolved as part of the approval process: 1) street right -of -way; and 2) wetland conservation easements. The right -of -way for Seamans Drive is substandard at 33 feet of width adjoining the Free property. Since land across the street is unlikely to be further developed, the 17 feet of right -of -way necessary to bring Seamans Drive up to standards must come from the east side. This will not adversely affect the size of the proposed lots, nor the setback for the Memorandum Re: Free Minor Division 2 May 2013 existing home. Prior to review by the City Council, the applicants' attorney must provide a deed conveying the right -of -way to the City. 2. As can be seen on Exhibit B, a substantial portion of the northerly lot is delineated as wetland, pursuant to the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). Since the existing home was constricted prior to adoption of the WCA, it actually extends into the 35 -foot buffer that is now required abutting wetlands. The driveway also encroaches into the wetland. The wetland area has been identified as a conservation easement, which has been legally described by the applicants' surveyor. The conservation easement description should be revised to include the buffer also. Prior to Council review of the application, the applicants' attorney must provide a deed conveying the conservation easement to the City. The deed should address the existing encroachments. It is worth noting that the southerly lot is quite buildable. The proposed subdivision, in itself, will not result in any tree removal. Consequently, it is recommended that tree preservation and reforestation be addressed with any building permit for the southerly lot. Approval of the subdivision is recommended, subject to the following conditions: A. The applicants' surveyor should revise the legal description for the conservation easement to include the 35 -foot buffer. B. The applicants' attorney must provide deeds for the following: I. The (revised) wetland conservation easement. 2. The additional 17 feet of right -of -way for Seamans Drive 3. Drainage and utility easements, 10 feet around each of the lots (not including conservation easement). C. The applicants' attorney must submit an up -to -date title opinion for the property for review by the City Attorney. D. The applicants' surveyor must stake the 35 -foot wetland buffer and show the location of the stakes on the survey. E. Items A -D, above must be completed within 30 days, after which the request will be scheduled for review by the City Council. F. Prior to release of a resolution approving the subdivision, the applicants must pay $5000 in park dedication fees and $1200 in local sanitary sewer access charges for the new lot. Credit is given for the lot with the house on it. -2- Memorandum Re: Free Minor Division 2 May 2013 G. Once the applicants have received the Council resolution approving the request, they must record it with Hennepin County within 30 days or the approval is void. Cc: Bill Joynes Paul Hornby Larry Brown Tim Keane Dave and Lori Free N A 0 300 600 Freeman Park *m CD o � 0 NELSINE DR D WILD ROSE LA 1,200 09 Feet m FR 231 ads Subject property Hi CLUB LA Minnetonka Country Club O U Y O V I A. 43 UJ V) Q Q W 1) I 1 1 1 I I I I (It h- X/ I\ 1 1 L- L- I \ L- I \ �J \J ♦! 1 L_ ll t ♦J I lJ L- / \ \J L- L. �/ 1 \! I \ NEST LINE OF LOT 1, MEEKER'S EAST LINE OF LOT 1, MEE(ER'S _ WTLOTS TO EXCELSIOR WTLOTS TO EXCELSIOR ` M7006 N89o15'28 "E 327.64 FD �I NORTH' idl� �l�, i 22.28 — o j SOl °39'12 "E _ SW COT. LOT 1, EXCELSIOR R'S [ SE COR. LOT 1, MEEKER'S i WTLOTS TO EXCELSIOR [ OUTLOTS TO EXCELSIOR ` ' • I I FD IP — [F— — — FD IF 0.9 FT. E. [ 1.7 FT. N. / -\ tJ Ll 1 \/ I \ ♦/ [ j WOOD FENCE LIES_ 1` [ EXISTING BUILDING ON PROP. LINE 12.4 x 10.5 i dCV' 3 z 1 � u m PARCEL 1 - - PROPOSED CGYJSLRI'ATioN EASEMENT 1 � N WETLAND DEUNEATED BY SONOELL AND MADSON, ON NOVEMBER 29, 2007 N II �o 14.01 S89 038'43 "E J ti N �so z J W rn }m x o N gyp � O o i EAST LINE OF LOT 69, _ AUDITOR'S SUBDIVISION NO. 133 I to SB7°273yE °5S vy / 114 p o ! 81" _ -- 902 W 429 ° .1 OE OE OE .L1. [ 3-- °� _ - - - - - -- 1 it - r °- - -. - - -7- - - - - r _ -.._ - PROPOSED DRAINAGE ,4 URUTY EASEMENT— �' � I f0 m I I 1 a NEST LINE OF LOT 59, � - AUDITOR'S SUBDIVISION N0. 133 PRoPoSED RIGHT O - WAY EASEMENT N If FD IP 0,1 PARCEL 2 114 I �ePROPOSED DRAINAC£ h U71UTY EASEMENT PROPOSED DRAINAGE &YU77UTY EASEMENT - 3."E e; i0 m -; _ _ ` a _,�._ _ 901 °39'12 "E _♦ I I� io �- — — -- -- — — — — — — — — -- 310.18 o FD Ls1� 3 LS17016 FD LS17016 N88°01'02"E 327.18 0 ♦,14.00 `,° "X16.65 SE COR. OF LOT 69, I m N88-9 A _ AUDITOR'S SUBDIVISION NO. 133 - - I . _SW COR. OF LOT 69, AUDITOR'S SUBDIVISION NO. 133 R Exhibit B II PROPOSED DIVISION CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331 Phone: (952) 960 -7900 • FAX: (952) 474 -0128 • Email: planning @ci.shorewood.mn.us PLANNING AND PROTECTIVE INSPECTIONS MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council FROM: Brad Nielsen DATE: 3 May 2013 RE: Whetson, Joan— Minor Subdivision FILE NO.: 405 (13.02) BACKGROUND Ms. Joan Whetson is the owner of the property located at 26040 Smithtown Lane (see Site Location map — Exhibit A, attached). She proposes to subdivide the lot into two building sites as shown on Exhibit B. The property is zoned R -IC, Single - Family Residential, is occupied by Ms. Whetson's home and a detached garage, and contains 50,434 square feet in area. The proposed lots will be 30,422 square feet and 20,012 square feet in area. ANALYSIS/RECOMMENDATION The boundaries of the subject property have an interesting history. The easterly 33 feet of the property consists of road right -of -way that was vacated when Smithtown Road was straightened years ago. Part of that vacated R.O.W. contains a driveway extending south from Smithtown Road, providing access to the lot immediately east of the subject property. A northerly triangle, owned by the City, was traded a few years back for the current cul -de -sac R.O.W. at the end of Smithtown Lane. That trade allowed for a turn- around to be built on the end of the street where there wasn't one previously. Memorandum Re: Whetson Minor Subdivision 3 May 2013 Both of the proposed lots comply with the lot width and area requirements of the R -1C zoning district. You will note that the new lot line separating the lots has a slight westerly deflection in it in order to achieve the 20,000 square foot area requirement. Ordinarily we do not recommend any gerrymandering of lot lines. However, since the deflection is quite slight, it does not adversely affect buildable area or disrupt the open space created by side yard setbacks. There are a number of overhead utility lines crossing the area of the new lot. It will be the applicant's responsibility to work with the utility companies to relocate those lines to the new drainage and utility easements. Sanitary sewer lines are available in both Smithtown Road and Smithtown Lane. A new service will have to be constricted at such time as someone applies for a building permit for the new lot. With that, it is recommended that the minor division be approved subject to the following: 1. The applicant must provide legal descriptions for the proposed lots. 2. The applicant must provide legal descriptions and deeds for drainage and utility easements, 10 feet on each side of each lot line. 3. The applicant must provide an up -to -date (within 30 days) title opinion for review by the City Attorney. 4. If the applicant proposes that the new lot will share the existing driveway serving the property to the east, a driveway easement /maintenance agreement must be recorded with the division. 5. Items 1 -4 must be submitted prior to the request being scheduled for City Council review, but no later than 30 days. 6. Prior to release of the resolution approving the request, the applicants must pay one park dedication fee ($5000) and one local sanitary sewer access charge ($1200). Credit has been given for the lot with the existing house on it. 7. Since the division itself does not result in the removal of any trees from the property, tree preservation and reforestation can be addressed at the time building permits are applied for. Cc: Bill Joynes Paul Hornby Larry Brown Tim Keane Joan Whetson -2- q tl R p NELSINE OR SUNNYVALE LA ¢ RD ROye y P o WILD ROSE LA u O t a � R � � PO o c a° 4 x Subject SMITHTOWN RD SMITHTOWN �A property 'I-, - —��q / N r SfRRy 5 0 300 600 1,200 Feet Freeman Park rn, AC DO AC 0 D m O " ® C SHOREWOOD OAKS EB o s PARK r • ���� . OAK LEAF TR H' A .,ee ith of of lion into. cc ,ur ty lal z ol -1 N W J w00 � I SMITHTooN RD. 1 4,1E -1 \ \ fig. -- I ITI T -- tl I \ I I; j 1 a g8.95 p I F ,1 30,422 SQ. FT. 44.3 — � I 1 I I I I I I New ld� I I I I � I � � i \ 20 ,012 SQ. FT. I > I \ o I I I I \ a I ' 10 to o CL I 1 EXI�TI G D G o ----------- � IN I Z I� I 62.6 r 1 - - - -- --------------- - - - - -- - - - - --- o os o I I 5-v -- -- - - - - -- �-------------- - - - - -- 175_71 - -- � � - -- ; -- r - - - -- I � I p I I / i — J — ou - - - --r nu - - - -- o� - -- 0u i I -- 94.24 -- N 88'57'01" E S1l1ITBTON�V Lf1NE'\ c 33 c� 0 0' LJ <C <c I c I I I I X93 np � I� l�IIIYG. NO. 1, IRON IZ IO N o C() 1 0o W l i I :E 1 � I . Exhibit B PROPOSED I I O I I I I — I J- - RD. 1 4,1E -1 \ \ fig. -- I ITI T -- tl I \ I I; j 1 a g8.95 p I F ,1 30,422 SQ. FT. 44.3 — � I 1 I I I I I I New ld� I I I I � I � � i \ 20 ,012 SQ. FT. I > I \ o I I I I \ a I ' 10 to o CL I 1 EXI�TI G D G o ----------- � IN I Z I� I 62.6 r 1 - - - -- --------------- - - - - -- - - - - --- o os o I I 5-v -- -- - - - - -- �-------------- - - - - -- 175_71 - -- � � - -- ; -- r - - - -- I � I p I I / i — J — ou - - - --r nu - - - -- o� - -- 0u i I -- 94.24 -- N 88'57'01" E S1l1ITBTON�V Lf1NE'\ c 33 c� 0 0' LJ <C <c I c I I I I X93 np � I� l�IIIYG. NO. 1, IRON IZ IO N o C() 1 0o W l i I :E 1 � I . Exhibit B PROPOSED CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331 Phone: (952) 960 -7900 • FAX: (952) 474 -0128 • Email: planning @ci.shorewood.mn.us PLANNING AND PROTECTIVE INSPECTIONS MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council FROM: Brad Nielsen DATE: 29 March 2013 RE: Revised Trail Implementation Process FILE NO. Trails (Implementation Plan) Staff continues to refine a revision to the Trail Implementation Process found in the Shorewood Trail Implementation Study (Section V. of the report). The attached proposed process lays out all of the various steps in the process. We have highlighted in bold lettering the steps that require Planning Commission or City Council action. Steps involving the public are shown with asterisks. We have also shown some of the time allotments and target months for some of the steps. This will be elaborated on before the process is officially adopted into the Trail Implementation Study. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or e -mail prior to Tuesday night's meeting with any questions you may have. Cc: Bill Joynes Paul Hornby Tim Keane Larry Brown Bruce DeJong A Residential Community on Lake Minnetonka's South Shore Trail Implementation Process 3/29/13 ➢ Planning Commission recommendation to Council re trail segment for following year ➢ Council authorizes preparation of survey and Feasibility Report ➢ Survey (30 days) — May ➢ Feasibility Report (30 days) — June ➢ Planning Commission review of feasibility report and trail walk — July ➢ Planning Commission recommendation to Council re Feasibility Report ➢ Council approves Feasibility Report ➢ Planning Commission holds Neighborhood Meeting (Open House) ➢ Council award of land acquisition services and authorizes preparation of Plans and Specifications ➢ Preparation of Plans and Specifications (90 days) ➢ Land Acquisition Process (start approx. mid -way through plans and specs) o Complete parcel descriptions and legal descriptions • Review proposed easements with staff /attorney • Letters to property owners regarding survey staking • Field stake proposed easements for Appraiser /RW Agent • Easement viewing — parcel owner and RW Agent on -site • Appraisal information • Appraisal review • Council considers resolution to authorize staff to make offers and eminent domain schedule o Prepare and deliver offers to parcel owners ➢ Neighborhood informational meeting (Open House) ➢ Begin eminent domain action ➢ Council approves Plans and Specifications and authorizes ad for Bids ➢ Receive bids for construction ➢ Council awards Construction Contract ➢ Neighborhood preconstruction meeting ➢ City possession of easements /letter of compliance ➢ Groundbreaking Ceremony ➢ Begin Construction (June) ➢ Construction substantially complete ➢ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony ➢ Restoration complete Items shown in bold indicate Planning Commission or Council action CI'T'Y OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331 -8927 • (952),960 -7900 FAX (952) 474 -0128 • www.ci.shorewood.mmus • cityha1I@ci.shorewood.mn.us j MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council FROM: Brad Nielsen DATE: 28 March 2013 I RE: Zoning Code Review - Wind Generators t F FILE NO. Zoning (Section 1201,03) I As the Planning Commission reviewed the General Provisions section of the Zoning Code over the past several months, one of the items identified for future study was wind generators (aka; wind mills, wind turbines, etc.). When the Planning Commission reviewed its 2013, Work Program, the Council suggested that solar energy be addressed as well. Since wind equipment is anticipated to involve more issues, we will begin with that. Staff has compiled some background information that may be useful as we start our review of this topic. As you can imagine, the internet is chock full of information on wind energy. The material we provide is by no means exhaustive and we encourage you to explore and share material you may come across. It is worth noting that this is not a new topic - many cities have adopted zoning regulations, some of which are intended to encourage; 'some to prohibit wind generators. The common term for the equipment in question is "wind energy conversion systems ", or WECS. To start, we have attached a couple of cases close to home. Exhibit A is an article talking about current litigation in Orono. In that case, the property owner was not given a permit because the code simply didn't address it. The most recent action by the court is to direct the City to at least review the request, which is apparently now underway. Exhibits B and C tell' of Medina's moratorium on WECS. In that case, the City has now adopted provisions that allow WECS in rural areas.(20+ acres). ` The remainder of the exhibits, D -I, are from a website called Wind Turbines Now (see windturbinesnow.com), and. are intended to provide additional background on wind energy. Staff continues to gather information for you to consider. We intend, for example, to provide a list or matrix of what other cities, particularly those around Lake Minnetonka, are doing with respect to wind energy F systems. Cc: Bill Joynes Tim Keane Paul Hornby Larry Brown ®m # ® ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Court rules in favor of Orono wind turbine ( The Laker & The PioneerThe Laker & The Pi... Page 1 of 2 One browser iotyour laptop, phone and tablet. -- d i C)" fly' r Home News Sports Schools Columns & Opinion Community Classifieds Public Notices Court rules in favor of Orono wind turbine By Amanda Schwarze on November 2, 2012 at 2:30 pm Like l'' 0 Twat ;o I Print Email The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of an Orono couple seeking to install a wind turbine on their property. After about two years of legal proceedings, the Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled that the city of Orono must again review Jay and Kendall Nygard's building permit application to install a wind turbine. (File Photo) The dispute between Jay and Kendall Nygard and the city of Orono over the turbine began in the fall of 2010. Jay Nygard applied for a building permit to construct a 21 -foot vertical axis wind turbine on his property on Rest Point Road, which was subsequently denied by city officials. In the permit denial, city officials noted that wind generators are not listed in the Orono codebook as a permitted, accessory use in the city and therefore they are not allowed. In December of 2010, Orono Planning and Zoning Coordinator Melanie Curtis said that city officials had no way to permit something that isn't laid out in the city's code. The Laker - The Pioneer Search ... submit Quel 420SUE3ARU albro & Balliro www. Balldoand Ballrio,com Federal Criminal Appeal Attorney - Federal Appeals Only I-____. __.____ __' The Latter & Pioneer Jay Nygard, a former Orono City Councilor and Planning Commissioner, disagreed with Like 42 city staffs assessment. He said that there was no city code to control wind turbines and that there was nothing written in code that said he could not install one. After receiving the denial, Jay Nygard installed the buried four -foot footing for the turbine. A neighbor complained to the city and in mid - November of 2010 he received a stop -work order from the city. Jay Nygard was told to stop performing un- permitted work and to remove any work that had already been completed. The city eventually filed a lawsuit against the Nygards in March of 2011 after Jay Nygard had installed the wind turbine pole and shortly thereafter the wind turbine itself. http: / /Iakerpioneer. com/2012/ 11/02 /court - rules -in- favor -of- orono- wind -tt AdCholces ttb Exhibit A Court rules in favor of Orono wind turbine I The Laker & The PioneerThe Laker & The Pi... Page 2 of 2 The Nygards filed their own lawsuit against the city the following month claiming their Kennelly O'KeefFe -civil rights had been violated and that they had been harassed by the city. - kennel lylaw.com { Personal injury & death. We are a law firm L , The latest chapter in suit recently came to a close when the Minnesota Court of known for success Appeals ruled that the city must again consider the Nygards' permit application. Employment Discrimination Orono Assistant City Administrator Mike Gaffron said that city officials are in the d ww,halunenlaw.com process of reviewing the permit. He said that the review is beginning at city staff level Contact Halunen Law If You Feel Yoube Been Discriminated Againstl and as of now there is no estimate as to how long it might take for the permit to be _ reviewed or to what extent the Orono Planning Commission or City Council will be Multi- Sport Backvard Fun involved in the process. www.snapSports.com We Build Backyard Game Courts Basketball Tennis Volleyball & more AdChoices C� In a joint statement, An y and Kendall Nygard wrote that the ruling, "highlights the need for local governments to consider and embrace the changing technologies and need for green innovation, especially regarding energy." Subscribe Tags: Laker, Must Read, Orono, Pioneer Print Subscriptions Facebook Related posts: RSS Feed • Medina looks at rural wind turbine rules Special Sections • Medina council OKs wind turbine moratorium • Church takes Medina to court Submit Announcements • Orono officials discuss banning roosters from city Let it be known! • Legal notice: City of Orono Engagement or Wedding Announcements Birth Announcements Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked Submit Content Submit a News Tip Name' Submit a Letter To The Editor Email " About Us r,ment Contact Us - _ _ - - - - - Advertising Post Comment © 2013 ECM I Publishers, Inc. Al Rights Reserved. Sharing your photos with just the right people. That's a plus. O � _,gl-e t http: / /lakerpioneer. coml20l2 /11/02 /court - rules -in- favor -of- orono- wind - turbine/ 3/28/2013 Medina looks at rural wind turbine rules I The Laker & The PioneerThe Laker & The Pio... Page 1 of 3 Home News Sports Schools Columns & Opinion Community Classifieds Public Notices Medina looks at rural wind turbine rules By The Pioneer & The Laker on October 1, 2012 at 7:00 am Like 0 Twwet , 0 Print Email` The Medina City Council got its first look Sept. 18 at proposed changes to city ordinances regulating wind turbines, and liked what it saw — up to a point. After a lengthy discussion, the council asked Medina Planner Dusty Finke to come back with language that would allow some property owners in rural residential areas to have micro wind turbines. Once the city council sees the new language, it will decide whether or not to include it in the ordinance. On a scale of smallest to largest in terms of size and power, micro wind turbines are the smallest ones available on the wind power scene. Internet advertisements show models with power as low as 2.1 kilowatts. This size is quite different in capacity from the three - megawatt, 407 -foot tail wind turbine that Hennepin County proposed to locate near the county public works garage in Medina. The county has withdrawn this proposal, but, at one point, some Medina residents voiced opposition to it. The ordinance proposal that came before the city council on Sept. 18 was crafted after the Medina Planning Commission had looked at the wind turbine issue for three months. Commissioners went to work after the city council on June 5 enacted a moratorium on issuance of conditional use permits (CUPS) for installing wind energy conversion systems (wind turbines). Search... Submit Quel BP wind Operations www.bp.com /energymix Learn more Information on BP's wind Ji energy solutions at bp.com tfennelly WKeeffe kennellylaw.com 1 Personal injury & death. We are a law firm 1 known for success Enl2loyment Discrimination www.halunenlaw.com Contact Halunen Law If You Feel You've — Been Discriminated Against! Vertical wind Turbine www.globaispec.com Search Thousands of Catalogs for Vertical ttt Wind Turbine to Geothermal in Iowa wvnv.munyonpandh.com Get the most out of your Property Over -- - -- 300% Efficient Equipment Northern Medical Rental wwva.northernmedicalsupply.com I Hospital Beds, Knee Walkers Scooters, JI Wheelchairs & Lift Chairs Lawyers Make Mistakes www.leventlialplic.com Legal Malpractice Happens. Who Should Be — - -- Responsible? CAE Turbine Parts www.edisonniachine.com New authentic GE and Westinghouse -- Turbine Parts AdCholces to The Laker €f4 Pioneer The city council called for the moratorium after learning that a resident on Homestead Trail was considering the installation of a 189 -foot tall, 39.9 kilowatt wind turbine to help Like 42 her save on electrical bills. Councilors talked about how wind turbine technology is changing rapidly, and city regulations need to keep up with the technology. The planning commission recommended an amended ordinance that has a significant change from the current ordinance. Currently, wind turbines are conditional uses in Rural Residential, Agricultural Preserve, Rural Residential -Urban Preserve, Rural Residential 1, Rural Residential and Suburban Residential Districts. However, commissioners recommended that wind http: / /Iakerpioneer. com/2012/ 10 /01 /medina -lo oks -at- rural- wind - turbine- Exhibit B Medina looks at rural wind turbine rules I The Laker & The PioneerThe Laker & The Pio,.. Page 2 of 3 turbines be removed from the list of uses allowed in all residential zoning districts. The commission recommended adding wind turbines as an allowed use in Business, Business Park, Commercial- Highway, Commercial Highway Railroad, Commercial General, Rural Business Holding and Rural Commercial Holding districts. Two Homestead Trail residents, Nancy and Clarkson Lindley, asked the city council to follow the planning commission recommendations and not allow wind turbines in Rural Residential areas. Nancy Lindley said she wanted Medina to preserve the appearance of the area. In contrast, City Councilor Liz Weir said she was interested in possibly allowing micro wind turbines on large lots in Rural Residential and Agricultural areas. The city council discussed limiting wind turbines in these zoning districts to 50 feet in height on properties of 20 acres or larger. The proposed ordinance amendments limit the maximum size of wind turbines in business and commercial districts to 100 kilowatts in capacity and 200 feet in height, but specific height restrictions would apply to smaller lots. Height limits would be 50 feet on properties smaller than 10 acres, and 120 feet on properties smaller than 20 acres in size. Minimum lot size would be two acres. Planner Finke and the planning commission studied extensively the issue of noise. They came up with noise limits of 6 decibels above the ambient noise level, in situations where ambient noise is above 35 decibels. Subscribe Print Subscriptions Facebook RSS Feed Special Sections Submit Announcements Let it be known! Engagement or Wedding Announcements Finke gave examples of noise levels in other situations. Normal conversations measure Birth Announcements in at 50 to 60 decibels at three feet. Whispering in a quiet room has been measured at 30 decibels, and refrigerator noise at 40 decibels. Submit Content The proposed wind turbine ordinance also has provisions regulating solar energy and Submit a News Tip geothermal systems. Solar energy systems must be connected to a structure and be no Submit a Letter To The Editor higher than five feet above the roofline. The ordinance also regulates reflections from the solar array. Other The city council also: Tabled a resolution establishing a storm sewer improvement tax district for the Enclave at Brockton Lane housing development until after approval of the final plat and filing of the plat by developer Lennar. The tax district is a back up plan that would provide money for the city to maintain storm water systems, in the event that the homeowners association does not keep up with maintenance. Approved a joint powers agreement with the city of Orono involving construction and maintenance of a trail along Willow Drive in the two cities. Updated a municipal utility service agreement between the cities of Medina and Orono regarding the provision of sanitary sewer service to the Medina Morningside area. The Metropolitan Council has taken over sanitary sewer service to Long Lake, so this city no longer needs to be part of the agreement. — By Susan Van Cleaf, Sun Contributing Editor Tags: Medina, Pioneer Related posts: - Medina council OKs wind turbine moratorium About Us Contact Us Advertising http: / /lakerpioneer. com/2012 /10 /01 /medina- looks -at- rural- wind - turbine - rules/ 3/28/2013 Medina ending wind turbine ban I The Laker & The PioneerThe Laker & The Pioneer Page 1 of 3 AlteEgAtive k trergj - � bp,corn See how BP's advanced technologies are expanding energy production, Adcholces lb Vs Today r--AWLEn ,r-. Toumnuw,.. - - - -- °121° °129° t:r•ona Neofdyittium Mas nets 46 60 rnytiwi.COrn - - -- — Inventory & Great Prices! The Laker - The Pioneer Home News Sports Schools Columns & Opinion Community Classifieds Public Notices Medina ending wind turbine ban By The Pioneer & The Laker on November 19, 2012 at 1:00 am Like 0'' Twit - 0 Print Medina officials have been working since summer on ordinance changes pertaining to alternative energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar energy. The City Council passed a moratorium on approvals for these systems to give city staff time to craft ordinance amendments. On Nov, 7, the City Council passed amendments, pertaining mostly to wind turbines. Councilors directed Medina Planner Dusty Finke to come back to the Nov. 20 council meeting with an ordinance repealing the moratorium. At first the amended ordinance prohibited any sort of wind turbine on residential property. In September, the City Council directed Planner Finke to draft changes allowing some residents of rural areas to have small wind turbines. The new ordinance says minimum lot size for wind turbines in rural residential areas is 20 acres. Maximum height is 50 Medina city councilors thanked Grace Garthwait, of Girl Scout Troop 15042, for the day of service put in by her and other scouts in the Westonke -Orono Service Unit as they celebrated their 100th anniversary. The scouts stuffed 152 bags with leaves that otherwise would have gone directly into Lake Independence and Elm Creek and fertilized waterweeds. (Photo by Susan Van Cleaf) feet, and maximum production capacity is 10 kilowatts. A wind turbine must be within 150 feet of a structure on a property and situated at least 300 feet from the property line. Medina resident Clarkson Lindley spoke up against allowing wind turbines in rural residential areas. He said they would ruin the area's rural nature. Also, the 50 -foot height limit would hinder effectiveness of a wind turbine and property owners would want variances from the limit. Residents of rural areas would have the financial wherewithal to sue the city about the height limit. http: / /Iakerpioncer. com/2012 /11/19 /medina- ending- wind - turbine -ban/ Search... ___ __ submit Quei Oil & Gas investments America- Oil.com Invest With Industry Leaders Earn 75- 80% Annually GE Turbine Parts www.edisonmachine,com New authentic GE and Westinghouse - - - -- Turbine Parts t:r•ona Neofdyittium Mas nets wvN4.KJ Magnetics.com K&I Magnetics - Rare Earth Magnets Huge - - -- — Inventory & Great Prices! �enevrabte �nero� C'ouo'ses stanford,edu /energy �- New Stanford certificate in Energy - - -! Innovation and Emerging Technology, Magnet Mof:or www.globalspec.com Search Thousands of Catalogs for Magnet — - Motor AdCholces ID The Laker & pioneer Like 42 Exhibit C Medina ending wind turbine ban I The Laker & The PioneerThe Laker & The Pioneer Page 2 of 3 "In order for them (wind turbines) to be efficient, they have to be obtrusive," Lindley said. City Councilor Liz Weir commented that technology is improving. Small wind turbines "might become quite feasible" for homeowners. Other The City Council also: Listened as Medina residents Chris and Amy Barry asked for Medina's support in asking that Xcel Energy bury its proposed upgrades of the Hollydale power distribution line when it passes within 300 feet of homes, L.akeshore Community www.savannarldge.net I I Northern MN Cabins for Sale. New Construction, Boat Slip, Pool _ Used Wind Turbines - Sale bluepi anetwind.comJwind_turbines 11 6 units Enercon E40 now for sale. 500 kW wind turbines. Contact us. Liteca Shale Acreage I www.encore- energy.com Utica Shale Lease Opportunities Utica Shale------ - Industry Investment Pggghaven Academy l DeephavenAcademy.org Private I Non - denominational I K -8 Affordable, Classical Education AdCholces to Recognized Girl Scouts from the Westonka -Orono Service Unit for raking and bagging leaves that otherwise would have added phosphorus to Lake Independence and Elm Creek. On their 100th anniversary day of service, scouts spent two - and -a -half hours Subscribe collecting 152 bags of leaves, handing out 330 informational door hangers and marking Print Subscriptions 55 storm drains with the words "Only Rain Down the Storm Drain." Facebook RSS Feed — By Susan Van Cleaf, Sun Contributing Editor Tags: Medina, Pioneer Related posts: • Medina looks at rural wind turbine rules • Medina council OKs wind turbine moratorium • Court rules in favor of Orono wind turbine • Medina sets Clam Corp purchase dates • Medina gets historic low interest rates One Response to Medina ending wind turbine ban Joel Mackey says; November 19, 2012 at 3:42 pm Special Sections Submit Announcements Let it be known! Engagement or Wedding Announcements Birth Announcements Submit Content Submit a News Tip Submit a Letter To The Editor This is really great news for residents in Medina just as prices of wind turbines are coming About Us down and technology for efficiency is improving. Glad to see this update! Contact Us Reply Advertising Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked' Name'° Email " Website Comment http: / /Iakerpioneer.com/2012 /11/19 /medina- ending - wind - turbine -ban/ 3/28/2013 Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy Reviewed 1101110 Contact Privac The Info Advantages / Disadvantages Airborne Wind Turbines Cyliudrical K Conical Wind Turbines Darrieus Wind Turbines Floating Wind Turbines Helical Wind Turbine History of Wmd Power Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines How Wind Turbines Work Magnetic Wind Turbines Offshore Wind Turbines Residential Wind Turbines Rooftop Wind Turbines Saudi Arabia of Wind Savonius Wind Turbines Small Wind Turbines Solar Wind Turbines Unconventional Wind Turbines Vertical Axis Wind'furbines Wind Conferences Wind Fnergv Facts Wind Farms Wind to Hydrogen Storage Wind Lens Wind Power Purchase Agreements Wind Turbine Accidents Wind Turbine Advertising Wind Turbines & Birds Wind'rurbine Blades Wind Turbine Costs &Prices Wind Turbine Design Wind'1'urbine Jobs Wind Turbine Lubrication Wind Turbine Manufacturers Wind Turbine Records Wind Turbine Tax Credits Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy Reviewed The advantages and disadvantages of wind energy is a topic that many who are considering renewable energy generation want to know about. Outlined below are the top 10 advantages and disadvantages of wind energy. Wind Energy Advantages 1. Wind energy is nothing new. It's a well -known method of using kinetic energy (wind) to More Info produce mechanical energy and has been around for thousands of years since the Persians and later Romans were using windmills to draw water and grind grain. Resources 2. Wind energy is a renewable resource meaning that the Earth will continue to provide this and it's up to people to use it and harness it to best advantage. 3. Wind energy is cheap and is largely dependent upon the manufacturing, distribution and building of turbines for the initial costs. The U. S. DOE estimates wind energy can be produced for as low as 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt hour. 4. Wind energy replaces electricity from coal -fired power plants and thus reduces greenhouse gases that produce global warming. 5. Wind energy is available worldwide and though some countries may be "windier" than others, the product is not like oil that has to be transported on tankers to the far regions of the earth. 6. Wind farms on average have a smaller footprint than coal -fired power plants and even though some people don't like the appearance to wind turbines, they object more to having a coal -fined power plant in their backyards. 7. Wind turbines can also share space with other interests such as the farming of crops or cattle. 8. Wind energy is available in many remote locations where the electrical grid doesn't reach. Farms, mountain areas and third world nations can take advantage of wind energy. 9. Wind energy is creating jobs that are far outpacing other sectors of the economy. 10. Wind energy doesn't have to be used solely on a commercial scale as residential wind turbines are now gaining ground in many communities. Wind Energy Disadvantages 1. Wind is an intermittent source of energy and when connected to the electrical grid provides an http: / /www.windturbinesnow. com/advantages- disadvantages- wind - energy.htm Page 1 of 3 Exhibit D Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy Reviewed uneven power supply. Some places such as the Gulf Coast region of the U. S. have too strong of j winds during hurricane season that may damage wind turbines. Z. Some people object to the visual site of wind turbines disrupting the local landscape. 3. The wind doesn't blow well at all locations on Earth. Wind maps are needed to identify the optimal locations. 4. The initial cost of a wind turbine can be substantial, though government subsidies, tax breaks and long -term costs may alleviate much of this. 5. Transmission of electricity from remote wind farms can be a major hurdle for utilities since many time turbines are not located around urban centers. 6. The storage of excess energy from wind turbines in the form of batteries, hydrogen or other forms still needs research and development to become commercially viable. 7. Some environmentalists have complained that large utility wind turbines have a detrimental effect to migratory bird flight paths. 8. Depending upon the type of wind turbine, noise pollution may be a factor for those living or working nearby. 9. Even though costs of wind energy have come down dramatically it still has to compete with the ultra low price for fossil fuel power plants. 10. Utility scale wind turbines can interfere with television signals of those living within a mile or two of the installation, which can be frustrating for homeowners. These are the top 10 advantages and top 10 disadvantages of wind energy. Make up your own mind whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for your household and your VVindene g injo(I community. Page 2 of 3 http://www. NNindturbinesnow. com/advantages- disadvantages - wind- energy.htin 3/26/2013 Residential Wind Turbines Discussed Hoene Contact Privac The Info Advantages / Disadvantages Airborne Wind Turbines Cylindrical & Conical Wind Turbuies Darrieus Wind Turbines Floating Wind Turbines Helical Wind Turbine History of Wind Power Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines How Wind'rurbines Work Magnetic Wind Turbines Wind Conferences Wind Bnergs, Facts Wind Farms Wind to Hydrogen Storage Wind lens Wind Power Purchase Atrreements Wind'rurbine Accidents Wind Turbine Advertising Wind Turbines & Birds Wind Turbine Blades Wind'rurbine Costs & Prices Wind Turbine Design Wind'rurbine Jobs Wind'rurbine Lubrication Wind Turbi ne Manufacturers Wind Turbine Recm s Wind Turbine Tax Credits Residential Wind Turbines Residential wind turbines are quickly becoming one of the most sought after commodities in the alternative energy field. And, the fact is the residential wind turbines are not new, since people have been using windmills to pump water and grind grain for centuries. Residential wind turbines have recently taken on a new meaning and are now being used to create electricity for one's home instead of and in addition to the other purposes. Residential wind turbines have moved into the cities and suburbs in the past few years expanding territories from the farmhouses. It's no secret that wind energy is the fastest growing segment of alternative energy in the United States. In 2007, the U. S. installed 5.2 gigawatts of new wind energy, which far exceeded both China (3.4 Gw) and Spain (3.5 Gw). More Info In addition, for every 10,000 Mw of wind turbines that are installed, it replaces 33 million metric tons of CO2 from coal -fired power plants, But, while some big players such as T. Boone Resources Pickens and his Pickens Plan want to focus on large utility scale use of wind energy for the masses, many homeowners are also interested. Homeowners are interested in residential wind energy because the term "energy independence" does not only have to be in reference to our country getting off the grips of foreign oil, but as individuals and families retiring from the dependency we have upon the large utility companies. So, people are turning in droves to residential wind turbines in order to reduce electricity bills, reduce greenhouse gases and become more individually energy independent. Residential or home wind turbines generally come in two different varieties including horizontal axis wind turbines (the most common) and vertical axis wind turbines (the fastest growing segment). Residential wind turbines with a horizontal axis may be placed either on a rooftop or in the yard, mounted upon a tower. In some locations, the farther distance from the ground, the higher the wind speed and the faster the home wind turbine will turn. In other locations, rooftop mounted wind turbines provide enough energy and are generally cheaper and require less maintenance than those that require towers. Home wind turbines that have a vertical axis generally can be mounted closer to the ground or upon a rooftop. These are impact less by winds that change directions, work at lower wind speeds and can have a more pleasing aesthetic design than other models. Rolling back the household electricity meter and reducing greenhouse gases is important to http://www.windturbinesnow.com/residential-wind-turbines.htm Page 1 of 3 Exhibit E Residential Wind Turbines Discussed many. Residential wind turbines help many consumers fulfill these two desires. Page 2 of 3 http:// www. windturbinesnow .com/residential- wind- turbines.htm 3/26/2013 Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines Home r iva Pnvacy cy Horizontal Axis Wind The Info Turbines Horizontal axis wind turbines have been the standard for years as opposed to vertical axis wind hubines, which are now gaining favor with homeowners. Horizontal axis wind turbines, as the name implies turn on a horizontal axis or axel. How Wind'Iurbines Work Magnetic Wind Turbines Wind Energy Facts Wind Farms Wind to Hydrogen Storage Wind Lens Wind Power Purchase Agreements Wind'I'urbine Accidents Some people still call these windmills and some still have blades of old and are in a farm setting. But, the windmills of yesterday are not the same as the horizontal axis wind turbines of today. For example, most large utility scale wind turbines such as the ones you'll find on wind farms use a horizontal axis. Utility scale horizontal axis wind turbines typically use three blades although some are now being developed that use just two. More Info Railed against by some environmentalists as "bird Cuisinarts" the utility scale horizontal axis wind turbines today are being designed to move at slower speeds and be more visible to our fare Resources feathered friends. But large utility scale horizontal wind turbines are not the only games in town. Residential wind turbines that use a horizontal axis are also coming of age. These small wind turbines will typically turn at lower wind speeds and may be mounted in the backyard or on the rooftop. Like many residential wind turbines for home use, the owners of a horizontal turbine may have to fill out zoning paperwork and / or get permission from one's homeowner association to place the device on one's roof or in one's yard (It's recommended to get this information upfront before buying or building your own). The horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) need to be pointed into the wind for optimal efficiency. The utility scale turbines may do this by using a sensor and servo motor, while the smaller turbines simply use a wind vane (tail -fan) to keep pointed in the right direction. Page 1 of 3 Exhibit F http:// www. windturbinesnow .com/horizontataxis- windturbines.htm 3/26/2013 Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Explained Home Contaol Privaev The Info Advantages! Disadvantages Airborne Wind'turbines Cylindrical & Conical Wind Turbines Darrieus Wind Turbines Floating Wind Turbines Helical Wind Turbine History of Wind Power Horizontal Axis Wind 'turbines How Wind Turbines Work Magnetic Wind Turbines Offshore Wind Turbines Residential Wind Turbines Rooftop Wind Turbines Saudi Arabia of Wind Savonius Wind Turbines Small Wind Turbines Solar Wind Turbines Unconventional Wind Turbines Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Wind Conferences Wind Enemy Facts Wind Farms Wind to Hydroaen Stomae Wind Lens Wind Power Purchase Agreements Wind'1'urbine Accidents Wind Turbine Advertising Wind Turbines & Birds Wind Turbine Blades Wind Turbine Costs & Prices Wind Turbine Desig❑ Wind Turbine Jobs Wind'I'urbiue Lubrication Wind Turbine Manufachners Wind Tuubine Records Wind Turbine'fax Credits Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Vertical axis wind turbines are in the minority compared to the horizontal variety. But fans of vertical axis wind turbines plus new technology is starting to turn heads and gain advocates. Vertical axis wind turbines tend to be for home and residential use so most are smaller rooftop or backyard installation instead of the behemoths one might find standing guard at Palm Springs, California for instance. Vertical axis wind turbines are just as the name implied, they spin on a vertical axis instead of horizontal ones and come in many different sizes, shapes and colors. Some of the advantages of vertical axis wind turbines are: 1. they tend to be bird - friendly More Info 2. they generally turn at lower wind speeds 3. can be mounted closer to the ground Resources 4. not as affected by cross -winds 5. quieter than other models Some environmentalists have dubbed the large utility size horizontal axis wind turbines to be "bird Cuisinarts" advocating against putting these machines in the bird flight pathways were the killing of such animals has been observed. Instead, many vertical axis wind turbines are bladeless, turning instead with flanges, or other wind - catching outcroppings that don't interfere with the birds' flight. Because of the design of many vertical axis wind turbines and efficiently they can generally turn at lower wind speeds than other varieties. This is especially true of magnetic wind turbines or (MagLev turbines) that have low resistance because of the use of magnets. Because vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) can turn at lower wind speeds generating electricity, they can also be mounted lower to the ground such as upon a rooftop rattier than a 50 ft. to 300 ft, tower upon which many horizontal turbines are mounted. Some vertical axis wind turbines have a cylindrical or helical design, which makes them less affected by cross winds. Many times horizontal turbines will flutter around a bit when gusty side winds and crosswinds hit. Homeowners will generally find that vertical axis wind turbines are a bit quieter in operation than there horizontal counterparts but much of this has to do with the design as well as sound Page 1 of 3 Exhibit G http:// www .windturbinesnow.com/vertical- axis - wind- turbines.htin 3/26/2013 Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Explained dampening properties of the residence itself. Vertical axis wind turbines are gaining in popularity by leaps and bounds and many of the current designs are also aesthetically pleasing to homeowners as well. Page 2 of 3 http:// www .windturbinesnow.com/vertical- axis - wind- turbines.htm 3/26/2013 Cylindrical and Conical Wind Turbines Power Homes Tlome Privact y Cylindrical & Conical Wind Privac The Info Advantages / Disadvantages Airborne Wind 'Turbines Cylindrical & Conical Wind Turbines Darricus Wind Turbines Floating Wind Turbines Helical Wind Turbine History of W ind Power Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines How Wind Turbines Work Magnetic Wind Turbines Offshore, Wind Turbines Residential Wind Turbines Rooftop Wind Turbines Saudi Arabia of Wind Savonius Wind Turbines Small Wutd'Turbines Solar Wind Turbines Unconventional Wind Turbines Vertieal Axis Wind'furbines Wind Conferences Wind Energy Pacts Wind Fanns Wind to Hydrogen Storago Wind Lens Wind Power Purchase Agreements Wind Turbine Accidents Wind Turbine Advertising Wind Turbines & Birds Wind Turbine Blades Wind Turbine Costs & Prices Wind Turbine Design Wind Turbine Jobs Wind Turbine Lubrication Wind'Furbine Manufacturers Wind Turbine Records Wind Turbine Tax Credits More Info Turbines Conical and cylindrical wind turbines are mostly used for home and residential applications. This is because most cylindrical or conical wind turbines turn on a vertical axis, which are suited well for yards and rooftops. The vertical axis wind turbines generally can tutu at a slower wind speed that those with a horizontal axis, plus they are not as affected by side winds. Vertical axis wind turbines can also hold up much more soundly in high wind speeds over 80 mph. Some of the conical wind turbine manufacturers include MagLev and Mag -Wind (such as on Jay Leno's Garage and Ed Begley, Jr.'s rooftop). In general, though, the manufacturers are more apt to produce cylindrical wind turbines than those with a cone shape. Some of the manufacturers of the cylindrical wind turbines include Pao -Wind, StatoEolian GSE, Mariah Power and Ettridge. The Ettridge cylindrical wind turbine design is made of several rotating fan blades inside a cylindrical half shell. Resources The StatoEolian GSE wind turbine in appearance is close to the design of a paddlewheel of a steamboat in which one might find gamblers on the Mississippi River in the 1800s. This cylindrical wind turbine is especially useful for harsh weather situations as it can generate electricity up to 93 mph and withstand winds up to 124 mph such as in a hurricane. Pac -Wind makes both the Aeolian and Seahawk cylindrical wind turbine models that are both built for low wind conditions and will work at homes and remote locations. These are both also useful for backup power. The Mariah Power Windspire is 30 feet long and two feet wide and looks more Re a piece of yard art revolving in the breeze. This design is very quiet, corrosion resistant and loty maintenance as well. It can also be easily repainted to fit in with the color scheme of a home or office building. The conical and cylindrical wind turbines offer home and business owners an alternative to the traditional horizontal axis bladed turbines. This combination of art and functionality give homeowners choices in regard to both electrical generation and visual appeal. http: / /www. windturbinesnow. com/cylindrical- conical- wind - turbines.htm Page 1 of 3 Exhibit H Rooftop Wind Turbines Coming Home Home contaet Privac The Info Advantages / Disadvantages Airborne Wind "Turbines Cylindrical & Conical Wind Turbines Darrieus Wind'Curbiues Floating Wind'rurbines Helical Wind Turbine History of Wind Power Solar Wind Turbines Unconventional Wind Turbines Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Wind Conferences Wind Iurbme lleSign Wind Turbine Jobs Wiud'I'urbiue Lubrication Wind Turbine Manufacturers Wind Turbine Records Wind Turbine Tax Credits More Info Re -crew Rooftop Wind Turbines From San Francisco to New York City, rooftop wind turbines are hutting the home front. Rooftop wind turbines are being installed on both homes and businesses at an unprecedented rate due to several factors including the desire to save electricity, cut down owns dependency upon fossil fuels and as a visible symbol that one is doing their part to go green, Rooftop wind turbine critics say that they simply don't work or don't work as well as advertised. The critics are right in some instances and that is why the consumer needs to know what they are getting into and what to watch out for before investing in a rooftop wind turbine. Some of the factors that will influence the output of the rooftop wind turbine include the design itself (horizontal or vertical axis), the kilowatt rating of the generator, where the rooftop wind turbine is placed, the angle or pitch of the roof, how much wind the region provides and any obstructions that may block the wind. The design of the rooftop wind turbine is important for several reasons. Aesthetics is one of the larger reasons homeowners today would want to put a renewable energy generator atop their houses. Also, rooftop wind generators can be a status symbol that one is doing one's part to help the environment, create jobs for others and lower bills in these tough economic times. Some wind turbines make more noise than others. The biggest complaint about a series of rooftop wind turbines placed at the Logan International Airport in Boston has been from an office worker below that says they make too much noise. As I've stated in other sections of this website, celebrities like Jay Leno and Ed Begley, Jr, have decided to place rooftop wind turbines on their homes and garages. In both cases vertical axis maenetic wind turbines were chosen to fill the bill. Some homeowners state that vertical axis wind turbines in general are a little quieter than their horizontal axis counterparts. Rooftop wind turbines generally come with a kilowatt (kW) rating such as 5 kW, 10 kW or 20 kW that reflects how much electricity one can expect it to generate for one's home or business. It is important to either have a large enough rooftop wind generator or several that add up to enough in order to provide the needed power. Some rooftop wind turbines will work more favorably when on the edge of a rooftop, such as one that is long and flat (sort of like being on the edge of a cliff with an updraft). Others, however, on roofs with more angle or pitch will work more favorably in a higher location. Finding the right spot on the rooftop can add 5 to 40- percent more efficiency in electricity generation. One of the most obvious points is for home and business owners in rather windless areas to not buy rooftop wind turbines but rather opt for other alternative energy resources. Wind maps may http://www.windtarbinesnow.com/rooftop-wind-turbines.htm Page I of 3 Exhibit I Rooftop Wind Turbines Coming Home Vhn d Pi, Cry IiC()ito Page 2 of 3 http://www.vindturbinesnow.com/rooftop-wind-turbines.htm 3/26/2013 help some determine if there is enough regional wind to justify the purchase of building of a r rooftop wind turbine, Buying an inexpensive anemometer and tracking results is also helpful -� before making a decision. - A less obvious issue when deciding on putting up a rooftop wind generator may be any obstructions current or future that could block the full wind from getting to the generator. Trees, other buildings, hillsides or even large vehicles can deflect the wind away from the turbine. If LYR the rooftop is inside a city filled with buildings the wind path can become quite tricky as it may bounce from one structure to the next causing turbulence and an inconsistent flow. Near homes, neighbors' trees grow and leaf out, people may put up a second story or business may build structure in close proximity to homes which all may impact rooftop wind turbines. The important thing is to think about as may variables as possible when deciding if a rooftop wind turbine makes sense and the location that fits well. That said, marry people are now rolling back their electrical meters using residential wind turbines on their rooftops. Manufacturers of these turbines are busier than ever before. With a bi little forethought and planning, a rooftop wind turbine may make sense (and dollars) for homes and businesses across the nation. So, what are you waiting for? The time is now just like the name of this website indicates. Vhn d Pi, Cry IiC()ito Page 2 of 3 http://www.vindturbinesnow.com/rooftop-wind-turbines.htm 3/26/2013