Administration.
§ 255-2040. Administration.
A. Review and approval authority. The Zoning Board of Review is authorized to review all applications for wind energy facilities and may approve, deny, or approve such applications with conditions in accordance with this article.
B. Permit required. No wind energy facility shall be constructed, located, nor an existing wind energy facility be modified, within the Town of Coventry, without a permit issued in accordance with this article, nor shall any wind turbine be permitted where a historic structure is located in the proposed fall zone.
C. Permit applications; fees.
(1) A wind energy facility permit application shall consist of the application form, application fee, and supporting documents, as described below. The municipality shall provide the application form which shall be signed by: 1) a person with right, title and interest in the subject property; and 2) the builder/developer of the wind energy facility. The signatures shall be dated and the signatory shall certify that the information in the application is complete and correct and that the proposed facility will be constructed and operated in accordance with the standards of this article and all approval and permit conditions, if any.
(2) The application fee shall be $500, which represents the cost reviewing the application by the Zoning Official and the cost of advertising of the application. All application fees shall be assessed and paid upon submission of the application.
(3) The application shall include all additional documents necessary to satisfy the applicable submission requirements under § 255-2050 of this article.
(4) The applicant shall submit its application for a wind energy facility permit to the Zoning Official who shall note on the application the date on which it was received. The applicant shall promptly notify the Zoning Official and the Zoning Board of Review of any changes the applicant proposes to make to information contained in the application. All changes shall require proper notification, including a renewed public hearing.
(5) Within 10 days after receiving an application, the applicant shall be notified of a preapplication meeting, involving the Zoning Official, the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Review or his/her designee, and the Town Solicitor. The purpose of the preapplication meeting is to explain the article's provisions, application forms, and submission requirements. The preapplication meeting shall be had within 20 days of the receipt of an application, unless the applicant requests a preapplication meeting with the Zoning Board of Review. The applicant may request the preapplication meeting be held at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Zoning Board of Review, provided that the applicant submits the request in the regular manner proscribed for Zoning Board of Review agenda postings, prior to the meeting. At the preapplication meeting, the applicant shall provide photos of the proposed site and written descriptions of the proposed facility and the proposed site, including its location and lot area.
(6) Within 30 days after receipt of the application by the Zoning Official, the Zoning Board of Review shall notify the applicant in writing either that the application is complete or, if the application is incomplete, the specific additional material needed to complete the application.
D. Professional services. In reviewing the application for compliance with this article, the Zoning Board of Review and/or the Planning Commission may retain professional services, including but not limited to those of an attorney or consultant, to verify information presented by the applicant. The attorney or consultant shall first estimate the reasonable cost of such review and the applicant shall deposit with the municipality the full estimated cost which the municipality shall place in an escrow account and reimburse the applicant if funds remain after payment.
E. Expiration of permits. Permits issued under this article shall expire within one year after the date of approval unless a substantial start on construction has occurred.
F. Access. The Zoning Official, or his/her designee, shall have access to the site at all times to review the progress of the work and shall have the authority to review all records and documents directly related to the design, construction and operation of the facility.