General standards.
§ 255-2060. General standards.
A. Fall zone. The minimum fall zone shall be 200% of the height of the tower, plus one rotor length, or the manufacturer's recommendation, whichever is greater. The minimum fall zone and safety setback shall be contained within the applicant's property and/or property under control of applicant which is dedicated to the exclusive use of a fall zone by easement or other property interest which said property interest has a duration of least 20 years after the installation of the turbine. Easements and other instruments evidencing property interests are subject to the approval of the Town Solicitor.
B. Noise and sound level. Noise levels shall not exceed a five dB increase over the ambient levels at the applicant's property boundary lines. The ambient sound shall be determined with preapplication acoustical testing of said sound levels at the property boundary lines, said testing to account for day and evening levels. If additional turbines are proposed on the same property in the future, the previously installed turbine noise levels shall not be included to raise the background and ambient noise levels for the new turbine evaluation. Said testing shall be at the applicant's expense pursuant to § 255-2040D of this article.
C. Shadow flicker. During the time of shadow flicker, the wind energy facility shall be shut down so as to eliminate any shadow flicker issues. The presence of shadow flicker effect shall be measured at the property boundary lines and at locations within 2,500 feet of the wind energy facility. Wind energy facilities shall be sited in a manner that minimizes shadowing or flicker impacts. The applicant has the burden of proving that this effect will not have significant adverse impact on neighboring or adjacent uses.
D. Overspeed controls, brakes, ice detection. All wind turbines shall be equipped with an overspeed control system, braking mechanism, and ice detection sensors (or heated blades, as the case may be). These systems shall be of the latest proven technology available.
E. Wildlife, bird migratory patterns to remain unaffected. The wind energy facility shall not have an unreasonable adverse effect on birds, migratory patterns, rare, threatened, or endangered wildlife, significant wildlife habitat, rare, threatened, or endangered plants and rare and exemplary plant communities. In making its determination under this subsection, the Zoning Board of Review shall consider pertinent application materials and the written comments and/or recommendations, if any, of the Coventry Conservation Commission of Land Trust.
F. Electrical components and interconnections. All electrical components of the wind energy facility shall conform to relevant and applicable local, state, and national codes, laws and regulations.
G. Access. All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment and all access doors to a wind turbine shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access. A wind tower shall not be climbable up to a minimum of 15 feet above the ground surface.
H. Co-location of external cellular and wireless equipment prohibited. To the extent that wind energy facility shall co-locate cellular or wireless communication equipment, said equipment shall be enclosed within the tower and not mounted externally. The applications for such uses shall be submitted as two separate and independent projects.
I. Incorporation of latest technology in testing parameters and studies. The applicant shall incorporate the latest technology, testing parameters, and best management practices, including preapplication testing, that meet or exceed accepted industry standards into all studies and technical submissions provided in the application process to the Zoning Board of Review.