Special standards for wind energy facilities.
§ 255-2090. Special standards for wind energy facilities.
A. Use of public roads.
(1) The applicant shall identify all state and local public roads to be used within the Town of Coventry to transport equipment and parts for construction, operation or maintenance of the wind energy facility.
(2) The Town Engineer, or a qualified third-party engineer reasonably acceptable to both the Zoning Board of Review and the applicant and paid for by the applicant pursuant to § 255-2040D of this article, shall document road conditions prior to construction. The Town Engineer or third-party engineer shall document road conditions again 30 days after construction is complete or as weather permits. Any road damage caused by the applicant or its contractors shall be promptly repaired at the applicant's expense.
B. Local emergency services.
(1) The applicant shall provide a copy of the project summary and site plan to the fire department(s) in the geographic area where the wind energy facility is located. The applicant, upon request, shall cooperate with emergency service providers to develop and coordinate implementation of an emergency response plan for the wind energy facility.
(2) A wind turbine shall be equipped with an appropriate fire suppression system to address fires within the nacelle portion of the turbine or shall otherwise address the issue of fire safety to the satisfaction of the Zoning Board of Review.
(3) The applicant shall submit an emergency plan for all contingencies (fire, medical emergency, and the like) that incorporates coordination and consultation with the fire department(s) in the geographic area where the wind energy facility is located.
(4) The applicant shall at its cost provide training, including the response to and handling of emergencies, for all contractors and construction crew(s) working on the construction of the wind energy facility. It is the applicant's responsibility to coordinate with the fire department(s) in geographic area where the wind energy facility is located to ensure adequate specialized emergency training is in place to deal with and respond effectively to wind energy facility emergencies and shall submit proof of the same to the Zoning Board of Review.
C. Proper marketability study required. The applicant shall provide a study addressing the marketability of non-participating landowner property values pre- and post-siting of the wind energy facility. The extent of the neighboring area to be included in the study shall be determined in the preapplication meeting in consultation with the Zoning Board of Review.
D. Notification area. The notification area shall be determined at the preapplication meeting and shall be based on the size and scope of the project. The notification area shall be determined at the preapplication meeting in consultation with the Zoning Board of Review, which shall consider the dimensions specific proposal; the zone within which the proposed siting is located; and the characteristics of the neighborhood within which the proposed siting is located; and, consideration of the general impact of the proposed siting on the neighborhood, but in no event shall the notification area for those abutters entitled to notice be less than 1,500 feet from the subject property line.
E. Taxation provision. To the extent authorized by law, the Town Council shall set a tax rate for the electricity generated by wind energy facilities located within the Town of Coventry, where permissible. Small-unit turbines shall be exempt from this requirement. Nothing in this article shall prohibit or limit the Town Council's right to enter into any host or pilot agreement with the owner and/or developer of the project.
F. Onsite inspections. Onsite inspection by a Rhode Island-licensed architect and/or engineer for as-built features shall be conducted on the developer's behalf.