Aesthetic, safety and environmental standards

A. All wind energy system operators shall maintain a current liability insurance policy, subject to annual certification, which will cover all liabilities associated with installation and ongoing operation of the facility through decommissioning. The special use permit approval for such system shall be conditioned upon continuation of said policy.
B. All approved wind turbines, and other wind-facility-related equipment, shall, to the extent possible, be constructed of neutral, nonreflective exterior colors designed to blend with the surrounding environment.
C. Wind turbines shall not be sited in areas that will result in the turbine dominating the view of a scenic, natural, or historic resource of the Town from any prominent public vantage point. The Zoning Board may require perspective drawings, digital renderings, photographic simulations, constructed models and/or any other graphic depictions it deems useful in determining viewshed impacts.
D. Signage at approved wind facilities shall be limited to those necessary to identify the owner, provide emergency contact information, and warn of any possible dangers.
E. Utility connections from the wind facility shall be located underground unless soil conditions or site topography prevent it. The requirement for underground utilities can only be waived by the Zoning Board of Review if sufficient expert testimony is presented to its satisfaction that such connection is not viable.
F. Noise levels resulting from operation of a wind turbine shall not raise area noise levels more than five dB(a) above ambient existing conditions and in no case shall noise levels from wind turbines exceed the maximums established by the Town Code at Chapter 152, Noise. Noise levels are measured at the lot lines of the turbine site, consistent with the provisions for assessing noise effects as found in aforementioned Chapter 152, Noise. The applicant may be required to produce documentation from a qualified acoustics professional demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Zoning Board of Review that the proposed installation complies with the purpose and intent of this requirement.
G. The Zoning Board in issuing a special use permit may also consider potential impacts on communications, including local emergency responder telecommunications, other military or civilian radio use or telecommunications and/or interference with other transmissions, including television. The Zoning Board may require local expert testimony to this effect or other written testimony from qualified personnel.
H. Clearing of natural vegetation shall be limited to that which is necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the wind facility and as otherwise prescribed by applicable state and local laws, regulations and ordinances.
I. Wind facilities shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).