Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 11/11/2009MINUTES
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
November 11, 2009
PRESENT:
Ripley Tate, Chairman
♦ Members
Kevin Callahan
Jeremy Dorzab
John Kidwell
L. O. Nelson
Deborah Morrow
R. C. Taylor
♦ Alternate #2
John Stephenson
Miles Risley, City Attorney
♦ Legal Depart.
David A. Clark, Director of Community Development
♦ city staff
Marty Odom, Planner II
Leo Bethge, Planner II
Diane Parker
ABSENT:
Larry Ash
Jeff Cooper ♦ Alternate #1
Warren Gardner
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tate at 2:00 p.m.
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one from the audience wished to address the Commission.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Ash made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2009 meeting. Mr. Taylor
seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with a unanimous vote.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
CARPORTS:
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P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 11, 2009
1. Case C 09-41
Carport in the front setback
1808 Adrian
Mr. Rodney Townsend requested a conditional use permit to construct a carport within the front
setback of his residence. There are no (0) properties with carports within a 200 foot perimeter
of this property that have carports in the setbacks. Eighteen (18) surrounding property owners
were notified of this request. One (1) responded in favor and none (0) were opposed.
Mr. Nelson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda; Mr. Kidwell seconded. The motion
carried.
V. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Case C 09 -42
Approval for a wind generator to locate on top of a building in the Central
Business District
812 Ninth Street (aka AT&T Office Building)
Mr. Kevin Delcarson with Broadstar Wind Systems requested a conditional use permit to locate
a wind generator on top of the roof of the AT &T Building on Ninth Street.
In April 2009, the City Council passed an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow wind
generators provided they are approved by the P &Z Commission through the conditional use
process.
This proposal seeks to use an existing frame that was built for a microwave tower. The wind
generator will replace the tower which will be removed. The height of the new structure from
the top of the roof to the high reach of the structure will be 27 feet.
This frame does not meet the setback requirement of 27 feet from the adjacent property line;
therefore, a variance will be required. The applicant will appear at the November 18th meeting
of the Board of Adjustments. Staff is recommending approval.
Fourteen (14) surrounding property owners were notified of this request. Seven (7) responded
in favor and none (0) were opposed.
Mr. Art Buhl, Vice President of Broadstar, stated he was very excited about the Wichita Falls
project. This unit will be 14' x 16' and produce 12 kW per hour. The base will remain and be
used to attach the turbine. The setback is the main issue because the unit needs to be close to
the edge of the building to catch the updrafts which will create 70% more power.
Mr. Odom noted that this is not a monopole structure. It appears to be a more stable unit.
Mr. Taylor asked about the usage; Mr. Buhl said one generator could power two to three
homes. It would be too heavy to sit on top of a house. They have had several units running in
Reno, NV. Mr. Buhl stated the local electric company performs an inspection of the equipment.
These are safe, reliable and bird - friendly units. Wichita Falls will be one of the first cities in the
country to have it in the downtown area.
Mr. Buhl stated that a yaw system would eventually be installed on this system to turn the unit in
the direction of the wind. There are six deployed now, 50 in the next three months, and 500 by
the end of next year.
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 3 NOVEMBER 11, 2009
Mr. Buhl responded to questioning by stating the unit is very quiet; from the street, combined
with the ambient noise, the unit can hardly be heard. The financial model works best with a
state that has incentives in addition to tax incentives for renewable energy. With a combination
of these incentives and in a good wind area, the payoff could be five (5) years. The warranty is
five years and built for 20 years of life.
Mr. Larry Drennan, Regional Director of AT &T Texas, stated the initiative AT &T has taken is to
reduce the carbon footprint. Wind generators will be purchased for all of our Austin facilities. In
the next ten years, the fleet of vehicles used will consist of 15,000 natural gas and alternative
energy vehicles. This will be the first AT &T building to use this type of wind generator. Mr.
Taylor stated this was a great example for going green.
Mr. Nelson made a motion to approve this request; Mr. Taylor seconded. The motion carried.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
1. City Council Update
Mr. Clark stated the proposed changes to the RDD were approved by City Council in
November.
Mr. Clark stated work is continuing on the North Kemp project and will soon be ready for
presentation.
VII. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
Ripley-'rate, ph ' an
ATTEST:
David A. Clark Director of Community Development
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