by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- The city may allow solar panels, but wind turbines failed to gain any momentum for approval by Council.
Community Development Director Tom King March 10 proposed removing impediments from the Land Development Code in order to promote alternative energy such as solar panels and wind turbines.
King said a few residents have asked about solar panels and wind turbines, and he wanted guidelines from Council.
Wind turbines are restricted by the city's height limit of 16 feet for accessory structures, but there is no legislation regarding solar panels, King said.
The city would review requests for solar panels on a case-by-case basis, determining whether their appearance and placement were appropriate.
King said the city will propose a code change in a few months that would allow solar panels that are low and resemble the roof color.
The city would have to approve requests, but they would not be subject to review by the city's architectural and historic board of review, he added.
The city will not propose any legislation for wind turbines yet, according to King, but will look at what other communities do and consider changes in the future.
Although most Council members said they supported solar panels as long as they were on the backs of roofs, most Council members were against allowing wind turbines, which could be taller than 100 feet, in Hudson. In comparison, the city's downtown water tower is 150 feet tall.
The city code would require a 150-foot setback from all property lines and structures for a wind turbine's 100-foot tower, King said. That would require a minimum of 2.75 acres.
"The towers are not going in all yards," King said. "That relieved my concerns, and I thought it was worthwhile to look at."
Council member Douglas Hasbrouck, who owns 125 acres, said if he put a tower on his property, others would say, "What the heck are you doing?"
Hasbrouck said wind turbines are not economically practical in the area and have no place in Hudson.
Council member Kristina Roegner said Council should not be so quick to say no.
"In Europe they have tons of windmills," Roegner said. "I would like to investigate it further."
Council President David Basil said solar panels should be available to residents. However, he objected to wind turbines.
Basil said he would like the city's planning commission to consider the changes to the land development code and have the public "weigh in" on the proposal.
The planning commission would make a recommendation to Council.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150