Wind Generator Ordinance Information

The Board of Supervisors are considering a Wind Energy Ordinance to control the erection of Wind Turbine Generators. At the present time, any property owner can put up as many wind generators on his property as he wants and on any part of his property, as long as they don't exceed 35 feet. If the property owner wants to have one higher than 35 ft. he can go before the Zoning Hearing Board and with their approval, go as high as they want or have more than one wind generator. In the near future you will see other municipalities adopt ordinances that govern wind generators. Some of the proposed requirements of this ordinance are:

• Minimum lot size two (2) acres.
  
• Located no less than 100 ft. from side or rear yard, no less than 300 100 feet from a street line. In no case shall a device be located in the frontyard of a residence.
  
• Must be at least 100 ft. from overhead utility lines.
  
• Must maintain a minimum fall zone setback of 1.1 times the height.
  
• One device on a single parcel, or multiple parcels in same ownership.
  
• Shall not exceed 10 KW output.
  
• Maximum height of structure, including all moving and rotating parts, shall be 65 72 Feet.
  
• Shall comply with nuisance standards of Article V of the Zoning Ordinance.
  
• Design information must be certified by a licensed professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and/or equipment manufacturer.
  
• The Township Building Code Official will verify that the design of the device complies with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

You can view the proposed draft Ordinance HERE. The revisions noted above have not been written into the draft Ordinance yet. The proposed Ordinance will be sent back to the Haycock Township and Bucks County Planning Commissions at their next respective meetings.