Planning commission opens hearing on small wind turbines; staff continues review after questions

The St. Mary—s County Planning Commission opened a public hearing on proposed zoning text amendments to add "small wind energy systems" as a permitted accessory use and to establish size, siting and safety standards. Staff described the draft rules and asked the commission to leave the hearing open for additional public input and technical review.

Staff explained that the proposed new use (use type 118) would allow single-tower small wind energy conversion systems sized at 100 kilowatts or less for on-site consumption. The draft accessory standards staff presented would limit installations to parcels of at least one-half acre, require compliance with the State Building Code and National Electrical Code, mandate setbacks equal to tower height, cap height at 80 feet for parcels between one-half and one acre and up to 150 feet on parcels of one acre or more, and require a minimum 15-foot blade-tip clearance over ground.

County staff cited the Maryland Energy Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Wind Energy Association for background on system sizing and net metering; staff also noted Maryland net-metering rules and FAA lighting requirements where applicable. Staff recommended accessory standards be added to chapters 50, 51 and 98 of the zoning ordinance and asked the commission to accept the draft language as a starting point.

Commissioners and members of the public raised questions about likely wind speeds in St. Mary—s County (staff and public attendees noted coastal shoreline areas offer the best potential), noise standards, the potential conflict with the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds, how "site" is defined (staff indicated the intent was a single residential site), and whether homeowners association covenants could override the new rules.

Public speakers included property owners and an engineer who said historical marine uses and local conditions require careful review. Several commissioners asked staff to obtain additional technical information (including localized wind data, examples from other Maryland counties and critical-area commission guidance on structures in the 200-foot no-touch buffer) before proceeding.

The commission voted to continue the hearing and requested staff return with additional information at the next scheduled meeting; the hearing was continued to October 23.