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Planning commission recommends allowing small rooftop wind turbines in Bernal Heights
Summary
The commission recommended a Planning Code amendment to let vertical-axis roof turbines in the Bernal Heights Special Use District under the same 10-foot exemption that applies elsewhere in the city; staff and supporters emphasized design limits and neighborhood review to minimize visual and wildlife impacts.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of an amendment to Planning Code section 242 to allow small roof-mounted vertical-axis wind turbines in the Bernal Heights Special Use District. Planning staff explained the amendment would remove a stricter local height restriction and allow turbines to exceed mapped height limits by up to 10 feet, consistent with other districts, provided the turbines meet a 3-foot-diameter limit (staff recommended 36 inches) and are vertical-axis to reduce impacts to flying animals.
Public commenters included neighborhood advocates in favor of expanding small-scale renewables and residents concerned about the cumulative visual effect if many rooftop turbines appeared without citywide design guidance. Staff said design guidelines would be prepared and applied and that neighborhood Design Review Boards could weigh in via guideline processes. Commissioners debated payback, the potential for technological change, and whether specialized design guidance should come forward citywide; several commissioners said they supported the Bernal amendment as a pilot that matches citywide allowances. The commission’s vote to recommend the amendment to the Board of Supervisors was unanimous.
