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Commission asks staff to draft conditional‑use language after homeowner seeks to install decorative 'flower' wind turbines
Summary
A homeowner and an installer presented a plan to mount four small, custom‑painted "flower" wind turbines above a detached garage. Commissioners asked staff to draft conditional‑use zoning language for alternative energy in residential districts so such installations can be reviewed case by case.
A homeowner asked Findlay planning commissioners to consider a backyard installation of four small, decorative "flower" wind turbines, and the commission voted to have administration draft conditional‑use zoning language for alternative energy in residential districts.
Terry Nielsen, general manager of Superior Energy Solutions, told the commission the household wants four vertical, flower‑shaped turbines—about 4 feet tall each, mounted on a steel support above a detached garage—that would supplement the home’s existing solar array and battery storage. "They're not even the traditional, wind turbines that you'll see where it's on a tower," Nielsen said, adding the devices include electronic speed‑limiting braking and generate roughly the equivalent of three to four solar panels at maximum output.
Homeowner Jennifer Caldwell described the project as a memorial art piece painted by a local muralist and emphasized low sound levels: she cited company comparisons that peak noise is around 32 decibels—roughly a quiet refrigerator. "They're really lovely and they're really quiet too," Caldwell said.
Commissioners raised practical questions about mounting, lightning grounding and line‑of‑sight impacts. Nielsen said the units would be grounded and wired into the home's solar system; the company showed concept buffer plans and said they would preserve existing trees where possible.
Planner noted that residential wind turbines had previously been removed as a permitted use in residential districts and that Findlay does not allow use variances; staff and outside counsel recommended reintroducing small alternative‑energy installations as a conditional use—similar to ground‑mounted solar—so each application can be reviewed for safety and aesthetics.
A commissioner moved that administration draft zoning code verbiage to allow "alternative energy" as a conditional use in residential districts with size and setback parameters; the motion was seconded and approved. Staff and regional planning will prepare draft language and return with options at next month’s meeting.
The commission also asked staff to consider battery siting and freestanding battery regulations as part of the update and to coordinate with the fire department on safety standards.
