§ 122-603. Definitions.

Certain words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in article II shall be given the meanings set forth in article II. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Adjacent occupied structure means a residence, school, hospital, church, public library, business or other buildings used for public gathering, excluding accessory structures, that is located on an adjoining property when the permit application is submitted.

Applicant means the person or entity filing an application under this article.

Decibel means the unit of measure used to express the magnitude of sound pressure and sound intensity.

Height means the height of a wind energy conversion system measured from natural grade to the tip of the rotor blade or assembly at its highest point or blade-tip height.

Mechanical shadow means the entire envelope that is occupied by the circle swept by the furthest extension of any blade or other exposed moving component of a wind energy conversion system.

Non-participating landowner means any landowner not under agreement with the system owner or operator, such as the adjacent property owner.

Participating landowner means a landowner under lease or other property agreements with the system owner or operator pertaining to the wind energy conversion system.

Pedestal means a maximum 12-foot tall structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one wind turbine.

Roof-mounted means any part of a wind energy conversion system that is located on the roof of a building, fire or parapet walls; stage lofts, chimneys, smokestacks, water tower, or roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans, or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building.

Shadow flicker means the visible flicker effect when rotating turbine blades cast shadows on the ground and nearby structures causing the repeating pattern of light and shadow.

System operator means the entity responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the wind energy conversion system.

System owner means the entity or entities having controlling or majority equity interest in the wind energy conversion system, including their respective successors and assigns.

Tower means any structure, including its supports, that are ground-mounted, taller than 12 feet, and designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more wind turbines. This includes self-supporting lattice towers, guyed lattice towers, or monopole towers.

Wind energy conversion system means an electric generating system, consisting of one or more wind turbines and other accessory structures and buildings, including substations, meteorological towers, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures and facilities. Such systems are designed for large-scale energy generation, typically for electrical utilities, or to supplement other electricity sources as an accessory use for residential, commercial, waterfront, office, and industrial buildings or facilities, wherein the power generated is used primarily for onsite consumption

Wind turbine means a wind energy conversion system that converts wind energy into electricity through the use of a wind turbine generator, and may include a nacelle, rotor, tower, blades, guy wires and pad transformer.

(Ord. No. 2009-4, 5-4-09)