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Updated January 2025 – Gem Lake Consolidated Land Use Ordinance No. 131 128 data and calculations to demonstrate compliance with the structural design provisions of the state building code. Drawings and engineering calculations shall be certified by a Minnesota licensed engineer. 2. Compliance with National Electrical Code. WECS electrical equipment and connections shall be designed and installed in adherence to the National Electrical Code as adopted by the city. 5. Standards for Siting, Installation and Operation of WECS. 1. Height. The height of a WECS must comply with FAA regulation part 77 "Objects Affecting Navigable Air Space" and/or MNDOT Rule 14, MCAR 1.3015 "Criteria for Determining Obstruction to Air Navigation". 2. Setback. WECS towers shall be setback from the closest property line at least one foot for every one foot of the system’s total extended height. No part of a WECS (including guy wire anchors) shall be located within or above any required front, side or rear yard setback. 3. Rotor clearance. At installation, the bottom of the WECS blade diameter shall have a minimum of 5 feet of clearance over any structure (including above-ground utilities) or tree within a 200-foot radius of the WECS tower. The property owner is responsible for ensuring that trees and other vegetation do not encroach on the minimum rotor clearance after the system is installed. 4. Rotor safety. Each WECS shall be equipped with control equipment to prevent dangerous operation in high wind and to allow the turbine to be slowed or stopped in an emergency. 5. Tower access. To prevent unauthorized climbing, WECS towers must comply with one of the following provisions: 1. Tower climbing apparatus shall not be located within 12 feet of the ground. 2. A locked anti-climb device shall be installed on the tower. 3. Towers capable of being climbed shall be enclosed by a locked, protective fence at least six feet high. 6. Component certification. Each electrical component of the WECS must be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. The overall WECS system must either be certified or pending certification by the Small Wind Certification Council as compliant with the American Wind Energy Association’s Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard. 7. Lightning protection. Each WECS shall be grounded to protect against natural lightning strikes in conformance with the National Electrical Code as adopted by the city. 8. Signs. Each WECS shall have one sign, not to exceed two square feet, posted at the base of the tower and said sign shall contain the following information. 1. High voltage warning, if a component of the WECS is “high voltage” under the National Electrical Code; 2. Manufacturer’s Name; 3. Emergency Phone Number; 4. Emergency Shutdown Procedures. No other signage is permitted on the tower or turbine components of the WECS. A manufacturer’s name or logo printed on a component is not considered “signage” for the purpose of this Ordinance. 9. Lighting. WECS shall not be illuminated from the ground, or have affixed or attached any lights, reflectors, flasher or any other illumination, except for those required by FAA regulations part 77 "Objects Affecting Navigable Air Space" and FAA Advisory circular 70/7460-1F, September 1978 "Obstruction Marking and Lighting". 10. Noise Emission. Noises emanating from the operation of WECS shall be in compliance with and regulated by the State of Minnesota Pollution Control Standards, Minnesota Regulations NPC 1 and 2, as amended.