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CITY OF GEM LAKE, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA <br />ORDINANCE NO. 121 <br />AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 43K TO PERMIT THE <br />CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS <br />(WECS) WITHIN THE CITY OF GEM LAKE <br />THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEM LAKE ORDAINS: <br />The text of this Ordinance shall be appended as a new Section to Ordinance 43K. <br />1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to establish standards and procedures by which the <br />installation and operation of residential wind energy conversion systems (WECS) shall be <br />governed within the city. <br />2. Definitions. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the following words, terms and phrases have <br />the meanings given to them in this Section: <br />Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS): An electrical generating facility consisting of <br />a turbine, tower, and associated control and conversion electronics. <br />Residential WECS: A WECS with a rated generating capacity of 40 kilowatts (kW) or <br />less which is intended primarily for producing electrical power used on -site. <br />Total Extended Height: The highest point reached above natural grade by the tallest part <br />of the WECS (e.g. the tip of the turbine blade at its highest point of travel). <br />Blade Diameter: The diameter of the circle created by the tips of the turbine blades when <br />the system is in operation. <br />3. Zoning Allowance. A Residential WECS may be installed as an accessory use in all zoning <br />districts, provided that the system complies with all terms and conditions of this Ordinance. <br />4. License Required. A Residential WECS with a blade diameter under 6 feet and installed so <br />that the total extended height does not exceed 10 feet over the tallest structure on a property shall <br />not require a City license. For all other WECS, a license must be obtained from the City of Gem <br />Lake prior to installation of the system. The City Council shall designate a member of City staff <br />as the officer responsible for accepting and reviewing applications for Residential WECS <br />licenses. The City Council shall establish fees by separate resolution for review of an initial <br />application and for renewal applications. <br />4-1. Initial Application. Any person wishing to install a Residential WECS requiring a <br />license shall complete an application on a form provided by the City, pay the required <br />