Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - April 2019

Article 4: Use Standards Section 4.3. Accessory Uses and Structures 4.3.5. Accessory Use-Specific Standards

55dBA sound level, however, may be exceeded during short-term events that occur beyond the property owner’s control, such as utility outages and/or severe wind storms. d. Appearance The wind turbine and tower shall be painted or finished in the color originally applied by the manufacturer, or a matte neutral color (e.g., gray, white) that blends into a range of sky colors, or a color consistent with that of the buildings on the site. Bright, luminescent, or neon colors, as determined by the Planning Director, are prohibited. e. Blade Clearance The blade tip or vane of any small wind energy system shall have a minimum ground clearance of 15 feet, as measured at the lowest point of the arc of the blades. No blades may extend over parking areas, public right of ways, driveways, or sidewalks. No illumination of the turbine or tower shall be allowed unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). g. Access to Tower On a freestanding tower, any climbing foot pegs or rungs below 12 feet shall be removed to prevent unauthorized climbing. For lattice or guyed towers, sheets of metal or wood or similar barriers shall be fastened to the bottom tower section such that it cannot readily be climbed. h. Signage Prohibited No wind generator, tower, building, or other structure associated with a small wind energy system shall include any signage visible from any public street other than the manufacturer’s or installer’s identification, appropriate warning signs, or owner identification. Utility Notification No small wind energy system intended to connect to the electric utility shall be installed until evidence has been submitted to the Town that the relevant electric utility company has been informed of the customer's intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator. Abandonment On determining that a wind turbine has been inoperable for six consecutive months, the Planning Director shall send the property owner a notice and order requiring restoration of the system to operating order within three months after receiving the notice. If the owner fails to restore the system to operating condition within the three-month time frame, the owner shall be required, at the owner’s expense, to remove the wind turbine from the tower for safety reasons. If the owner fails to remove the wind turbine from the tower, the Town may pursue legal action to have the wind turbine removed at the owner’s expense, in accordance with Article 10: Enforcement. i. j. f. Lighting

Solar Energy Collection System (as an accessory use)

a. Location The system may be located on the roof of a principal or accessory structure, on the side of such structures, on a pole, or on the ground in accordance with the standards in Section 4.3.3.B, Location of Accessory Uses and Structures.

April 23, 2019 Morrisville, NC Page 4-48 Unified Development Ordinance