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Article 4: Use Standards
Section 4.3. Accessory Uses and Structures
4.3.5. Accessory Use-Specific Standards
June 23, 2017
Morrisville, NC
Page 4-48 Unified Development Ordinance
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.
f.
Lighting
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.
i.
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.
j.
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.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.