Published: August 24, 2009 10:22 pm      

City officials to discuss wind energy system ordinance

CUMBERLAND — The mayor and council members will hold a public hearing today at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall concerning the proposed Zoning Text Amendment of the zoning ordinance to allow for wind energy systems within the city.

“In a nutshell, (the amendment) says that only small wind turbines will be allowed as an accessory use in most zones, subject to a public hearing and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals,” David Umling told the Times-News earlier this month.

Also at the meeting, the mayor and council will receive two reports from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The first report will be a recommendation of approval for the proposed zoning text amendment to establish parking requirements for trucks and unlicensed, unregistered motor vehicles.

“A question had arisen with regards to commercial vehicles in residential zones and whether or not somebody could actually put an empty trailer on a residential lot and use it for storage,” City Administrator Jeff Repp said. “Further investigation into this question found that the city’s Zoning Code didn’t really cover this particular event and staff decided we needed to tighten it up.”

The second report will cover the commission’s recommendation of approval for the comprehensive update of the city’s Subdivision Regulation Amendment to provide for a comprehensive update of current subdivision regulations in response to the 2004 Comprehensive Plan amendments, proposed Urban Tree Canopy Plan and new stormwater management regulations.

Repp said no real changes occurred after the public hearings held at the commission’s meetings.

Also on the agenda is the second and third readings for an ordinance establishing pay rates for fiscal 2010 and for the imposition of enhanced penalties for violations of the city’s camping ordinance.

Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting, with a limit of five minutes per person.