Published: September 20, 2009 10:54 pm      

Amendments to Frostburg wind energy systems ordinance approved

Public hearing scheduled for October

FROSTBURG — Amendments to Frostburg’s wind energy systems ordinance will reduce the maximum height of a residential wind turbine from 165 to 75 feet and limit the number of wind energy systems to one per each lot of record.

The mayor and council approved the amendments Thursday night. A public hearing on the amended ordinance is scheduled during the regular City Council meeting Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Frostburg Community Center.

The ordinance also prohibits installing wind energy systems on existing buildings or structures. The city’s Historic District Commission will be included in making decisions involving wind energy systems under the same authority it has for all other structures in the district.

City officials decided not to set maximum power-generating ratings for wind energy devices because future technological changes may reduce the size of turbines while increasing the electrical generation.

The mayor and council also adopted a water resources element and municipal growth element to the city’s comprehensive plan to comply with state law.

No public comments were received during the monthly meeting, according to City Administrator John Kirby.