Kendall Co. Plan Consortium Minutes 2010 07-29-10
United City of Yorkville
800 Game Farm Road
Yorkville, Illinois 60560
Telephone: 630-553-4500
Fax: 630-553-7575
KENDALL COUNTY PLANNING CONSORTIUM
MS
EETING UMMARY
Thursday, July 29, 2010
7:00 P.M.
Village of Minooka
121 E. McEvilly Road
Minooka, IL 60447
Wind Turbine Energy Generators within the Community
Speakers:
7:05 PM – 7:07 PM
Anne Lucietto welcomed all guests to the Village of Minooka. Tonight’s Kendall County
Planning Consortium topic is on wind turbine energy generators. She introduced guest
speakers: Mike Hoffman, Vice President with Teska Associates, Inc. in Plainfield and
Mark Sullivan, President of Sullivan Energy Group in Montgomery. Ms. Lucietto also
noted that Planning Consortium sessions are always open to the public.
7:07 PM – 7:30 PM
Mr. Mike Hoffman – Vice President, Teska Associates, Inc.
Mr. Hoffman is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a
Registered Landscape Architect (RLA). He currently serves as the Vice President and
Principal for Teska Associates, Inc., a private firm specializing in community planning,
landscape architecture, site design and development economics.
Mr. Hoffman began his PowerPoint presentation entitled “Sustainable Zoning Issues –
The Kendall County Approach” by listing interesting facts regarding renewable energy as
follows:
Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standards require Illinois Utilities to supply 25% of
their power from renewable energy resources by 2025 (75% of which must be
from wind).
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Illinois Ranks 6 in the nation in the amount of wind energy capacity – with more
under construction.
Wind Farms generated $18 million in property taxes last year in Illinois.
He discussed that technology regarding renewable energy resources, such as wind farms,
is evolving and adapting to new uses with new applications.
Mr. Hoffman explained the history of how Kendall County adopted its wind regulations
which included an original amendment to the County’s zoning regulations in 2006 to
provide for commercial wind farms as a Special Use and individual wind energy systems
as a Conditional Use in agricultural areas. He went on to explain that in 2009/2010 the
County then amended the zoning regulations again to respond to recent State legislation.
It was also amended to address solar energy, to allow in other districts outside of
agricultural areas, and to adapt to changing technologies and gain from the experiences of
other communities which had also adopted policies regulating wind energy.
Some key definitions were defined in Mr. Hoffman’s presentation, such as:
Commercial Wind Farm: A single wind driven machine or a collection of wind
driven machines or turbines that convert-wind energy into electrical power for the
primary purpose of sale, resale or offsite use.
Small Wind Energy System: A wind energy conversion system consisting of a
wind turbine, a tower, and associated control or conversion electronics, which has
a rated capacity of not more than 100 kW and which is intended to primarily
reduce on-site consumption of utility power.
There was discussion about the location guidelines and performance standards required
for Commercial Wind Farms, as well as new requirements added with the 2010 update
about removal of defective or abandoned wind systems, fees and decommissioning plans.
With regards to Small Wind Energy System, Mr. Hoffman spoke on the regulations
which address: height, setbacks/clear zones, noise, tower security, lighting, signage and
visual effects and safety. Mr. Hoffman also discussed the construction/use permit
application process for wind energy systems and the cost savings/tax credits available.
In conclusion, Mr. Hoffman noted newer technology being regulated by the County’s is
solar panels which can be roof-mounted in any zoning district or freestanding. He
provided information on funding resources in Illinois via the Solar and Wind Energy
Rebate Program and various informational websites.
Mr. Hoffman concluded his presentation and answered questions from the audience.
7:30 PM – 8:15 PM
Mr. Mark Sullivan – President, Sullivan Energy Group
Mr. Sullivan is the President of Sullivan Energy Group, an exclusive Northern Illinois
distributor for “Urban Green Energy” vertical axis wind turbines. He explained that UGE
turbines are an innovative green technology that is a cost effective, sustainable, and
attractive way to power your home, business, school, church, park district, golf course, or
amusement park.
Mr. Sullivan’s presentation focused primarily on planning and implementation of wind
turbines for local energy generators. He explained the main focus of his work consists of
locating these systems in communities that have no or limited zoning ordinance
regulations regarding wind energy systems. In his presentation, he discussed nuisances
that communities look to regulate when permitting wind energy systems such as:
Noise Impacts
Aesthetics
Height
Blade/Support Failure
There is also the concern of weather on these systems including safety concerns in high
wind situations, inclement weather impact on the system itself and the affects of low
wind power. Mr. Sullivan walked the audience through the installation process his
company uses for wind turbine systems, from hiring the right contractor to net-metering
and the anticipated lifespan of the system.
Mr. Sullivan stated there are financial benefits to wind turbine energy systems such as
grants, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits and financing.
However, there are costs that should be considered such as installation, liability and
insurance; as well as operation, maintenance and removal costs.
In closing, Mr. Sullivan showed the audience images and video of installed and
operational wind energy generators by UGE. He also answered questions from the
audience at the end of his presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
A copy of Mr. Hoffman’s and Mr. Sullivan’s PowerPoint presentations are available on
the United City of Yorkville’s website www.yorkville.il.us.