Wind turbines OK'd for homes

Now can be installed anywhere in St. Mary's

Friday, Dec. 19, 2008

The change does not allow for wind farms, however.

Under the zoning amendment, one wind turbine will be permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts for use by homes, farms or small businesses with a building permit and site plan approval.

Even in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, areas within 1,000 feet of tidal water, wind turbines are OK without a variance. Wind turbines would be most effective to produce enough electricity to power a home on the waterfront anyway, where there is a better chance of a constant breeze.

The maximum height of a wind turbine system is 85 feet on a lot less than an acre and up to 150 feet on larger lots.

The tower needs to be set back from property lines at a distance at least equal to its height so in case it collapses, it falls on the owner's property and not a neighbor's.

The zoning change to allow the wind turbines came at the urging of Richard Johnson, who lives on the water in Valley Lee.

He spent $26,000 for a refurbished 20-kilowatt wind turbine system; a new system costs about $55,000, he said.

"I spend $5,000 a year on utility costs and this year is the same. Once it is installed and certified by SMECO, I will get grant money from the Maryland Energy Association which this July went up from $3,000 to $10,000 max," Johnson said.

The grant funds are based on how many kilowatts are produced, so Johnson should qualify for $10,000.

With another $10,000 to install the system, Johnson said he expects to get a return on his investment within five to six years or sooner if energy costs increase.

The zoning amendment went through two public hearings with the county commissioners, two public hearings with the planning commission, plus a work session, said Yvonne Chaillet, zoning administrator with the county's department of land use and growth management.

jbabcock@somdnews.com