§ 3-5. Installation and design.

3-5.1.

Power Collection: The electrical connection system from the wind turbines to a collection point or substation shall, to the maximum extent possible, be placed underground. The power from that collection point or substation may use overhead transmission lines, if approved by the Planning Director or designee.

3-5.2.

Road Analysis: The applicant shall reimburse the NC DOT and/or County (as appropriate) for any and all repairs and reconstruction to roads that are necessary due to the construction or decommissioning of the Large System or Utility-scale Wind Energy Facility. A qualified independent third party or other qualified person, agreed to by the NC DOT and/or County (as appropriate) and the applicant, shall be hired to pre-inspect the roadways to be used during construction and/or decommissioning. This third party shall be hired to evaluate, document, and rate the roads condition prior to construction or decommissioning of the Large System or Utility-scale Wind Energy Facility, and again 30 days after the Wind Energy Facility is completed or removed.

A.

Any road damage during construction that is done by the applicant and/or one or more of its contractors or subcontractors that is identified by this third party shall be repaired or reconstructed to the satisfaction of the NC DOT and/or County (as appropriate) at the applicant's expense prior to the final inspection. In addition, the applicant shall pay for all costs related to work of this third party pre-inspection prior to receipt of the final inspection.

B.

The surety for removal of a decommissioned wind energy facility shall not be released until the Planning Director or designee is satisfied that any road damage that is identified by this third party during and after decommissioning that is done by the applicant and/or one or more of its contractors or subcontractors has been repaired or reconstructed to the satisfaction of the NC DOT and/or County (as appropriate) at the applicant's expense. In addition, the applicant shall pay for all costs related to work of this third party's inspection prior to receipt of the release of the surety.

3-5.3.

The Large System or Utility-scale Wind Energy Facility shall:

A.

Be a non-obtrusive color (such as light blue, off-white, or light gray) that blends with the sky, as determined by the Planning Director or designee.

B.

Not be artificially lighted, except to the extent required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other applicable authority that regulates air safety.

C.

Not contain any signs or other advertising (including flags, streamers or decorative items or any identification of the turbine manufacturer, facility owner and operator). This does not include any identification plaques that might be required by the electric utility or governmental agency.

D.

Be sited and operated so as to not interfere with television, internet service, telephone (including cellular and digital), microwave, satellite (dish), navigational, or radio reception in neighboring areas. The applicant and/or operator of the facility shall be responsible for the full cost of any remediation necessary to provide equivalent alternate service or correct any problems; including relocation or removal of the facility caused or exacerbated by the operation of such equipment and any and all related transmission lines, transformers, and other components related thereto.

E.

Have a leak containment system for oil, hydraulic fluids, and other non-solids that is certified by an expert (such as an engineer, turbine manufacturer, etc.) acceptable to the Planning Director or designee that all such fluids will be captured before they reach the ground. The applicant shall pay the cost of the expert.

(Ord. of 11-18-13)