The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Dec 18, 2007 on proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance that will allow wind energy systems in town.

The draft amendments stem from a Town Council directive to the Planning Board to review the current ordinances as they pertain to alternative energy, including wind, solar, and other sources.

Based on their review, wind was the source the Planning Board is recommending the town pursue.

"The Planning Board has drafted proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance that would allow installation of one windmill for residential or other use," according to a memo from the Planning Board to the Town Council.

Solar panels, according to a memo to the council from the Planning Board, are already permitted by the zoning ordinance and no amendments are required.

The board is also not recommending amendments to accommodate tidal power or outdoor wood boilers.

"Tidal power technologies are still being tested," the Nov. 27 memo says. Tidal power may require some structures that are not permitted under shoreland zoning, but they would depend on the technology selected. "It would be difficult to anticipate that need at this time, therefore no amendments to Shoreland Zoning are recommended," the memo says.

Neither is the board recommending changes to accommodate outdoor wood boilers, because the state has adopted emission standards governing their use.

"The general conclusion of the Planning Board is that wind energy should be pursued in Cape Elizabeth," the memo says.

In addition, the board is supporting the idea that the Town undertake a windmill project of its own, and is suggesting the transfer station as the best location.

The board will present its final recommendation to the council by the end of the year.

The draft amendments include a definition of a wind energy system, and standards for systems in each of the town's residential and business zoning districts.

The draft defines a small wind energy system as:

A structure or structures that may include a wind turbine, a tower, footings, electrical infrastructure, and associated equipment and structures intended to produce electrical power primarily for on-site consumption, or consumption on an adjacent lot when more than one lot is held in common ownership, and that has a rated capacity of not more than 20 kilowatts.

Wind towers, under the amendment, would need a minimum lot area of 20,000 square feet, would be restricted in height to 100 feet to the center of the turbine, and have a minimum setback of 50 percent of the distance from the ground to the center of the turbine.