There are four types of WECS:

1. (a) WECS micro (see section 2.6(1)(x) for additional information);
2. (b) WECS small;
3. (c) WECS large single; and
4. (d) WECS large multiple.

The following criteria shall apply:

1. (a) The rotor clearance shall be a minimum of 8.0 m from grade.
2. (b) A freestanding WECS shall be setback no less than two times the total height from the nearest lot line.
3. (c) A freestanding WECS shall be setback from any building located on the same lot by no less than two times the total height, or as determined by the development officer.
4. (d) The minimum separation distance from a road to a freestanding WECS from shall be two times the total height.
5. (e) The maximum decibel A-weighting (dBA) from outside any receptor building at any wind speed shall not exceed 35 dBA.

WECS facilities should avoid locating in or adjacent to environmentally sensitive lands. If a WECS facility is proposed within or adjacent to environmentally sensitive lands, the County shall require an environmental assessment or geotechnical report or both be completed.

To protect bird flyways, an environmental assessment shall be required for a WECS facility proposed to be higher than 61.0 m.

The development officer may increase the required setback where, in their opinion the proposed setbacks are not sufficient to reduce the impact of a WECS facility upon a public roadway.

To ensure public safety, the development officer may require the following:

1. (a) a security fence not less than 1.8 m in height with a lockable gate shall surround a WECS tower where the WECS tower is climbable or subject to vandalism that could threaten WECS tower integrity;
2. (b) no ladder or permanent WECS tower access shall be located less than 3.6 m from grade and a locked device shall be installed on the WECS tower to restrict access to the top of the WECS tower; and
3. (c) all of the above be provided or such additional safety mechanisms or procedures as the development officer considers reasonable and appropriate.

Section 6.18(6) shall not apply to a WECS with tubular tower construction, and a locked door access.

As a condition of approval, the development officer may require security in the form of cash or an irrevocable letter of credit to ensure the reclamation or decommissioning plan is implemented.

All power lines on the site from a WECS facility to the substation or grid shall be underground.

A WECS shall be finished in a non-reflective matte and in a colour which minimizes the obtrusive impact of a WECS to the satisfaction of the development officer.

No lettering or advertising shall appear on the towers or blades. On other parts of the WECS, the only lettering will be the manufacturer’s identification or the County’s municipal symbol.

The development officer may reduce the setback from a lot line in accordance with section 2.8 and based on the following:

1. (a) topography, where strict adherence to the setback requirement would result in greater visibility of the system than a reduced setback; and
2. (b) the system’s WECS tower is set back a minimum distance equal to the height of the structure or WECS tower from any structure on adjoining parcels.

WECS small

Despite the maximum height requirement of a zone, the maximum height of a WECS small shall be 20.0 m.

The following additional criteria shall apply:

1. (a) the minimum separation distance for a WECS small from any dwelling is one and half times the WECS total height; and
2. (b) WECS guy wire anchors (if required) may extend no closer than 3.0 m to a lot line and all WECS guy wires must be marked and clearly visible to a height of 2.0 m above the WECS guy wire anchors.

WECS large single and WECS large multiple

Despite the maximum height requirement of a zone, the maximum height of a WECS large shall be 120 m.

Where a listed use, a WECS large is subject to the following criteria:

1. (a) the minimum site shall be 32 ha;
2. (b) total height shall not exceed 120 m;
3. (c) the separation distance from the nearest dwelling shall be two times the total height of the WECS; and
4. (d) the separation distance for the WECS and all associated structures from a watercourse shall be 30.0 m.

In addition to the application requirements in section 2.7, an application for a WECS large single and WECS large multiple facility shall also include:

1. (a) a site plan indicating all buildings on the subject parcel and adjacent parcels and distances from the WECS tower location, at grade to these buildings, as well as distances from lot lines and all overhead utilities on or adjacent to the subject parcel;
2. (b) scaled elevations or photos showing total height, WECS tower height, WECS rotor diameter, colour and lighting;
3. (c) manufacturer’s specifications, including:
   1. (i) WECS name plate capacity in kilowatts;
   2. (ii) Canadian Safety Association approval; and
   3. (iii) type of material used in WECS tower, WECS blade and WECS nacelle construction.
4. (d) for systems with a rated capacity of 1.0 MW or greater, documentation regarding the status of the application to the Alberta Utilities Commission;
5. (e) description of fencing, locking or other public security measures in accordance with section 6.18(6);
6. (f) a decommissioning and reclamation plan;
7. (g) sound analysis, indicating sound levels less than or equal to 35.0 dBA at all receptor buildings and at all potential wind speeds;
8. (h) identification of any future phases or developments planned;
9. (i) copies of all documentation required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; and
10. (j) an application for WECS large multiple shall also include an emergency response plan for site safety.