County's Planning Commission
To Consider Enlargement Of
Residential Wind Energy Systems
Posted: February 26, 2025
Newberry Springs Community Alliance
by Ted Stimpfel
The Upshot
The San Bernardino County's Planning Commission
will decide on March 6, 2025, whether to approve a Development Code
Amendment to increase the allowable kilowattage from 10 kW to 25 kW
for residential accessory wind energy systems.
Currently, the total output allowed is 10 kW for most
rural parcels. The commission may approve an increase of 2.5 times, to
25kW.
Of interesting note, per county ordinance, the current
maximum height of 80 feet in rural areas will not be changed for the
structures.
In looking briefly on the Internet
(https://www.pvmars.com/product/25kva-25kw-wind-turbine),
the proposed new maximum size of a single 25kW wind energy system
has a blade diameter of 9.5 meters (31.16 feet). That's equivalent
to a 3 story spinning circle.
A 30-foot diameter blade will probably
require a minimum pedestal or mask of over 50 feet and be of a
substantial visual structure to handle the weight, torque, and
high wind dynamics.
The current regulations for most rural parcels
allow up to five 2kW wind energy systems, according to county
planner, Maryn Wells, who I spoke with on February 26, 2025.
This photo was supplied by the applicant to the
county to give a comparison of a 25kW installation. The older and
newer models are side by side. The newer model is on the left of the
photo, and the older model is on the right. The size of the older
unit was not given.
Unless you want your neighbors to have a few of
these adjacent to your home, it is suggested that you write an immediate
letter of opposition. Don't expect others to write it for you.
Should the new proposal of a maximum of 25kW be
adopted, up to twelve 2 kW wind energy systems, 80 feet high,
would be reportedly allowed on a single parcel !
Should a blade fail, we could have deadly projectiles
flying onto neighboring properties.
We have small wind-powered generators in Newberry
Springs that are reported to produce noise. One small unit near
Newberry and Riverside Roads produce, what I would describe as,
a very soft whomping sound. A larger unit, probably a 10kW and
80 feet high is midway south on Newberry Road.
Fortunately, most people go solar rather than
wind, however, more wind-generated power may be on Newberry's
horizon with eyesore violations of our desert views; and,
devaluation of properties.
This proposal in upscaling is being promoted
by a single special interest that has been selling wind-generated
power systems in the county for many years. As the units have
become more efficient and larger, the seller feels
restricted by the existing county ordinance.
As this technology negatively violates the
senses of many residents, installation of these industrial-sized
power units should require a Conditional Use Permit.
Anyone opposed should immediately send an e-mail
of opposition titled PROJ-2024-00063 PC Hearing: March 3, 2025,
to the county planner, Maryn Wells, Senior Planner, at
Maryn.Wells@lus.sbcounty.gov.
Please include your name and address.
Even though copies of your letter might be included
in each planning commissioner's binder, my experience is that they
don't look at the letters. They only ask the county staff for the
number of opposition letters.
Consequently, I would highly suggest that you
CC: your letter to Supervisor Dawn Rowe at
Supervisor.Rowe@bos.sbcounty.gov
and Supervisor Paul Cook at
Paul.Cook@bos.sbcounty.gov
🌵
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