Currituck commissioners Tuesday night will consider a new ordinance that could pave the way for the installation of electricity-generating wind turbines throughout the county.

Commissioners are being asked to consider two proposals that would allow residents and business owners the ability to generate their own electricity.

File photo (ENLARGE)

Currituck commissioners will consider an ordinance Tuesday night to allow electricity-generating wind turbines in the county similar to this one erected last month by Blackwater Worldwide on its property in neighboring Camden County.

One, recommended by county staffers and the Currituck Planning Commission, requires the applicant to receive a special-use permit to install a wind turbine. Under the proposal, wind turbines would be subject to setback, design and height restrictions.

The other proposal, put forward by East Coast Windpower, a company that wants to install wind turbines, would allow turbines in all zoning districts without a special use permit, but restrict their height to 60 feet.

Currituck's strong coastal winds are quickly turning the county into a magnet for companies hoping to sell electricity-generating wind turbines. Several companies have expressed interest in selling turbines in Currituck, including one headquartered in Spain and another from Maryland.

County staff's latest proposal limits the height of turbines according to lot size. Turbines on 20,000-square foot lots could be no taller than 120 feet. Turbines on five-acre lots could be no taller than 250 feet. And turbines on 25-acre lots could be no taller than 500 feet.

The county's proposed ordinance also includes setback requirements. A 180-foot setback would be required between an occupied building and a 120-foot all turbine. A 500-foot setback would be required between an occupied building and a 250-foot tall turbine. And a 700-foot setback would be required between an occupied building and a 500-foot tall turbine.

The county's ordinance gives property owners the right to seek a waiver from the setback requirement. But all nearby property owners that would be affected by the wind turbine would have to agree to the waiver.

Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on wind turbines at 6:30 p.m. The regular commissioner meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.