What started as an innovative idea and a desire to reduce energy costs has turned into a debate that could ultimately make it easier for homeowners to go green.

Castle Rock residents Mike Spencer and Erica Shehan came up with a concept that would create a miniature wind farm right in their own backyard. Frequent winds make their home in The Meadows a viable spot to erect an energy-generating turbine. After conducting a little bit of research, the eco-conscious couple set out to pioneer a new world of residential wind harvesting.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to try something new,” Spencer said. “We could save money and use all of this free energy, maybe start a trend so other people could take advantage.”

Roughly $2,500 worth of parts and hours of assembly later, the 20-foot-tall turbine worked like a charm. Then came a phone call from a town building official: the wind turbine did not have the proper permits and would need to come down immediately. If they did not comply, the police would be knocking on their door the following day.

Spencer and Shehan were shocked, especially considering the positive response and encouragement they originally received from the town staff with whom they discussed their idea.

It turned out that in order to place the turbine in an area that would make best use of the wind, it would cost $1,500 for a use-by-special-review permitting process. The review is required by The Meadows planned development documents approved by the town when the neighborhood was in its early stages. Most homeowners associations have similar restrictions in place.

A use by special review considers arguments from individual homeowners and the sentiment of neighbors when deciding whether to stray from an established policy on a case-by-case basis. But even if the plans are reviewed, there is no guarantee that they will be approved.

“My biggest gripe is the city is prolonging my investment on this and requiring others to pay these permit costs,” Spencer said. “At this rate, it would take another three or four years for me to break even.”

There is no differentiation in the fee structure for the cost of the review, meaning the $1,500 flat fee applies to both homeowners and commercial applicants. In addition, Spencer and Shehan would need to request a variance – at a cost of another $1,000 – to place the turbine in an area where wires would protrude over a required setback.

Castle Rock has rules and regulations in place for individuals to install solar panels, but has not approved any procedures that allow homeowners to collect and use other types of alternative energies, including wind.

“We knew it was going to come. We just didn’t know when,” said Heather Day, the town’s planning manager. “We weren’t surprised someone was interested in something like this given the hype for alternative energy and the rebate programs out there.”

It all comes down to timing. Castle Rock’s planning commission is already in the process of updating guidelines for its sustainability plan to make it easier – and more cost-effective – for individuals to harvest their own alternative energies, Day said. Plans are already in place to solicit public feedback this fall to gauge the sentiment of residents on possible changes to town codes. Castle Rock officials recognized there are regulations in place that make it difficult for residents to engage in such practices, Day said, however, safety considerations and the need for public support must come first.

“If Mike had come in later on, we might have been more set up and restrictions would be out of the way, but it depends on what the community response is,” she said, adding Spencer can also appeal to his HOA’s board of directors for a change.

Spencer said he has received widespread support from his neighbors, and even some inquiries on how they might install a wind turbine if it proves worthwhile. He plans to eventually expand his system’s capabilities to capture solar energy in addition to wind.

Because it is a first-time request, Castle Rock is willing to work with Spencer to mitigate the high costs and roadblocks that are preventing him from using the turbine, Day said, adding the variance cost can be eliminated if he puts the tower in a different place in the backyard. Structural and electrical permits for the turbine must be in place before electricity providers give rebates.