HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2003 1217 CC REG ITEM 10IITEM �o • ._.
Of
ACTION' �
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Barry K. Hogan, Community Development Directo
Prepared By: Scott Wolfe, Principal Planner
DATE: December 9, 2003 (CC Meeting of 12/17/03)
SUBJECT: Consider the Referral to the Planning Commission of
Design Guidelines for Photovoltaic and Other Solar
Energy Systems on New Construction and Existing
Facilities within the City
BACKGROUND
On June 18, 2003, the City Council considered a report by
Community Development staff pertaining to the feasibility of
requiring photovoltaic generation systems to be installed
consistently on all new residences. Staff had studied the issue
and determined that while the photovoltaic technology shows
promise, it has not yet progressed to the point that uniform
placement of such systems would be cost effective.
As part of the recommendation to the City Council, staff also
suggested that the matter be further studied to determine what
measures would be appropriate in those instances where the use
of photovoltaic or other solar systems is feasible. Of
particular concern was the establishment of guidelines
pertaining to the placement of such systems, as they could cause
an adverse visual impact. The City Council concurred and
referred the matter back to staff for further study.
Since this time, staff has reviewed pertinent pre - empting laws
and the practices of other Cities. The City's ability to
regulate these uses is limited by the California Solar Rights
Act to those actions which do not affect either the cost of
implementing the system, or the efficiency of the system, by
S: \Community Development \DEV PMTS \Z O A \2003 \Photovoltaic Guidelines \agenda report.doc
000299
Honorable City Council
December 17, 2003
Page 2
more than 200. In recognition of this, staff has proposed the
guidelines shown in Attachment 1 of this report. These
guidelines will allow staff to regulate the placement of these
systems to the greatest extent allowable under the law, while
ensuring that the ability to place and utilize these systems is
not hindered.
STAFF RECOI- MNDATION
Refer the attached draft guidelines to the Planning Commission
for review and subsequent recommendation to the City Council.
Attachment:
Draft Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems
000300
Draft Design Guidelines - Solar Energy Systems
For Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Uses
1. Proposals for the placement of solar energy systems shall
be accompanied by an assessment of alternative locations on
the subject property, along with justification for the
selection of the preferred alternative. Placement of the
equipment shall occur on the location least visible from
the public rights -of -way and neighboring properties.
Exceptions shall be granted in instances where installation
in a non - preferred location will result in cost reductions
of at least 200 or increases in power generation of at
least 25% when compared to the City preferred location.
The applicant shall have the burden of proof to show that
an alternative location will meet these requirements.
2. Solar energy system equipment shall be placed in locations
which are the least visible from public streets, public
facilities, and neighboring properties. Avoiding visibility
from public rights of way shall be the highest priority,
followed by avoiding visibility from neighboring
properties. Placement on the roof plane facing away from a
street is the preferred location.
3. Placement of equipment on flat roof elements is acceptable,
so long as the equipment or its support structures are not
visible from public streets, public facilities, or
neighboring properties. The equipment shall be screened
with an architecturally compatible structure.
4. Equipment and required structural supports shall be placed
as close to the roof plane as possible while still
maintaining safe and effective operational conditions.
Flush mounting is required on pitched roofs, unless flush
mounting would constitute a significant impact on cost or
efficiency, as defined by the California Solar Rights Act.
Equipment and support structures shall not extend beyond
the existing roof area, or above the top of the wall, of
the building upon which they are mounted.
5. Equipment frames, support structures, and related rooftop
equipment shall be painted to match, as closely as
possible, the predominant color of the roof. The color
shall be subject to the approval of the Community
Development Director.
CC ATTACHMENT
000301
6. All electrical wiring shall be enclosed in conduit, and all
exterior conduit and exterior plumbing on buildings shall
be painted to match, as closely as possible, the surface
across which they run. Ground mounted plumbing and conduit
shall be buried underground.
7. All solar energy system equipment shall be considered
accessory structures and shall meet applicable setback and
height limitations.
8. Solar energy system equipment, including hot water storage
tanks, shall not occupy required parking spaces.
9. Non - functional solar energy systems shall be repaired or
removed within 3 months of becoming non - functional.
10. Review and approval of solar energy system installation to
existing buildings shall be accomplished through non -
discretionary process (i.e. Zoning Clearance), unless
significant alterations to the subject building are
required. In these instances, a Permit Adjustment, Planned
Development Permit, or other discretionary process as
determined by the Community Development Director shall be
the appropriate mechanism for review and approval.
CC ATTACHMENT
000302