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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2004 0453 0120RESOLUTION NO. PC- 2004 -453 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS WHEREAS, the City Council has identified the use of solar energy systems as an effective and desirable means of producing energy which is plentiful, non - polluting, and does not deplete the natural resources as many other energy sources do; and WHEREAS, the negative visual impacts associated with the use of these systems can be significant, particularly when viewed from neighboring properties or public rights -of -way; and WHEREAS, the California Solar Rights Act limits the ability of the City to restrict the use or placement of solar energy systems to the degree that the costs would increase by more than twenty percent (200), or that the efficiency would be degraded by more than twenty percent (200); and WHEREAS, draft Design Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems have been prepared in recognition of the desire of the City to both promote the use of solar energy and minimize the visual impacts of solar energy systems consistent with the limitations established by the California Solar Rights Act; and WHEREAS, the Design Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems are exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission of the City of Moorpark recommends to the City Council the adoption of the Design Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems, attached hereto as Exhibit A. SECTION 2. CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION: The Community Development Director shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions. S: \Community Development \ADMIN \COMMISSION \Final Reso \pc 453 Solar Energy Systems design guidelines .doc Resolution No. PC- 2004 -453 Page 2 The action of the foregoing direction was approved by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners DiCecco, Landis, Peskay, Vice Chair Lauletta and Chair Pozza NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: PASSED, AND ADOPTED this 20th day of January, 2004. ATTEST: B=n)t*y Hog C De pment Director Exhibit A - Design Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems Resolution No. PC- 2004 -453 Page 3 EXHIBIT A DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS 1. These Guidelines shall apply to the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems for all uses in all zones Citywide. Solar energy systems, as referenced herein, shall refer to any system, or component equipment of such system, associated with the collection of sunlight, its conversion to usable energy (whether electricity or heat), and the transmission and storage of that energy to the building or facility the equipment serves. 2. Applicants proposing the placement of solar energy systems shall provide plans showing the requested location and configuration of the system, as well as any possible alternative locations and configurations which may better meet the intent of these guidelines. Should the applicant propose a location or configuration other than the location or configuration that best meets the intent of these guidelines, the applicant shall have the burden of proof to provide calculations which demonstrate that the location or configuration which best meets the intent of the guidelines will result in either an increase in system cost in excess of twenty percent (200), or a decrease in system efficiency in excess of twenty percent (200) when compared to the location or configuration proposed by the applicant. if one of these can be demonstrated, then the system can be approved in an alternative location or configuration that best meets the intent of these guidelines without a twenty percent (200) increase in cost or twenty percent (200) decrease in efficiency. 3. 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. 4. 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 Resolution No. PC- 2004 -453 Page 4 neighboring properties. The equipment shall be screened with an architecturally compatible structure. S. 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 or existing roof peak of the building upon which they are mounted. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. Ail solar energy system equipment shall be considered accessory structures and shall meet applicable setback and height limitations. 9. Solar energy systems may be designed in such a manner as to become architectural features of the building design. Although use of such a design would not meet these requirements relative to screening from public view, such design may be approved, at the discretion of the Community Development Director. 10. Solar energy system equipment, including hot water storage tanks, shall not occupy required parking spaces. 11. Non - functional solar energy systems shall be repaired or removed within 3 months of becoming non - functional. 12. Review and approval of solar energy system installation to existing buildings shall be accomplished through non - discretionary process (i.e. Zoning Clearance), unless Resolution No. PC- 2004 -453 Page 5 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.