HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.B 05/16/2005CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 10, 2005
TO: City Council
FROM: Mike Bierman, City Manager
SUBJECT: Solar Policy
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May 16, 2005
As requested by City Council, I have placed an item on the May 16, 2005 agenda to discuss a
Solar Policy. In the past, the Council has dealt with this issue on a selective basis by applying a
condition of approval to residential development proposals. For the Traditions, Washington
Creek Village and Baker Ranch subdivisions, the Council added the following condition of
approval:
Prior to final submittal to the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee, the
development plans shall be modified to include a minimum of 10% of the units
with photovoltaic electric generating systems. The PUD Guidelines shall be
revised to indicate which units will be built with these systems. The revised PUD
Guidelines shall be reviewed and approved by the City's Community
Development Department and the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee.
The Council also discussed the possibility of requiring all new residential units to be designed to
allow for the installation of solar energy systems as an option of purchase, however, this
condition was never applied to any specific development project.
At this juncture I would offer the following options for your consideration and direction:
1. Formalize the language contained in the above referenced condition of approval and
direct staff to apply it to all new major residential development proposals and/or;
2. Reconsider requiring that all new residential units be designed and constructed to
accommodate solar energy systems and that such systems be offered as an option when
these units are sold.
3. Direct staff to formulate new policy language that requires the installation of solar energy
systems on all new residential dwelling units.