BACKGROUND
On March 1, 2017, the Mayor and City Commission referred a discussion to the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) regarding incentivizing solar panel installations in the City by waiving permit fees. This item was sponsored by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
On April 19, 2017, the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) discussed incentives for renewable forms of energy, such as solar panels. Under certain circumstances, some renewable energy projects may be required to go to the Design Review Board and Historic Preservation Board, and there are fees associated with these land use board review processes. The SRC recommended that an ordinance amendment, to further incentivize the installation of solar panels and renewable forms of energy, by waiving the fees relating to any required land use board review, be referred to the next available Land Use and Development Committee meeting. Since this proposal would amend the fee schedule (Appendix A) of the Land Development Regulations, Planning Board review of the draft ordinance would also be required.
On May 17, 2017, at the request of Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, the City Commission referred the subject ordinance to the Land Use and Development Committee and Planning Board for consideration and recommendation (Item C4 J). On June 14, 2017, the Land Use and Development Committee discussed the item and recommended that it be approved.
PLANNING ANALYSIS
The rise of solar power over the past decade has been largely driven by cities. In these densely-populated areas, solar power is helping to clean the air and reduce pollutant emissions; strengthen electric grids; offer consumers security against volatile energy costs; and, improve the environment and resident quality of life. Several cities have set strong goals for solar energy adoption, implementing programs and policies that promote the rapid expansion of solar energy, expanding access to all residents, installing solar energy systems on government buildings, and urging state and federal officials and investor-owned utilities to facilitate the growth of solar energy.
In leading cities, officials are setting ambitious goals for solar energy adoption, putting solar panels on city buildings, and working with utilities to upgrade the electric grid and offer electricity customers incentives to invest in solar energy systems. In these cities, permitting departments are taking steps to reduce fees and permit processing times for solar installation applications as well. In 2010, San Francisco (CA) committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2020 and became the first major city in the nation to require that photovoltaic or solar thermal solar systems be installed during the construction of new homes and businesses.
As part of the Building Permit process, projects undergo zoning review. The Zoning section of the Planning Department reviews all license applications and building plans, as part of the Building Permit process, to ensure compliance with the Land Development Regulations (LDRs). Under certain circumstances, projects may be required to undergo review by a Land Use Board, such as the Design Review Board or Historic Preservation Board review, prior to applying for a building permit. Additionally, variances of the LDRs may on occasion be requested. A fee of $2,500 is charged for an application for public hearing for projects that must undergo a Land Use Board approval. A fee of $500 is charged for each variance requested.
The proposed ordinance would waive the fee for application for public hearing on existing buildings that require a public hearing only for the purpose of installing solar roofs or other renewable energy systems. The fee for each variance requested would also be waived for existing and new projects seeking a variance related to the installation of solar roofs or other renewable energy systems. Payment of fees for notice, advertisement, and other procedural requirements would still be charged as part of this process.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW
On June 27, 2017, the Planning Board transmitted the proposed Ordinance Amendment to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation.
UPDATE
The subject ordinance was approved at First Reading on July 26, 2017, with no changes.