HomeMy WebLinkAbout24354 - RESOLUTIONS - 1/3/2018 RESOLUTION NO. 24354
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS ESTABLISHING A POLICY FOR THE
PROVISION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS AS
PART OF DISCRETIONARY APPROVALS FOR NEW
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
A. The City of Palm Springs General Plan, adopted by the City Council in
October 2007, establishes goals to encourage the use of alternative energy sources,
incorporate energy efficiency in building design, and to make the maximum use of solar
electric capabilities.
B. The Sustainability Plan, adopted by the City Council in June 2016, establishes
goals to increase the provision of energy from renewable sources and to require solar-
generated power for new residential buildings.
C. The City Council and the Sustainability Commission held a joint meeting on
June 23, 2016, and at that meeting, the City Council directed the Sustainability
Commission to initiate research into the costs, incentives, threshold requirements, and
impacts of mandatory solar requirements.
D. On December 21, 2016, the Sustainability Commission recommended approval
of a draft solar ordinance to the City Council, requiring the provision of solar
photovoltaic systems for new and remodeled residential units.
E. On April 26, 2017, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a draft
solar ordinance to the City Council.
F. On October 4, 2017, a public hearing on the proposed solar ordinance was held
by the City Council in accordance with applicable law, -and at that meeting, after
consideration of the staff report and all testimony presented in conjunction with the item,
the City Council referred the ordinance to subcommittee for further review.
G. On October 12, 2017, the Solar Installation Ordinance Ad Hoc Subcommittee of
the City Council met and concluded that a policy for the installation of solar photovoltaic
systems would provide flexibility in meeting the goals of the General Plan and the
Sustainability Plan, while being mindful of efforts of the State of California to require
solar systems for residential construction in the near future.
H. On January 3, 2018, the City Council conducted a public meeting on the issue of
a solar policy, at which meeting the Council considered the staff report, supporting
documentation, and all testimony offered on the subject.
Resolution No. 24354
Page 2
I. The City Council finds that a solar policy will assist in the implementation of the
following goals of the City of Palm Springs General Plan:
Goal RC8.2: Support and encourage the use of alternative energy sources in
the construction of new buildings.
Goal RC8.3: Encourage and support the incorporation of energy efficiency and
conservation practices in subdivision design and building design.
Goal RC8.13: Make the maximum use of solar electric capabilities.
J. The City Council finds that the solar policy will help achieve the following goals of
the Sustainability Plan:
• Reduce energy use and carbon use from new homes and buildings.
• Supply 50% of all energy from renewable sources by 2030.
• Develop strategies to reduce community-wide contributions to greenhouse
gas emissions to 1990 levels.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the findings and determinations reflected above are true and
correct, and are incorporated by this reference herein as the cause and foundation for
the action taken by and through this Resolution.
SECTION 2. The policy regarding the requirement for solar photovoltaic panels
as part of discretionary approvals for residential development, as contained in Exhibit
A, is hereby approved and shall by implemented by staff, the Planning Commission,-and
the City Council in the review of discretionary applications for new residential
development.
ADOPTED THIS 3rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2018.
David H. Ready, Esq., P . .
City Manager
A LT:
thong M ia, M
City Clerk
Resolution No. 24354
Page 3
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 24354 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on Td day of January, 2018, by
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Holstege, Kors, Middleton, Mayor Pro Tern Roberts, and
Mayor Moon
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official
seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this --i* day of U„ r
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City Council Policy Statement
Adopted January 3, 2018
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
In order to achieve the City's goals for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction
pursuant to the City of Palm Springs General Plan and the adopted Sustainability Plan,
solar photovoltaic systems may be required as part of the discretionary review process
for new residential development in accordance with the provisions listed below.
1. The Planning Commission and/or the City Council may require the provision of
solar photovoltaic systems for new single-family and multifamily residential construction
as a condition of approval of any of the following discretionary application types:
a. Architectural Review application (Major only);
b. Conditional Use Permit application;
C. Development Agreement application;
d. Planned Development District application or a major amendment thereto;
e. Specific Plan application or amendment; or
f. Variance application.
2. The wattage of the required solar photovoltaic system shall generally be
equivalent to two (2) watts times the total square footage of the residential dwelling unit.
The Planning Commission and/or the City Council may reduce the required wattage or
eliminate the requirement for the solar photovoltaic system altogether due to site
conditions, environmental factors, or to meet housing affordability goals.
3. This policy shall not be applicable to the following:
a. Low-income residential housing, as defined in Section 2852(a)(3) of the
California Public Utilities Code if the cost of installation of the system is not fully
funded without recourse to the residents;
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