HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Res 2004-09-15
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RESOLUTION NO. 47-2004
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF TIBURON
ADOPTING THE TOWN OF TIBURON
POLICY FOR SOLAR COLLECTOR PANELS
WHEREAS, as part of the update of the Town's General Plan, the Town
has indicated its intent to adopt a policy encouraging "green building";
WHEREAS, the Town of Tiburon supports energy efficiency and seeks to
provide incentives for property owners who wish to utilize solar power to reduce
the demand on non-renewable energy sources; and
WHEREAS, the Town ofTiburon, while encouraging the use of solar
energy, seeks to maintain the aesthetic qualities of the built environment which
make Tiburon unique.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council hereby
adopts a Policy for Solar Collector Panels set forth in attached Exhibit A, which
waives building permit fees, provides design guidelines for the installation of
solar collector panels, and defines the design review procedure for solar panels.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the
Town of Tiburon on September 15, 2004, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: C6UNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Berger, Fredericks, Gram, Slavitz, Smith
None
None
ALICE FREDERICKS, MAYOR
TOWN OF TIBURON
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DIANE CRANE IACOPI, TOWN CLERK
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TOWN OF TIBURON
POLICY FOR SOLAR COLLECTOR PANELS
(Town Council Resolution 47-2004, adopted September 15, 2004)
PURPOSE
The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure the Town can, consistent with the
state Solar Rights Act of 19781, encourage the use of solar collector panels
while protecting and maintaining the valued aesthetic qualities which make
Tiburon unique.
BACKGROUND
As energy costs continue to rise, more property owners are looking to
implement alternatives to reduce energy costs and energy consumption. Solar
collector panels are a popular energy alternative, particular in sunny climates
such as those found in California.
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PERMIT FEES WAIVED FOR SOLAR COLLECTOR PANELS
Because the Town values the benefits of reduced energy consumption that
would result from the increased use of solar collector panels, the Town
Council has waived the building permit fees2 associated with installation of
solar panels.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Solar collector panels are passive in nature and absorb sunlight without the
need for moving parts. However, installation of solar panels can change the
appearance of the property or structure upon which they are installed. The
Town of Tiburon takes pride in the quality of its built environment,
implemented through strong design review policies and procedures.
General
1. Solar panels and accessory equipment should be integrated into the design of
the building wherever possible.
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1 The Solar Rights Act of 1978 prohibits local governments from imposing ordinances that unreasonably
restrict or prevent the use of solar energy systems. Ordinances which impose reasonable restrictions on
solar energy systems are allowed. Reasonable restrictions are those which do not significantly increase
cost or decrease efficiency, Significantly means an amount exceeding 20 percent of the cost of the system
or decreasing the efficiency of the system by an amount exceeding 20 percent.
2 Building permit fees shall not include the Business License Fee and the California Seismic Tax, both of
which will be collected.
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2. To the maximum extent feasible, solar panels and accessory equipment
should be placed on roofs and in locations that are the least visible from
public streets, public facilities, and neighboring properties.
Roof-Mounted
3. Roof-mounted solar collector panels should match the roof pitch, and be
placed flush with the surface of the roof.
4. All roof-mounted solar collectors, frames, water tanks, supports, and
plumbing should be adequately screened, and painted a color similar to the
color of the roof upon which they are mounted. H covered frames are used
as screening, they should contain a finish similar to the building's exterior
walls.
Ground-Mounted
5, To the maximum extent feasible, ground-mounted solar collectors should be
screened from off-site view through careful placement, and/ or the use of
landscaping, fencing or walls.
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PROCEDURE
A. Ground-mounted solar collector panels shall be reviewed by the Design
Review Board.
B. Roof-mounted solar collector panels may be reviewed by the Community
Development Director or his/her designee, unless the Community
Development Director or his/her designee determines that the potential
visual impact warrants review by the Design Review Board.
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