11/16/1987 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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incorporated solar technology into their homes. Sun tempering can reduce a house1s overall heating requirements between 5 and 25 percent. Solar designs e can reduce natural gas heating needs between 10 and 50 percent and water heating costs by 40 to 60 percent. She said statistics of building plans submitted to the City's Building Division show 80 to 90 percent had no problem complying with the exisiting ordinance. She urged the council not to change the ordinance to satisfy the desires of "a few special interests." Rick Bliss, 1927 Van Buren, said he is a homeowner with a solarized, weatherized home. He said his home has been part of a three-year energy monitoring program sponsored by the State of Oregon. Mr. Bliss said the study has shown his electric energy use is lower than both the control and model homes being monitored. He said regular access to the sun is crucial for his system to work. He pointed out he has entered into an agreement with his neighbor to the north to ensure that neither household undertake remodeling that would shade both houses from the sun. Laurie Power, Governmental Affairs Coordinator for the Eugene Water Electric Board, addressed the results of an analysis done by EWEB to assess the energy impacts of the proposed amendments. She said the amendments, particularly the changes to the solar fence and the house hei ght guarantee, would cause "significant reduction" in solar energy benefit. The energy savings from solar uses benefit the entire community, she said. Solar access regulations allow for several benefits including avoiding a potential surcharge by the Bonneville Power Administration that would impact all EWEB customers. She said EWEB is opposed to the amendments because of the loss of energy that would have to be made up with other costs to the community. e Robert Thompson, 2108 Lincoln St., said he supports the existing ordinances. He said he is considering remodeling the southwest side of his home and installing a solarium. He said he woul d be di sturbed if hi s nei ghbor was permitted to install a roof or fence that would restrict his sun access. He urged the board not to adopt the amendments and said the ordinance can be changed at later date. John Bennett, 1679 Willamette St., said he is representing the Homebuilders Association of Lane County. The association's board of directors, despite their continuous opposition to the existing solar ordinance, do support the amendments as a compromise. Discussing the amendments, he pointed out a guaranteed building height of 26 feet is still shorter than the 30 feet minimum being considered by the City 0 f Portland. The change of slope adjustments from 3 to 6 percent would help in the administration of the calculations, he said. Mr. Bennett sa i d there is a need for exemptions including the proposal to maintain compatibil ity within existing subdivisions, a provision for handling pre-existing shade conditions, and administrative relief in code regulations for houses built near a cliff where the height restrictions are not relevant. He said a 10-foot fence restriction would not impact the heating potential of a significant number of houses. On the houses that are affected, the energy loss is minimal at $2 to $3 a month. He informed council members of a $250,000 solar energy study being sponsored by the Bonneville Power Administration that is tentatively working with a 12- foot fence minimum. He urged the council to undertake a revi ew of the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 16, 1987 Page 4