04/13/1981 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e -- e This ordinance was developed as a recommendation from the council's Energy Board. Other components of the program are carpooling, compact urban growth, weatherization, cogeneration, and solar access. These will be presented to the council in three phases. Phase One would require solar access factors to be considered in the design where feasible and practical in new PUDs and new land divisions such as subdivisions and minor partitions. Council will consider the second phase in early to mid-summer which will be to protect solar access in developments that already exist in the City, either through a setback or an easement approach or a combination of both. The third phase will be a compre- hensive manual which is being written by the EWEB Energy Conservation Center in conjunction with City staff to provide the public with information on how solar access can be attained, protected, and used. None of the ordinances being developed would require installation of either passive or active systems. They only provide for and protect solar access if one wants to use solar. This ordinance represents the findings of five public hearings before the Planning Commission, notices to 220 individuals, agencies, neighborhood groups, and interested groups. It was advertised widely. The public testimony was in the council's packet along with chronology of events, the planning commission minutes and staff notes, and the early drafts. Mr. Chenkin reviewed the char- acteristics of the final draft. The first characteristic is that solar access factors must be considered in both the land division and planned unit development approval process. The second characteristic is that solar access must be considered in the preparation of the design process. The third characteristic is that the ordinance defines the term II so 1 ar access .,11 Although so 1 ar access may not always be incorporated in a design, the applicant will need to demonstrate why solar access is not feasible. The Planning Commission has recommended adoption of this ordinance and recommends that it be monitored for 18 months with a review to be at the end of that time period. Mr. Chenkin explained the solar access checklist which is ready at this time, and described the manual which is being developed with the aid of the Home- builders' Association and the Eugene chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. Chenkin recommended that the emergency clause on the ordinance be deleted so that the community would have 30 days for the ordinance to become effective. He introduced Adrienne Lannom, chair of the Planning Commission, and Bob Lorenzen from EWEB. Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor: John Kaufman, Oregon Department of Energy, Solar Specialist, supported the council's efforts and the proposed amendments to the PUD and subdivision regu- lations. Solar access can save 5 to 15% of home space heating energy needs at virtually no cost. The proper orientation of a house can save energy. It preserves the opportunity for future retrofits, water heaters, greenhouses, or solar cells that convert sunlight to energy (economically available by 1985). MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1981 Page 7