HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 19402~,
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ORDINANCE NO. ~ q y Q Z.
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING SOLAR ACCESS IN THE
WESTSIDS MIXED IISE DISTRICT; AMENDING ORDI-
NANCE N4 . 1$ Q 81; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. Having identified energy conservation as one of its
primary goals, in 1981 the Council adopted revisions to the Eugene
Code, 1 971 providing for the provision of solar access in new
planned unit developments and subdivisions. At that time the
Council directed staff to develop regulations and recommendations
for provision of solar access throughout the City in existing as
well as new developments.
B. In March of 1985 the Planning Commission began its study
and issued a report in July, 1985 concerning proposed solar access
Code provisions. Over 100 copies of that report were distributed
to potentially affected parties such as the local homebuilders'
association, Neighborhood Organizations, the Local Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects, the Chamber of Commerce, EWEB,
etc., for their review and comment.
C. The proposed amendments were the subject of several work
sessions by the Planning Commission, and it held a public hearing
thereon on December 3, 1985. This was followed by work sessions
~~~~,~~~ and transmittal of its recommendation to the Cit Council.
D. The Council held a public hearing on the Planning Commis-
sion's recommendation on April 14, 198, and alsa considered the
proposal at subsequent work sessions.
E. The adop tian of these proposed solar access provisions
would be consistent with the City's goal of improving the economic
climate for its citizens. AS indicated in the summary provided to
the Planning Cammission by staff entitled "Solar Access Protection
- Summary of Economic Rationale
~1~ A BPA funded study found that the potential energy
savings from installation of solar energy systems in existing
metro area pausing would be nearly 22 percent of the area's
residential needs. Based on 1985 electricity prices, this
could be over $9 million annually;
~2~ A 19$3 survey by Lane County found that 75 percent
of those surveyed were interested in solar energy systems,
and over, l8 percent of those planned to buy a system within
the following,two years. Given the degree of interest, it is
important to insure those investments in solar energy systems
are protected;
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~3y Research has also indicated that a vast majority of
homes in the metro area benefit from solar access by default.
That is to say, a typical home saves from 5 percent to 20 ~ ~.
percent of its space heating needs because of solar radiation `~~~:~~~~~~~-~~
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that falls upon the roof, walls and windows. The economic `~~
value of this incidental solar benefit to Eugene is estimated
to be over $800, o0o annually. Conversely, a Solar Study
funded by BPA found that only 44 percent of the residences in
the metro area have clear solar access to their south_facing
walls and 65 percent clear access to the roofs. The value of
this lost solar development potential to single family hous-
ing was estimated to be aver $? million annually; and
~4~ Analyses developed by the Northwest Power Planning
Council and EwEB have determined that passive solar building s
offer the most cost-effective means for meeting energy effi-
ciency standards.
F. The proposed amendments are also consistent with adopted
energy conservation goals, including Goal 1 of the Energy Element
of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan set forth
on page zII-J-3, to "Maximize the conservation and efficient
utilization of all types of energy. , and with Statewide Planning
Goal 13, which provides that "Land and uses developed on the land
shall be managed and controlled so as to maximize the conservation
of all forms of energy, based upon sound economic principles,"
G. Based upon the above findings, and the hearings before
the Planning Commission and Council, the Council adopted the
propased solar access amendments to the Eugene Code, 1971, to be :~`
effective on January 1 1987, and the Downtown Westside Mixed Use ~~
District Ordinance No. 18081 should be amended to reflect certain
of those changes.
NGW, THEREFQRE,
THE CITY GF EUGENE DGES QRDAIN AS F~}LLQWS;
Section 1. Development Standards 2 and 6 set forth in Exhi-
bit "D" to Ordinance No. 18081 are amended to read and provide:
2. Height limits shall be governed by the Solar
Setback Standard of the R-4 District, except that in any
event each parcel may be developed to a height of 25
feet.
~. Any street tree removed under a ermit ranted
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pursuant to Section 4,790 of the City Code shall, if
required by the City Manager or his designate, be
replaced by an approved shade tree having a minimum
calip size of 2-1/2 -~ 3 inches. If the right-of-way is
oriented to within 45 degrees of the true east-west
axis,, then only trees on the list of solar friendly
trees maintained by the Parks & Recreation Department
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Ordinance -- 2
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may be planted,
Section ~. This ordinance shall become effective January 1,
~~~:~~~-T 1987, Except as herein amended, all other provisions of Ordinance
No. 18081 remain in full force and effect, to which the City
Recorder is requested to append this Ordinance.
Passed by the City Council this Approved by the Mayor this
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~ ~ day of ~ ~,S-~" 198G ~ ~ da ~
...,. - ~ y of ~ u u ~ , 1986
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