12-09-2013 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 25, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 29 (5. #13-3616 CITY OF ORONO, ZONING CODE AMENDMENT – ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS, ORDINANCE NO. (TABLED), Continued) Levang stated as it relates to Page 7, Item No. 9 states that the collector and mounting system shall cover no more than 70 percent, which in her view seems like a huge amount. Levang asked how the 70 percent was determined. Gaffron stated that number likely came from other cities’ codes and it was not something Staff attempted to define. Levang asked when the Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance whether they considered how that would impact the neighbor’s view and whether any thought was given to the aesthetics of the system and the impact on someone else’s view Gaffron stated the language in Item No. 10 states that all solar panels shall be designed, installed, positioned and constructed of materials so as not to cause any glare or reflective sunlight onto neighboring properties or structures, nor toward vehicular traffic on land or on a lake, and so as to not obstruct views. Reflection angles from collector surfaces shall be oriented away from neighboring windows. Where necessary, screening may be required to address glare. Gaffron indicated those standards are all addressing the potential impacts on a neighbor but not addressing necessarily the aesthetics. Gaffron stated the Planning Commission did not specifically discuss aesthetics. McMillan asked who would make the decision on whether it is causing glare or other problems. Gaffron stated that would be part of the design work and review process that would occur. Gaffron indicated the ordinance itself does not provide any specifics on who would make that determination so it would likely be up to City Staff. Mattick stated if there is glare, the City Council would need to address it, but the ordinance calls for non- reflective materials. Mattick stated other cities tend to regulate the type of materials used. Printup asked if any of the options or versions discussed by the Planning Commission ever looked at systems on a case-by-case basis and whether the City should develop a process to handle that rather than an actual ordinance. Gaffron stated if these were made a conditional use as opposed to an allowed or permitted accessory use that would be one way to guarantee review by the Planning Commission and City Council. Mattick stated that is correct, but in terms of a case-by-case basis, the City has to make sure that Property Owner A has the same rights as Property Owner B. Mattick indicated the regulations created would need to be uniform and that properties in the same zoning district would need to have the same chance at installing solar. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 12/09/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 11/25/2013 [Page 15 of 29]