HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-027 - Authorizing a Two-Year Pilot Program to Encourage Solar Installations
bk:4/29/08
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-027
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCil OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA AUTHORIZING A TWO-YEAR PilOT
PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE SOLAR INSTALLATIONS BY
TEMPORARilY WAIVING PERMITTING FEES
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCil OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOllOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines
and declares as follows:
A. The City Council Development Committee recently discussed efforts to
broaden the City's environmental agenda including, for instance,
supporting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
program sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Under such a
program, Congress would annually appropriate both competitive and
direct formula-based funding for local energy and conservation projects.
B. Though ultimately interested in a more comprehensive approach to
environmental and energy issues, the Development Committee at its
February 7, 2008, meeting recommended that the City Council consider a
pilot program to encourage installation of solar technologies in Santa Ana.
The opportunities to encourage these technologies are immediate - and
they are another step toward creating a more sustainable community.
C. The two primary uses of solar energy include using the sun to heat water
or to generate electricity. Both rely on widely tested and proven
technologies. But their application has in the past been limited in that the
initial acquisition/construction costs have been relatively high in
comparison to potential cost savings. That dynamic continues to shift,
however, given the ever increasing cost of energy as well as the
heightened awareness of environmental concerns, climate change and the
need to conserve energy. Additionally, advances in solar energy
manufacturing technologies, as well as expanded markets for solar energy
products, are continuing to improve the cost/benefit equation.
D. The City has processed relatively few solar energy projects in recent years
_ less than ten (10) per year. Though the number of solar projects
undertaken over the next two years is difficult to predict, it is expected to
grow.
E. The City's review of solar energy projects involves both plan check and
inspection services. These plan check and inspection services are
Resolution No. 2008-027
Page 1 of 3
estimated to require an average of one staff-hour for passive solar water
heater projects and ten staff-hours for solar electrical systems. At an
average rate of $55/hour the respective permit fees would range from
approximately $55 to $550 per project. This amount is de minimis when
compared to the amount of plan check and inspection fees the City
receives in a year.
F. A two-year permit incentive program for solar energy projects would waive
permiU inspection fees as an incentive to encourage solar installations.
Homeowners, business owners, contractors and others, who would still
submit plans and obtain permits and inspection, to not pay these fees for
such projects during the pilot program. While the number of solar energy
projects is expected to grow, this increase and the corresponding fee
waiver would generate only a trivial effect on workload/staffing, and would
result in an insignificant reduction in revenue.
Section 2. The City Council hereby waives, for a two year period commencing
upon the date of adoption of this Resolution, both plan check and inspection service
fees for solar energy projects that generate heat or electricity and for which permits are
granted. This waiver shall apply to permits granted no later than two years from the
date of adoption of this Resolution.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting
this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 5th day of Mav, 2008.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Joseph W. Fletcher, City Attorney
By:
Ben' in a man
1hi Assistant City Attorney
Resolution No. 2008-027
Page 2 of 3
AYES: Councilmembers: Alvarez. Benavides. Bustamante. Martinez.
Pulido. Sarmiento. Tinaiero m
NOES: Councilmembers: None (0)
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Council members: None (0)
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, PATRICIA E. HEALY, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the
attached Resolution No. 2008-027 to be the original resolution adopted by the City
Council of the City of Santa Ana on Mav 5. 2008.
Date:
6~D'7- .87"
~~d
Patricia E. Healy
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2008-027
Page 3 of 3