REPORT TO SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Forward a recommendation to the City Council to Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 19.56 (Alternative Energy Systems) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code related to the Solar Access Requirements Study Issue (2016-7279), and Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA.
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
On October 26, 2015, following the approval of a solar access variance, the Planning Commission sponsored this study issue (Attachment 2) to evaluate the current practice of solar access requirements and regulation of solar shading on adjacent parcels.
As stated in the study issue paper, this study is intended to determine whether the threshold for determining solar access regulations should be based on an analysis on December 21st (shortest day of the year) or consider a broader criteria such as a 365-day solar cycle analysis. The purpose of the study was to:
* Examine whether the current regulations are effective for all types of development and improvements being made to properties;
* Look at solar access for an entire parcel, not just roof-top solar access;
* Examine whether certain areas of the City should have different solar access requirements;
* Consider whether shading standards should vary between residential and non-residential buildings.
Sunnyvale is one of only a few cities that regulate solar access. Solar collection systems have both direct and indirect benefits to the City. They contribute to the City meeting the emissions reductions goals enumerated in the Sunnyvale Climate Action Plan (CAP) while also moving community members away from dependence on non-renewable sources of energy.
This report provides options for solar access regulations, describing the pros and cons for each option. Staff recommends that the Sustainability Commission make the recommendation to the City Council to adopt an ordinance (Attachment 3) to amend Chapter 19.56 (Alternative Energy Systems) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to a...
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