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Home My WebLink AboutPC Resolution 15-19 - (Rooftop Solar Energy Systems)P.C. RESOLUTION 15-19 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING A STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND APPROVING THE PERMITTING CHECKLIST REQUIRED BY AB 2188. The Planning Commission of the City of Hermosa Beach does hereby resolve and order as follows: Section 1. The City has historically placed a priority on solar energy and for several years has implemented a policy of processing installation of residential rooftop solar energy systems in an expedited manner through an administrative permit process and waiving application fees for such installations. Section 2. In September 2014, the Governor signed AB 2188 (Muratsuchi 2014), which among other things, requires all cities and counties to adopt an ordinance and permitting checklist creating an expedited permit process for small residential rooftop solar installations in substantial compliance with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook and recommendations of the Governor's Office of Planning and Research by September 30, 2015. Section 3. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on July 21, 2015 to consider amending the Municipal Code to comply with AB 2188 by codifying the City's existing practice of requiring all rooftop solar energy systems to receive an administrative permit pursuant to an expedited process, and a determination that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") and all testimony, both oral and written, was presented to and considered by the Commission. Section 4. The project is exempt from CEQA per Section 15061(b)(3) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations on the basis that the zone text amendments will not have a significant effect on the environment because the amendments are minor in nature and make essentially administrative changes to the existing practice of issuing administrative permits for rooftop solar energy systems in an expedited manner. Further, the project is exempt under Section 15300.1 as a ministerial project because AB 2188 requires the adoption of the zone text amendments. Section 5. The Planning Commission hereby finds that the following zone text amendments would satisfy the requirements of AB 2188 and therefore recommends City Council approval of an ordinance to establish a streamlined permitting process for rooftop solar energy systems as follows: A. Section 17.40.230 is hereby added to Chapter 17.40 of Title 17 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code to read as follows: roofs. 17.40.230 Rooftop Solar Energy Systems This section sets forth requirements for permitting of solar energy systems installed on A. Administrative Permit Requirements. Rooftop energy systems shall be subject to the following requirements: 1. Rooftop energy systems may be installed upon issuance of an administrative permit in compliance with Chapter 17.55. 2. Applications for rooftop energy systems may be submitted electronically, and an electronic signature shall be accepted in lieu of a wet signature. 3. A complete application meeting the requirements of the City's approved streamlined solar permitting checklist shall be approved in accordance with Chapter 17.55 upon successful completion of an inspection by the Director or his or her designee. No more than one inspection shall be required except where the system fails an initial inspection or a separate fire safety inspection is required. 4. Notwithstanding Section 17.55.040, review of an application for an administrative permit for a rooftop solar energy system shall be limited to a determination of whether the system meets all health and safety requirements of federal and state law, and local standards and regulations necessary to ensure that the proposed system will not have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety. 5. Notwithstanding subparagraph (4) above, a conditional use permit shall be required where the Director finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have specific, adverse impact on public health and safety. If the Director finds that a conditional use permit is required, such permit shall not be denied unless the Director makes written findings based on substantial evidence in the record that the proposed system would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid that impact. 6. Any conditions imposed on a permit to install a rooftop energy system shall be designed to mitigate specific, adverse impacts upon the public health and safety at the lowest cost possible. B. Development Standards. Rooftop energy systems shall conform to the standards set forth in Section 17.46.220. Section 6. The Planning Commission also finds that the solar energy system permitting checklist attached as Attachment A would satisfy the requirements of AB 2188 and recommends that the City Council adopt the solar energy system permitting checklist. VOTE: AYES: Comms.Allen,Hoffman,Pizer,Saemann,Chmn.Flaherty NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None 2 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution P.C. No. 15-19 is a true and complete record of the action taken by the Planning Commission of the City of Hermosa Beach, California at its regular meeting of July 21, 2015 1 .,a m Flaherty, Miellael F ..m.... y, Chairman % � l� ci-'ts ii, Secretary July 21, 2015 „— W__ Date 3 Attachment A Streamlined Permitting Eligibility Checklist City of Hermosa Beach Civic Center, 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, California 90254-3884 ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST FOR EXPEDITED SOLAR PV PERMITTING FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS GENERAL REQUIREMENTS A. System size is 10 kW AC CEC rating or less Y N B. The solar array is roof -mounted on one- or two-family dwelling or accessory structure Y N C. The height of the solar panel/module arrays will comply with HBMC 17.46.220 Y N D. Solar system is utility interactive and without battery storage Y N E. Permit application is completed and attached Y N ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS A. No more than four photovoltaic module strings are connected to each Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) input where source circuit fusing is included in the inverter Y N 1) No more than two strings per MPPT input where source circuit fusing is not included Y N 2) Fuses (if needed) are rated to the series fuse rating of the PV module Y N 3) No more than one noninverter-integrated DC combiner is utilized per inverter Y N B. For central inverter systems: No more than two inverters are utilized Y N C. The PV system is interconnected to a single-phase AC service panel of nominal 120/220 Vac with a bus bar rating of 225 A or less Y N D. The PV system is connected to the load side of the utility distribution equipment Y N E. A Solar PV Standard Plan and supporting documentation is completed and attached Y N STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS A. A completed Structural Criteria and supporting documentation is attached (if required) Y N FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS A. Clear access pathways provided Y N B. Fire classification solar system is provided Y N C. All required markings and labels are provided Y N D. A diagram of the roof layout of all panels, modules, clear access pathways and approximate locations of electrical disconnecting means and roof access points is completed and attached Y N Notes: Projects meeting ALL the criteria above are entitled to expedited processing under State law. If any items are checked NO, revise design to fit within Eligibility Checklist, otherwise permit application may be subject to non -expedited processing due to the need for additional review. El