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Home My WebLink About6/28/2018 Item 1, Meyer From:Eric Meyer < To:Advisory Bodies; Council_All; Davidson, Doug; Fowler, Xzandrea Subject:planning commission 6-27, Planning commission 6-28 Planning Commission From Eric Meyer, Eric Veium 6-27-18 Re: 1-public hearing Zoning Code Update 6-27-2018 2-public hearing 1035 Madonna Road (San Luis Ranch) 6-28,2018 Commissioners, This zoning code update forgets to include the “future city-wide policy regarding zero carbon emissions” specifically negotiated and agreed to in the development agreements (below) between the City Council and the Avila Ranch and San Luis Ranch developers. If not now… when will such policy be incorporated into our city ordinance? If not now… how can we make sure that these two large developments (and other pending developments) are required to achieve the climate action/carbon reduction goals desired by our citizens and council? Said policy was already discussed between the Council and the developers… and was to include prioritization for electrification over the use of Natural Gas. Perhaps with incentives of some sort. Specifically discussed for such a Zero Carbon Home Ordinance were an electric heat requirement for both water and comfort heating (heat pump), an induction cooking alternative (minimum of 220V outlet at stove) , PV ready design, battery ready design, Expandable EV/e-bike charging infrastructure for single and multifamily (designed for expansion), and more. Please see bold type in the development agreement language: San Luis Ranch Development Agreement: Section 7.06. Energy. Developer shall provide for accelerated compliance with the City’s Energy Conservation Goals and its Climate Action Plan by implementing energy conservation measures significantly above City standards and norms by providing for solar PV energy generation for 100 percent of onsite electrical demand at build-out. The Project shall also include energy efficiency standards in excess of the Building Code in effect in the City on the Vesting Date as set forth in Exhibit H, Community Benefits. Developer shall provide sustainability features including: (i) housing that meets the 2019 net zero building and energy codes or, if the 2019 building and energy codes are not yet adopted upon building permit application, equivalent energy features shall be provided to the approval of the Community Development Director, (ii) implementing any future City-wide policy regarding zero carbon emissions, (iii) solar electric panels, (iv) integrated power outlets for electric vehicles and electric bicycles, (v) building design that maximizes grey water usage, and (vi) work-at-home options with high-speed fiber-optic connectivity. Avila Ranch Development Agreement: Section 7.07. Energy. Avila Ranch shall provide for accelerated compliance with the City’s Energy Conservation Goals and its Climate Action Plan by implementing energy conservation measures significantly above City standards and norms by providing for solar PV energy generation for 100 percent of onsite electrical demand as described in Section 13 of the Design Framework of the Development Plan. The Project shall also include energy efficiency standards in excess of the current Building Code. Developer shall provide sustainability features as described in Section 13 of the Design Framework of the Development Plan, including: (i) housing that meets the 2019 net zero building and energy codes or, if the 2019 building and energy codes are not yet adopted upon building permit application, the equivalent to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director, (ii) implementing any future city-wide policy regarding carbon emissions reduction,(iii) solar electric panels, (iv) integrated power outlets for electric vehicles and electric bicycles, (v) building design that maximizes grey water usage, and (vi) work-at- home options with high-speed internet connectivity. 1 Becoming a “Net-zero carbon city” is one of the 4 “Major City Goals” of the city of San Luis Obispo. It should thus be a very high priority for this Planning Commission to include in the Zoning code update… and not relegated to some future uncertain. Here are 3 specific existing policy examples that support the development of this policy: 1- Major City Goal Climate Action - Implement Climate Action Plan, assess requirements to achieve a “net-zero carbon City” target, and implement cost-effective measures, including implementation of a Sustainability Coordinator and formation of a Green Team. Such policy should be within the zoning code as this is where the Climate Action Plan states it should be: 2- From the 2012 Climate Action Plan Page 17: “Existing local policies that reduce energy use within the community can be found in the General Plan, Community Design Guidelines, and Zoning Regulations.” ----------------- "Solar ready" design, Heat Pumps and high energy efficiency appliances are further supported by the sustainable design policies in the the 2014 Land Use Element (aka LUCE): 3- From the 2014 Land Use Element 9.7 Sustainable Design B. Energy-Efficient Appliances Utilize appliances, including air conditioning and heating systems that achieve high energy efficiency. Incorporation of alternative energy systems (e.g. passive and/or active solar, heat pumps) is encouraged. H.Solar Ready The City shall encourage new development to be built “solar ready” so that owners may easily install solar infrastructure, as appropriate. --------------- SLO has thousands of new homes in the permit process right now. We need to get this policy drafted and into ordinance immediately. The “future city-wide policy regarding zero carbon emissions” needs to be included in our zoning update NOW…. not later. Now is the future… now is the time. Waiting does nothing to achieve our goals and only further reduces our chances of meeting carbon reduction goals we as a community desire. If we cannot include such policy today… then where should such policy be created? When do we create the policy insuring that thousands of homes will not be built with expensive and unnecessary reliance on fossil fuels for the next century? We at least need to make reference to future policy in this zoning code update and fast track same into ordinance immediately. We cannot allow any current development proposals to accidentally "get around" this coming new policy. We cannot accidentally miss the opportunity to apply said ordinance to the 3000 to 5000 new homes coming soon. We cannot let these thousands of homes accidentally slip through without being as absolutely efficient as possible. Thank you, Eric Meyer, Eric Veium -- Eric Meyer frenchbicycles@gmail.com 2