COMMUNITY PLANNING
General Plan
Energy Element
INTRODUCTION
There has been wide-spread public and official concern
about future energy supplies. The fundamental problems underlying the projected decrease
in the supply and increased costs of traditional energy sources are national and
international in scope, but there are significant contributions which can be made by local
government. Land use patterns, building standards, growth policy, transportation and
intensity of development all directly affect local energy consumption. Efficient use of
energy, by both the City and its businesses and residents, can be mandated or encouraged
by local government. Alternative energy sources, which can address at least part of the
City's needs, can be investigated and developed. Since unlimited supply of relatively low
cost energy can no longer be taken for granted, energy considerations need to be evaluated
along with other factors that enter into City policies and decisions.
BACKGROUND
Issues and Problems
1. Convincing energy consumers to utilize energy more
efficiently.
2. An aggressive mandatory energy conservation program
versus a voluntary, incentive-based program.
3. Added energy demand caused by new development and its
ramification on future energy cost and supply.
4. The cost-effectiveness of certain alternate energy
source energy conservation measures.
5. The City's dependence on nonrenewable energy resources.
Opportunities
1. An in-house Energy Coordinator and municipally-owned
water and power utility as a means of implementing conservation policies and programs.
2. Expanded energy conservation programs directed at the
development process and large energy consumers.
3. Increased utilization of Transportation Systems
Management strategies.
4. Local utilization of cost-effective alternative energy
systems.
5. Consumer education, including at the elementary
and secondary school levels.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
AND POLICIES
Strategy I 00.0:
Expanded energy conservation efforts be directed
towards encouraging energy efficient new development and increasing the effectiveness of
current conservation and wheatherization efforts in the public and private sectors.
Policies:
101.0 Energy conservation shall merit equal consideration
with all other development criteria in the evaluation of development projects.
102.0 All new development projects requiring discretionary
action by the City and subject to full environmental impact report shall be made to comply
with all energy related mitigation measures including TSM (Transportation Systems
Management).
103.0 The City shall maintain a power rate structure which
encourages conservation by its consumers.
104.0 The City shall require consideration of solar access
to both present and future developments.
105.0 The City shall encourage and make maximum use of
energy from alternative sources, including, but not limited to utilization and
participation in, if economically feasible, small hydro facilities.
106.0 The City shall devote not less than the current ratio
of its annual power sales revenues to conservation programs.
Programs:
100.1 Expansion of the occupancy inspection program to
include energy audits. Compliance with recommended improvements is to be voluntary, but
audit findings are to be made available to new occupants.
100.2 Annual reports to the Board of Directors by the
Energy Policy Coordinating Committee on the progress of achieving the objectives of
increasing weatherization and reducing BTU consumption by 1988. At the end of FY 1989, the
Energy Policy Coordinating Committee will report to the Board as to whether the extent of
progress achieved under a voluntary approach warrants the institution of mandatory
programs.
100.3 Imposition of a condition on City-assisted
rehabilitation loan approvals to require applicants of loans for improvements beyond those
to meet building code requirements to use an amount not to exceed 6 percent of the loan
for every conservation improvements. Improvements necessary would be determined by the
City's in-house auditors.
100.4 Imposition of a surcharge on power consumption which
exceeds the average monthly consumption during the previous year or a multi-tier power
rate structure in which unit costs increase in proportion to consumption.
100.5 Adoption of ordinances which will:
1) Prohibit Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions
(CC&R's) adverse to solar systems;
2) Require the dedication of solar easements with new
subdivisions (other than condominium conversions); and
3) Establishment procedures and guidelines for reviewing
all new projects for their effect on solar access to existing and future solar
applications on adjacent properties.
100.6 Preparation and implementation of a master plan for
the City's internal energy conservation program which addresses all energy using
facilities and equipment. It should be based on an incentive program and include energy
audits and an implementation schedule with a financing program. The plans should be
annually updated to include new cost-effective energy management tactics and financing
opportunities. The City's Energy Coordinator would be responsible for providing the
coordination and technical assistance for this effort.
100.7 An incentive program for developers to exceed Title
24 energy efficiency standards. incentives can include, but are not limited to:
1)An "Energy Efficiency Rating System,"
administered by the City's Energy, Coordinator, whereby a high rating can be used as a
marketing tool.
2) Priority processing.
Strategy 200.0:
Development of land use patterns which reduce the
need to travel and transportation systems which increase patronage of more energy
efficient travel modes.
Policies:
201.0 The City shall encourage energy efficient land
development.
202.0 The City shall provide incentives to developers to
promote ride sharing and/or the use of public transportation.
Programs:
200.1 Incorporation of incentive provisions in the Zoning
Ordinance granting height and density bonuses for mixed use developments.
200.2 Granting of parking variances to developments which
utilize transportation or parking management techniques or are located adjacent to public
transportation lines.
General Plan
Additional Community Planning
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Last modified on
November 16, 2007
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