AGENDA #14
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Council Member Joyce Brown
SUBJECT: Policy to Encourage Renewable Energy Planning in Rezoning Applications
DATE: November 12, 2001
In April 2001, the Council adopted a Resolution incorporating a policy statement on energy conservation and use of renewable energy as part of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The statement reads as follows:
“The Town shall encourage site planning, landscaping, and structure design which maximize the potential for energy conservation by reducing the demand for artificial heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting, and facilitating the use of solar and other energy resources.” (Attachment 1)
The Council’s interest in energy conservation and renewable energy has been communicated to the consultant working with the Town on the re-write of the Development Ordinance. That work will likely take several more months. In the meantime, I request that the Council consider adopting the attached Resolution stating the Council’s expectation that any applicants seeking approval of conditional use rezoning applications with an accompanying special use permit will demonstrate consistency with this policy in the Comprehensive Plan by including site planning, landscaping and structure design which maximize the potential for energy conservation and use of renewable energy.
The proposed resolution on energy conservation and use of renewable energy is similar to a resolution adopted by the Council in March 2000, stating the Council’s expectations with respect to an affordable housing component in any residential rezoning application (Attachment 2).
A RESOLUTION STATING THE COUNCIL’S EXPECTATIONS FOR MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION AS A COMPONENT OF CONDITIONAL USE REZONING APPLICATIONS (2001-11-12/R-20)
WHEREAS, Chapel Hill’s Comprehensive Plan contains the following language: “The Town shall encourage site planning, landscaping, and structure design which maximize the potential for energy conservation by reducing the demand for artificial heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting, and facilitating the use of solar and other energy resources”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that it is the expectation of the Council that applicants seeking approval of conditional use rezoning with accompanying special use permits will demonstrate site planning, landscaping, and structure design which maximize the potential for energy conservation and use of renewable energy by reducing the demand for artificial heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting, and facilitating the use of solar and other energy resources.
This the 12th day of November, 2001.