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Council amends urban revitalization incentives to encourage all‑electric homes, adds solar option
Summary
Council approved amendments to the urban revitalization area plan to offer an enhanced abatement for all‑electric homes and a separate schedule that requires a solar installation sized to 50% of projected energy use, aligning incentives with the city's climate action goals.
Council considered two related amendments to the city's urban revitalization area (URA) plan that change enhanced tax abatement incentives for new home construction.
Staff presented two options: (1) a modest abatement (roughly $2,200) for an all‑electric home, or (2) an enhanced schedule that ties the abatement to homes that are all‑electric and also include a solar installation sized at 50% of projected energy use. Staff said option 2 better advances the city's climate action objectives but costs more per unit of incentive.
Council discussed whether to include both options so the program can be tested for uptake; staff warned that including both requires readvertising and another public hearing. Council approved moving forward with both schedules (alternative 1 a and b) and directed staff to monitor uptake and revisit future adjustments.
Public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. Council noted the need to track whether the incentives meaningfully change building choices and urged staff to report back if one option proves more effective.
