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Downtown Design Commission directs solar carports be installed with street-tree scenario
Summary
The commission voted Jan. 15 to require the applicant for 1111 and 1100 Classen Drive to install scenario 2 — a west-side solar canopy combined with street trees — after hearing modeling that placing larger street trees would reduce annual solar output by about 10%, compared with a 6% loss on the east side.
The Downtown Design Commission on Jan. 15 approved placement of solar-panel carports at 1111 and 1100 Classen Drive under a compromise that pairs a west-side canopy with street trees. The commission conditioned approval on the applicant installing “scenario 2,” the streetscape-focused option the commission said best balances pedestrian comfort and solar production.
Brian Fitzsimmons of Fitzsimmons Architects presented three placement plans and a consultant’s solar-performance analysis, saying, “Adding the street trees … results in a 10% projected loss of solar energy over a course of a year and … placing it on the East Side … results in a 6% loss.” The applicant said the west-side canopy was preferred but that the tree-lined streetscape in scenario 2 would better serve retail and pedestrian needs.
Commission members questioned pedestrian clearances, tree wells and the 2-foot landscape buffer in front of parking spaces; staff noted ADA-passing widths and zoning passing width requirements. Chair Kayla Copeland said she favored the street trees and described scenario 2 as a “stronger streetscape,” acknowledging the estimated solar-power sacrifice.
A commissioner moved to approve the application on the grounds it complies with the Downtown Design District zoning ordinance, and to require installation of scenario 2 as directed by the commission; another commissioner seconded and the motion passed.
The commission’s approval resolves the remaining question about canopy placement while leaving other previously approved items and a variance for solar installation unchanged. The commission did not alter the prior variance approving solar installation itself.
