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City staff previews ordinance to define accessory‑use solar systems in design review districts
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Summary
The city's Office of Sustainability briefed the Historic Preservation Commission on a proposed municipal code amendment to define accessory‑use solar systems and allow rooftop, ground‑mount and building‑integrated solar in non‑historic design review districts; the proposal would not change historic district solar rules.
The Office of Sustainability presented an informational briefing to the Historic Preservation Commission on a proposed municipal code amendment that would introduce definitions for solar energy systems and treat accessory solar differently in non‑historic design review districts.
"The ordinance, in front of you today for informational purposes only, is introducing definitions for the first time to the municipal code of solar energy systems," said T. O. Bowman, manager in the Office of Sustainability. Bowman explained the draft would clarify when solar counts as mechanical equipment requiring screening and when it may be treated as an accessory use (rooftop, ground‑mount or building‑integrated) in design review districts outside historic preservation overlays.
Staff stressed this briefing was informational only; the proposed changes would not alter solar rules inside historic preservation districts. Commissioners were invited to send questions as the draft moves forward to the planning commission and city council for formal consideration.
Next steps: staff will present the formal ordinance draft in subsequent public hearings with planning commission and city council as part of the regular code update process.
