Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franciscan Renewal Center seeks parking‑lot solar shades; commissioners press on setback, height and screening
Summary
Staff and the applicant presented a major SUP amendment to add four parking‑lot shade/solar arrays totaling roughly 19,200 sq ft at the Franciscan Renewal Center; commissioners asked for design details, alternative landscaping and a designer to appear at a June 16 work session to address a single non‑complying setback and visual impacts.
The Paradise Valley Planning Commission on June 2 reviewed a major special‑use permit amendment (SUP‑26‑02) for the Franciscan Renewal Center at 5802 E. Lincoln Drive that would add four parking‑lot shade structures holding solar panels totaling about 19,200 square feet.
Staff member Mr. McMahon said the project would increase on‑site floor area by roughly 156% relative to the existing campus calculation and listed array sizes of about 3,745, 4,370, 4,214 and 6,869 square feet. He told commissioners most elements comply with code: the structures are proposed at a maximum height of 16 feet (under the 24‑foot accessory‑structure maximum), the materials would be matte black non‑reflective panels, no new lighting is proposed except to lower two existing poles under Array 1, and staff found wall heights along the nearby neighbor property range from about 6 to 8 feet.
Commissioners focused on off‑site visibility and one setback exception. Mr. McMahon and staff said three of the four arrays meet the town's 60‑foot advisory setback from residential property, but Array 4 would sit about 42 feet 8 inches from the adjacent residential parcel because it is located over existing parking spaces. "That exception is up to the Commission" he said, noting the guideline is advisory and the commission and council may find it appropriate for the site.
Neighbors and screening were central to the discussion. Applicant Mike Slivers, director of operations for the Franciscan center, summarized a May 28 citizen review meeting: two residents attended and raised concerns about sight lines and views of Camelback Mountain; another resident who recently installed rooftop solar expressed support. Slivers said he took 16‑foot lift photos and measurements and provided those to staff. "In most cases, most of the trees in the area are already taller than the structures would be," he said, adding the applicant is open to topping or changing plant selections.
Several commissioners urged alternative planting lists and asked whether the arrays could be lower. Slivers and the applicant's designer explained that lowering below about 13 feet could create a vehicle‑clearance hazard for taller vehicles and that some tilt (under 5 degrees) is necessary for drainage and panel efficiency. Commissioner Rose and others said they would want the designer to demonstrate whether reduced tilt or signage for clearance could allow lower heights.
The commission reached consensus to request: (1) alternative vegetation options that better address screening and view corridors, (2) a design‑level presentation by the array designer to explain tilt/height tradeoffs and clearance constraints, and (3) further exploration of potential adjustments to Array 4 to reduce its encroachment on the setback. Staff said the item is scheduled for discussion and possible action at the June 16 meeting and that citizen‑review meeting minutes will be included in the packet.
Next steps: staff and the applicant will supply the requested renderings, vegetation alternatives and designer testimony for the June 16 work session; no decision or vote occurred on June 2.
