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Council refers draft battery‑energy storage ordinance to Planning & Zoning for UDC amendment
Summary
Council reviewed a draft ordinance to regulate battery energy storage systems (BESS), discussed adopting International Fire Code 2018 versus later versions, and voted to send the draft as a proposed Unified Development Code (UDC) text amendment to the Planning & Zoning board for review.
Council considered a draft ordinance regulating battery‑energy storage systems adapted from a neighboring city's code. Staff said the draft uses the International Fire Code (IFC) 2018 because the city has not yet adopted newer building and fire‑code updates; the fire marshal said forthcoming code updates will include NFPA standards for battery storage and that the city intends to update codes to 2024 in a subsequent step.
Council members raised editorial and technical questions, including a missing sub‑exhibit label in the draft and a signage lettering specification that appeared too small (listed as 0.375 inches). After clarifications from staff and the fire marshal, a councilmember moved to send the ordinance language to Planning & Zoning as a UDC text amendment for review; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The referral means the P&Z will deliberate and provide a recommendation back to council for two readings and final action.
