Solar Panels Architectural Review District Department of Planning & Building February 13, 2017

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1 Solar Panels Architectural Review District Department of Planning & Building February 13, 2017

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3 History: Worthington Design Guidelines Architectural Review District established in Any new construction and/or exterior modification or change to an existing structure in the Architectural Review District requires ARB approval to ensure compliance with the Worthington Design Guidelines. Residential and commercial

4 Worthington Design Guidelines Sustainability: City Council adopted Resolution # ( ) incorporating sustainable design and building practices in the Design Guidelines with the goal to preserve the character and integrity of the Architectural Review District.

5 Worthington Design Guidelines Solar Panel Current Guidelines: Place solar panels in a location that minimizes the visual impact as seen from the right-of-way and surrounding properties. Generally, panels should be located on roofs in the following manner: the rear 50% of the roof of the main building; the rear inside quadrant of the roof of a main building on a corner lot; or on accessory structures in the rear yard. On sloped roofs, place panels flush along the roof unless visibility is decreased with other placement. With flat roofs, keep panels at least 5 from the edge of the roof, or place at the edge if a building parapet exists that will screen the panels. Solar panels at another location on a building or site may be acceptable if their placement does not have an adverse effect on the architecture of the building, or the character of the site or Architectural Review District.

6 Solar Panels Discussion: Current Regulations: Architectural Review District ARB approval required Recommended placement on the rear of the structure residential & commercial Outside the Architectural Review District - Citywide Permitted No requirement on the placement residential & commercial

7 Solar Panels Discussion: Discussion: Placement of solar panels in the Architectural Review District, focusing on the Worthington Historic District. General consensus amongst all City Council members supporting the use of solar panels throughout the City and in the Worthington Historic District.

8 Solar Panels Discussion: Location: Overall support for solar panels being located on the rear of structures in the Historic District. Issue: Placement of solar panels on the front and side of structures. Research: Solar regulations in Design Guidelines and/or Planning & Zoning Code Jurisdictions

9 Design Guidelines Regulating Placement Worthington, OH Westerville, OH Dublin, OH Wooster, OH Asheville, NC Fort Worth, TX* Bedford, OH Aurora, IL Rock Island, IL Glendale, OH City of Saint Louis, MO Hudson, OH Springboro, OH Franklin, TN Schaumburg, IL Naperville, IL New Orleans, LA* Norfolk, VA Kalamazoo, MI Grand Rapids, MI Concord, MA Athens, GA Augusta, GA District of Columbia Knoxville, TN Lewisburg, WV *Side/rear elevations

10 Design Guidelines Regulating Placement Design Guidelines No Direct Reference Case-by-case review: Delaware, OH Preference to the rear of structures Columbus, OH Historic Districts Preference to the rear of structures Granville, OH Preference to the rear of structures and on accessory structures Shaker Heights, OH Cleveland Heights, OH* Hamilton, OH *Planning & Zoning Code

11 Planning & Zoning Code Regulating Placement Planning & Zoning Code: Bexley, OH Cleveland Heights, OH* Design Guidelines and Planning & Zoning Code: Upper Arlington No regulations on the placement of solar panels Bedford, OH* Rock Island, IL* Gun Plain Township, MI Glendale, OH* Hudson, OH* Springboro, OH* *ARB approval also required

12 Solar Panels Discussion: Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) and the National Park Service recommendation on the placement of solar panels: Placement of solar panels should not negatively impact the historic character of a property and should not be visible from the public right-of-way.

13 Solar Panel Discussion: Language: The current language found in the Worthington Design Guidelines seems similar to what you will find in other jurisdictions solar regulations as to the placement of the panels.

14 Solar Panels Discussion: Solar Panel Regulations: Consistent theme in permitting some type of latitude or wiggle room in their review. There does not appear to be a one size fits all regulation for solar panel placement.

15 Solar Panel Discussion: Key Issue: Location of solar panels on the front and side of structures. Almost all of the jurisdictions that regulate the placement of solar panels in an area that is subject to Design Guidelines do not permit their location on the front and sides of structures. Some jurisdictions referenced their location on the side of structures towards the rear of the structure, however the consensus was to not have them directly located on the front of the structure.

16 Solar Panels Discussion: Next Steps (Updated 2/14/17 to reflect new timeline established at 2/13/17 City Council meeting): February 13th City Council Committee of the Whole meeting Present research findings related to how solar panels are regulated in the Worthington community in comparison to other cities in Ohio and the U.S. Answer Council questions related to the findings. Informational meeting. Week of February 20th or February 27 th Meet with interested parties to gather feedback, answer questions and discuss issues or concerns. March 20th City Council Committee of the Whole meeting Public Input Public will have the opportunity to provide comment and input. April 3rd City Council meeting City Council will discuss the findings of the research and the information collected through public input. April 10th Worthington City Council meeting If changes to the Design Guidelines or Ordinances are warranted, draft legislation will be provided to City Council for consideration.

17 Solar Panel Discussion: QUESTIONS