Title
An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning Ordinance) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to add Section 5:83 (Solar Energy Systems) (Ordinance No. ORD-18-01)
Memorandum
The preparation of this ordinance was in response to a temporary moratorium on the permitting and installation of any ground mounted solar arrays. This moratorium was established by City Council on April 17, 2017 and was effective for 180 days. City Council extended the moratorium on October 2, 2017 in order to allow sufficient time to consider these regulations. Council directed staff and Planning Commission to develop regulations for ground mounted solar arrays. Since that time staff has conducted extensive research of local and national codes for solar arrays, a summary chart of select ordinances is attached. Reviewing similar ordinances and working with staff from the City of Ann Arbor's Energy Office, Planning staff developed a Solar Energy Systems (SES) ordinance.
The proposed ordinance will create a new section in Chapter 55, which will be known as Section 5:83 (Solar Energy Systems). This section will add definitions and requirements for ground based Solar Energy Systems (SES) located in single or two family districts or associated with single family uses in the R3 (Townhouse) or R4 (Multiple-Family) Zoning Districts. At this time, all SES are regulated the same as accessory buildings. This new ordinance will create a dedicated section with code requirements specifically for ground mounted SES and related equipment.
With this code amendment, a SES will be required to be screened in the front yard wherever the sides or rear of the SES are visible from a public ROW. Screening shall consist of fencing, wall, evergreen vegetation, berm or combination thereof with a minimum of 80% opacity. A SES is not permitted within the required front setback area of a parcel.
A Solar Energy System may be permitted in the remaining front yard. The front yard is defined as any remainin...
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