§ 122-626. Specific standards for solar systems.
(a)
Solar systems are a permitted use subject to the following standards:
(1)
Height. Solar systems shall meet the following height standards:
a.
Height of solar systems mounted on poles shall not exceed height requirements for principal uses as specified in article XIV, schedule of regulations.
b.
Height of solar systems that are roof-mounted and not within regulated historic districts may exceed the height of the tallest part of the roof to which it is attached by no more than ten feet.
c.
Applicants must obtain special use approval from the planning commission to exceed height restrictions
(2)
Setback requirements. Solar systems shall meet the following setback requirements:
a.
General rules for location on lot. Solar systems, with the exception of building integrated solar systems, may not encroach into setback requirements for accessory uses for the zoning district in which they are to be located; nor shall they be located between the front lot line and the front wall of dwellings.
b.
Pole-mounted solar systems. Solar systems shall be set back a distance equal to the height of the pole or solar system, whichever is greater, from all adjacent occupied structures.
c.
Roof-mounted solar systems.
1.
Location on roof. The collector surface and mounting devices shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which it is mounted.
2.
Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the side or rear of a building and shall be painted to blend in with adjacent surfaces.
(3)
Number.
a.
Pole-mounted. Solar systems may consist of two pole-mounted systems.
b.
Roof-mounted. Unlimited.
c.
Building integrated. Unlimited.
d.
Wall-mounted. Shall not cover more than 50 percent of the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
Installation. Solar systems may be mounted on poles, roof-mounted, or wall-mounted.
(5)
Guy wires. Poles requiring guy wires are not permitted in R-1, single-family residential and R-2 single and two-family residential districts.
(6)
Size of solar systems.
a.
Ground-mounted. Limited to lot coverage requirements for accessory structures.
b.
Roof-mounted. May not exceed the square footage of the roof to which they are attached.
c.
Building integrated. No limit to the size of building integrated systems.
d.
Wall-mounted. Shall not cover more than 50 percent of the wall to which it is attached.
(7)
Minimum lot size. None.
(b)
Where a solar system is the principle use of the property, it is only permitted after special use approval in the M-1, light industrial and M-2, general industrial districts subject to the following standards:
(1)
Height. Subject to special approval.
(2)
Square footage of systems. Subject to special approval.
(3)
Setback requirements. Solar systems shall meet the following setback requirements:
a.
Solar systems may not encroach into setback requirements for principal uses for the zoning district in which they are to be located.
b.
Solar systems shall be set back a distance equal to 100 percent of the system height from all property boundaries, public rights-of-way, utility lines, or the Saginaw River.
(4)
Number. Subject to special approval.
(5)
Installation. Solar systems may be ground-mounted, roof-mounted or on poles.
(6)
Minimum lot size. Subject to special approval.
(7)
Decommissioning. The applicant shall submit a decommissioning plan that is in recordable form to be recorded with the county register of deeds. The plan shall include the anticipated life of the project, the estimated decommissioning costs net of salvage value in current dollars, the method of ensuring that funds shall be available for decommissioning and restoration and the anticipated manner in which the project shall be decommissioned and the site restored.
(8)
The planning commission may require that applicants provide a form of surety, either through escrow account, bond or otherwise, to cover the cost of removal in the event the city must remove the solar system, of an amount and form determined to be reasonable by the planning commission, but in no event to exceed more than 125 percent of the cost of removal and compliance with the additional requirements set forth herein. Such surety shall not be required for municipally or state-owned solar systems. If required, the applicant shall submit a fully inclusive estimate of the costs associated with removal prepared by a qualified engineer. The amount shall include a mechanism for cost of living adjustment.
(Ord. No. 2010-9, 6-21-10)