Thread by @shayshinecastle

I referenced this earlier: Solar installations and height limit.

City installing 2.5MW on 13 city facilities
Must be built and energized by March 31, 2020 (I forget why; it's not in my notes)
One at parking garage on 15th and Pearl is not allowed by code

2010, exemptions to city charter height limit for renewable energy systems
Can go up to 10 feet higher on a flat roof with a pitch of no more than 2:12
Parking garages are not specifically mentioned in the code

Staff believes measuring from the lowest point of the highest floor would be appropriate for additional height. However, this would prohibit panels from most of the 15th/Pearl garage bc the lowest point is the base of the ramp.

Per the memo: "The proposed ordinance would clarify the way height of an appurtenance is calculated on these structures without adding any additional height to the structure."

This emergency ordinance would amend the charter to add a subsection specifically for parking garages, stating that 10 feet in additional height would be measured from “the highest deck of the parking or parapet wall on the building.”

Emergency ordinance is needed bc building permits need to be submitted by the end of September to begin construction and meet deadline; work has to stop during busy holiday season bc of the high utilization of the parking garage

OK, now I remember: The deadline for completion is to get some tax credits.

I didn't remember; staff said it in response to a q from Young: Would we be doing this if it was a private development?

There is precedence, staff person says (sorry; I was tweeting and didn't catch her name). The city did a change (didn't make it to council level) for the solar installation at Avalon Ballroom.

This particular installation at 15th and Pearl will go up to 65 feet, taking up the allowed extra 10 feet.

Carlisle critical of this coming last-minute, though it's a good thing to be giving extra height for, she says.

"65 feet, was it?" Carlisle asks.

Jones: This was passed by voters; it just needs clarified.

I have diagrams!

And renderings!

Young: If we measured it from the ramp, as code reads today, how high would it be?

Staff: You'd only be allowed to go to 58 feet, if you measure from the ramp.

Brockett: I appreciate you bringing this to us.
Staff: I apologize for it being last-minute.
Jones: That's a good reason, though. We're trying to get tax credits. That's a good reason for an emergency.

Weaver: It's pretty clear our height limit at 55 ft would not include this ramp. The other side (of the building) is 55 ft.

The college kids who were here for a class assignment are leaving. One of them took copious notes; another doodled and surfed the internet (to be fair, she looked up BI, Inc., too) and I think one was sleeping. #childrenarethefuture

OK, I'mma wrap THIS thread and start a new one for the next thing, whatever it is.

@threadreaderapp please unroll. Thank you!