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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Don't be a Solar Bully! </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Have the
homeowner file for the Zoning Waiver so it gets on the City Council (or whatever
body) agenda ASAP. Flapping your arms and being disgusted with the Planning
folks ain't gonna get your project online.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I don't think we should automatically assume that the
building/planning department is being evil and call in the AG to "set them
straight". Maybe if you never want to have a decent working relationship in that
town again... I would use honey, not donuts, to sniff out what their main
objection is. If it turns out that it's really just an "architectural
preference" issue, then you can deal with it thru the Solar Rights angle. If
it's a genuine Public Safety issue, then deal with it. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>It could very
well be that it is simply a procedural step... There is a
building-height ordinance after all. If you want to do something that is
outside the boundaries of the ordinance, then you need to apply for a waiver or
seek to modify the ordinance. Civics 101. This doesn't have to be a stressful
thing!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I have successfully applied for and received several
zoning waivers and exemptions on behalf of property owners over the
years. Yes, it's an extra step and, yes, it can be frustrating. Yes, it can cost
the property owner some extra bucks. Yes, it can take months to go thru the
process. Yes, it is VERY doable! Be sure to charge the homeowner for your
time.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>One example that the AHJ might cite relative Public Safety is
Fire Department capabilities. Small communities generally do not have the
broadest selection of fire-fighting equipment on hand... Taller ladders,
etc.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
class=406304917-26022010></SPAN> </DIV></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>In this case, I would pre-empt the hearing process by
checking in with the Fire Chief ASAP. Based on the description provided, I
suspect that the Fire Chief will determine that the extra height won't be an
issue since the height to access and walking levels are unchanged. (S)he might
have an opinion relative the arrangement of the roof mounted equipment <EM>(see
Cal-Fire document....),</EM> which you can work to accommodate. If you can
achieve the support of the Public Safety officials, your path to success will be
much smoother and more certain. Make damned sure you have this endorsement when
the first hearing comes around! This and a copy of the Solar Rights Law should
be sufficient to get it approved quickly. If you don't have either of these when
the hearing comes around, you just might be denied or delayed further. Look
smart. Be prepared. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I would also have the owner double-check their homeowner's
insurance policy as a precaution. I've seen clauses like, <EM>"Common to the
surroundings"</EM> before. If your project on their property creates a situation
where their property is no longer "common to the surroundings", and they have a
casualty, and you didn't warn them.....</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Good Luck!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406304917-26022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Solar Janitor</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>William
Miller<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 25, 2010 10:27 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
RE-wrenches<BR><B>Subject:</B> [RE-wrenches] Solar rights
precedent<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Friends:<BR><BR>We are applying for a building permit in a small
coastal community near here for a PV system. The arrays will be on the
flat roof of a house that is right up against the allowable building
height. The city is requiring that we apply for a waiver to exceed the
allowed height. As I read California law, it allows public agencies to
rule on a permit application only in regards to public safety and health
issues. Repeated letters to the city attorney has failed to result in how
a building height limitation is a mater of public health and safety.<BR><BR>Have
any of you successfully fought a building department on this issue? If so,
is there any written documentation on the issue that I can use?<BR><BR>Thanks in
advance,<BR><BR>William Miller<BR><BR><BR><X-SIGSEP>
<P></X-SIGSEP><FONT size=3><U>Please note new e-mail address and
domain:<BR><BR></U>William Miller <BR>Miller Solar<BR>Voice
:805-438-5600<BR>email: william@millersolar.com<BR><A
href="http://millersolar.com/"
eudora="autourl">http://millersolar.com<BR></A>License No.
C-10-773985<BR></FONT></P></BODY></HTML>