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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Robin Hood would tend to agree with
Mr. Lafferty [except for the Solar Bully part]. Robin Hood is a
<U>diplomat</U>. This approach spelled out below is also cheaper than
wasting costly arrows anyway. </FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=gilligan06@gmail.com href="mailto:gilligan06@gmail.com">Matt
Lafferty</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">'RE-wrenches'</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, February 26, 2010 12:41
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar rights
precedent</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<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>
<P>
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