TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Supervisor Williams
MEETING DATE: September 12, 2023
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Williams
PHONE:
707-937-3500
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 15 Minutes
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action to Direct County Counsel to Prepare an Urgency Ordinance and Declaration of Emergency or Alternative Regarding Climate Change and Exempt or Provide Waiver for Rooftop Solar Panels from Planning Review in All Zoning, Maintaining Building Permit Requirement; and Direct Staff to Author and Send a Letter Requesting the California Coastal Commission Reform Coastal Act Implementation to Exempt Solar Panels
(Sponsors: Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Gjerde)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Direct County Counsel to prepare an Urgency Ordinance and Declaration of Emergency or alternative regarding Climate Change and exempt or provide waiver for rooftop solar panels from planning review in all zoning, maintaining building permit requirement; and direct staff to author and send a letter requesting the California Coastal Commission Reform Coastal Act implementation to exempt Solar Panels.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
None.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
"Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning. The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
In light of the changing climate and questionable electric grid, it's imperative that we allow residents to install photovoltaic panels. At present, within the Coastal Zone, the process can require cost prohibitive Planning review, contrary to policy in Sonoma County. There is a strong public policy interest in waiving such review and simply requiring a building permit and compliance with state code. This change must be immediate and can be further reflected in the pending Local Coastal Plan update.
Counsel should prepare...
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