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Home My WebLink AboutPSD-056-12A 4;Lol :Vi Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: December 10, 2012 Resolution #: l By -law #: Report#: PSD- 056 -12 File #: GEA 2012 -0007 SUBJECT: APPLICATIONS UNDER THE FIT AND MICRO -FIT PROGRAM OF THE GREEN ENERGY ACT 2009 RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: THAT Report PSD- 056 -12 be received; 2. THAT Council approve the resolution contained in Attachment 2 supporting the FIT application by Saturn Solar LP I on behalf of 1596451 Ontario Ltd., 3520 Highway 35/115, Newcastle; and 3. THAT all interested parties listed in Report PSD- 056 -12 be advised of Council's decision. Submitted by: David . Crome, �MCIP., RPP Director of Planning Services KK/FL /df /av 4 December 2012 Reviewed bye �� F Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905 - 623 -3379 REPORT NO.: PSD-056-12 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 As Council is aware the Green Energy Act of 2009 was created to support and encourage the expansion of renewable energy sources, support energy conservation and facilitate the expansion of the green energy job market. The FIT (feed-in tariff) and microFIT programs were created under this legislation, and are meant to support small and large scale clean energy generation projects which will feed such energy back into the Ontario electrical grid, with the electricity generated paid for by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). Through these programs, OPA enters into contracts with property owners and businesses to purchase the energy produced. 1.2 Staff report PSD-040-12, considered by Committee in September advised how the FIT program was revised earlier this year with the new rules coming into force August 10, 2012. FIT applications are now reviewed based on a point system. A Council resolution supporting a proposed FIT application has greater chance of being accepted by the OPA. A new application under the revised FIT program has recently been received seeking a Council resolution in support of the proposal. 2. APPLICATION 2.1 Saturn Solar 2.1.1 Proposal Saturn Solar LP I has requested Council support for a rooftop solar project at 3520 Highway 35/115, Newcastle. This property is currently being farmed and has had apple trees planted within the last two years. The rooftop solar panels are proposed to cover the entire roof of the existing building used for apple storage, as well as a proposed addition to this building. The project would have a nameplate capacity of 150kW of electricity generated by 584- 250 Watt modules, tilted 20 degrees. 2.1.2 Comments The property owned by 1596451 Ontario Ltd. is on the west side of Highway 115/35 south of Concession Road 4. The property is zoned "Agricultural Exception (A-1)" and is being used as an apple farm. The property has an existing building which is proposed to be used for the roof mounted solar panels, as well as a proposed addition which will also be used for the roof mounted solar panels. The following chart reviews the project against the checklist identified in report PSD-040-12 which provided the background on changes to the FIT and microFIT programs. REPORT NO.: PSD-056-12 PAGE 3 Topic Description Strategic Plan Conformity The proposed project complies with the Strategic Plan's objective of "Promoting green initiatives" and "Promoting economic development". Community Benefit Although no specific community benefit was identified as part of the application, the revenue from the rooftop solar units will assist in ensuring the existing agricultural operation remains viable. Financial Burden on None identified. Clarington Community Consultation Given the location and size of this project community consultation is not warranted. Property Use Risk Project is being proposed on an existing farm building, Mitigation as well as a proposed addition to this building. The owner of the property has recently obtained approval from the Committee of Adjustment (A2012-0063) to permit the construction of this addition to the existing building by reducing the minimum required northerly interior side yard setback from 15 metres to 3 metres. OP Policies This application is consistent with Official Plan policies. Zoning Regulations This application is consistent with Zoning By-law regulations. 3. CONCURRENCE — Not Applicable 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 Staff recommend that the Resolution for Saturn Solar LP I (Attachment 2) be endorsed by Council. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: x Promoting economic development Maintaining financial stability Connecting Clarington x Promoting green initiatives Investing in infrastructure riShowcasing our community Not in conformity with Strategic Plan Staff Contact: Kristy Kilbourne, Planner (,_Special Projects Branch. REPORT NO.: PSD-056-12 PAGE 4 Attachments: Attachment 1 - Key Map Attachment 2 - Draft FIT Resolution List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision: Saturn Solar c/o Lauryn Ostermaier 1596451 Ontario Ltd., c/o Stephen Lennox Attachment 1 To Report PSD-056-12 m 2 as=1v33ow d 1s anHIHV -p of J N ls�iw=Q� ? AH:SlkB_S£ L1;(18=IVNOIJ38=1S HlONJL 0—( � N � = Z z 7 o l� N 3 Li L T oaa aoonnn-13a �, —z W N W LO z z CD M M 0 LU w z cv 7y. _ N O M 0- CL it*PAN** -- --- -- ---- r / — 4s- 40P r 1 i .. S Y K V tr...� y A G M � S Attachment 2 To Report PSD-056-12 WHEREAS Saturn Solar LP I (the applicant) proposes to construct and operate a rooftop solar array (the "Project") on a farm storage building at 3520 Highway 35/115, Newcastle (the "Lands") in the Municipality of Clarington under the Province's FIT Program; AND WHEREAS the Applicant has requested that Council of the Municipality of Clarington indicate by resolution Council's support for the construction and operation of the Project on the Property; AND WHEREAS, pursuant to the rules governing the FIT Program (the "FIT Rules"), Applications whose Projects receive the formal support of Local Municipalities will be awarded Priority Points, which may result in the Applicant being offered a FIT Contract prior to other persons applying for FIT Contracts; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council of the Municipality of Clarington supports without reservation the construction and operation of the Project on the Lands. This resolution's sole purpose is to enable the Applicant to receive Priority Points under the FIT Program and may not be used for the purpose of any other form of municipal approval in relation to the Application or Project or any other purpose.