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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-070-13 Clarbgton REPORT PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: November 25, 2013 Resolution#: 1- By-law#: Report#: PSD-070-13 File#: GEA 2013-002, GEA 2013-003 Subject: REQUEST FOR COUNCIL SUPPORT RESOLUTIONS UNDER GREEN ENERGY ACT: ROOF-TOP SOLAR FIT PROJECTS AT 4532 HWY. 2 AND 9 NEWTONVILLE MILL ST., NEWTONVILLE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-070-13 be received; 2. THAT Council approve the resolutions contained in Attachments 1 and 2 supporting the FIT applications by Elizabeth Anne Stapleton and Stapleton Auctions, at 4532 Hwy 2 and 9 Newtonville Mill St., Newtonville; and 3. THAT all interested parties listed in Report PSD-070-13 be advised of Council's decision. Submitted by: 4�7z&� Reviewed David J. Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu, Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer KK/FL/sn/nl 18 November 2013 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 The FIT (feed-in tariff) and microFIT programs were created under the Green Energy Act 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 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. 2. REQUESTS FOR RESOLUTIONS 2.1 Two new requests under the FIT 3.0 program have recently been received seeking Council Resolutions in support of projects on abutting properties at 4532 Highway 2 and 9 Newtonville Mill Street, Newtonville. Figure 1 — Subject Sites Property Location Map(Newtonville) r N r Y.. Subject Sites JI 2 �Yli[5 CR FYLl;ir �,G _ 555 M1 'ES.AO _ ES_ 453-r .S J T A� f M GEA 2013-002&GEA 2013-003 o : Owners: o ., Elizabeth Anne Stapleton ;� &Stapleton Auctions REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 PAGE 3 2.2 4532 Highway 2, Newtonville 2.2.1 Proposal Simplistic Technologies, on behalf of the applicant/owner, Elizabeth Anne Stapleton, has requested Council support for a rooftop solar project at 4532 Highway 2, Newtonville (Figure 1). The project would have a nameplate capacity of 30kW of electricity generated by (120) 250 Watt modules, tilted at 30-35 degrees. 2.2.2 Comments The subject property is located at 4532 Highway 2, Newtonville. The property is zoned "Hamlet Commercial Exception (C3-2) Zone" and is being used as an auction place. The building is a primary heritage structure; it has the potential to be designated for its art deco architectural style and cultural history as a former BA station. The rooftop solar panels are proposed to cover most of the flat roof of the existing commercial auction building on the property. The panels will be tilted but the parapet wall will partially obstruct the view. The adaptive reuse of heritage properties and structures to maintain their viability is encouraged. 1 .111* y �A1T ALt flCAN DEALF1 iii SON _ 7M .� REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 PAGE 4 The following chart reviews the project against the checklist: Topic Description Strategic Plan The proposed project complies with the strategic plan's objectives Conformity of"Promoting green initiatives" and "Promoting economic development". Community Benefit The revenue from the rooftop solar project will contribute to the local economy as both the applicant and the solar developer are locally-owned and operated businesses. Financial Burden on None identified. Clarington Community Given the nature and size of this project, community consultation is Consultation not warranted under the provincial Renewable Energy Approvals process. Property Use Risk Project is being proposed on an existing commercial building and Mitigation does not constitute the primary use of the property. OP Policies This application is consistent with Official Plan policies. Zoning Regulations This application is consistent with Zoning By-law regulations. 2.3 9 Newtonville Mill St., Newtonville 2.3.1 Proposal Simplistic Technologies, on behalf of the applicant/owner, Stapleton Auctions, has requested Council support for a rooftop solar project at 9 Newtonville Mill St., Newtonville. (Figure 1) The project would have a nameplate capacity of 30kW of electricity generated by (120) 250 Watt modules. 2.3.2 Comments The subject property is located at 9 Newtonville Mill St., Newtonville. The property is zoned "Hamlet Commercial Exception (C3-2) Zone" and is being used as a storage facility for the auction business. The building is a primary heritage structure; it has the potential to be designated for its cultural history as a former grist mill. The rooftop solar panels are proposed to cover the entirety of the south facing side of the pitched roof of the existing commercial building on the property. The solar panels will be visible on the south side of the pitched roof. The adaptive reuse of heritage properties and structures to maintain their viability is encouraged. REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 PAGE 5 The following chart reviews the project against the checklist: Topic Description Strategic Plan The proposed project complies with the strategic plan's objectives Conformity of "Promoting green initiatives" and "Promoting economic development". Community Benefit The revenue from the rooftop solar project will contribute to the local economy as both the applicant and the solar developer are locally-owned and operated businesses. Financial Burden on None identified. Clarington Community Given the nature and size of this project, community consultation Consultation is not warranted under the provincial Renewable Energy Approvals process. Property Use Risk Project is being proposed on an existing commercial building and Mitigation does not constitute the primary use of the property. 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 resolutions for 4532 Highway 2 (Attachment 1) and 9 Newtonville Mill St. (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 Showcasing our community Not in conformity with Strategic Plan Staff Contact: Kristy Kilbourne, Contract Planner REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 PAGE 6 Attachments: Attachment 1 — Draft FIT Resolution, 4532 Highway 2, Newtonville Attachment 2 — Draft FIT Resolution, 9 Newtonville Mill St., Newtonville List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Imran Mohammed, Simplistic Technologies Elizabeth Stapleton ATTACHMENT 1 TO REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 I WHEREAS Elizabeth Anne Stapleton (the Applicant) proposes to construct and operate a rooftop solar array (the "Project") on 4532 Highway 2, Newtonville (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 FIT Rules, Version 3.0, 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 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. I I ATTACHMENT 2 TO REPORT NO.: PSD-070-13 WHEREAS Stapleton Auctions (the Applicant) proposes to construct and operate a rooftop solar array (the "Project") on 9 Newtonville Mill Street, Newtonville (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 FIT Rules, Version 3.0, 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 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. i