[Ord. 663, 6/20/1985, § 701]
In an effort to promote energy efficient subdivision and land
development techniques that facilitate the use of alternative renewable
energy sources such as solar energy and to reduce the dependence on
nonrenewable energy sources, the Borough Council herein offers an
alternative to the standard subdivision and land development provisions
contained in this Chapter.
[Ord. 663, 6/20/1985, § 702]
Refers to the relationship of a building's longest axis
to true south. Optimal building orientation occurs when the building's
longest axis is east to west (90° from true south), with variations
of up to 25° from the east/west axis being acceptable.
A graphic representation of shadows cast by mature landscaping,
screening, and structures plotted with regard to topography, slope,
and direction at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m. on the date of the
winter solstice.
Radiant energy (direct, diffuse or reflected) received from
the sun at wavelengths suitable for conversion into thermal, chemical,
or electrical energy.
Any device, structure or part of a device or structure which
is used primarily to transform solar energy into thermal, chemical,
or electrical energy, including any space or structural component
specifically designed to retain heat derived from solar energy.
A complete design or assembly consisting of a solar energy
collector, an energy storage facility (where appropriate) and components
for the distribution of transformed energy to the extent that they
cannot be used jointly with a conventional energy system. Passive
solar energy systems which use the natural properties of materials
and architectural components to collect and store solar energy without
using any external mechanical power are included in this definition
if they do not fulfill structural or other functions.
A subdivision or land development plan as defined in Part 2 of this Chapter with a minimum of 25% of all lots or structures oriented for solar access purposes as specified in § 703(1) of this Chapter.
The space between a given location and the sun which must
remain unobstructed between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. mean solar time
on the date of the winter solstice in order to permit sufficient solar
energy to impinge on that location to allow efficient solar utilization.
A right, expressed as an easement, covenant or condition
or other property interest in any deed or other instrument executed
by or on behalf of any landlord which protects the solar sky space
of an actual, proposed or designated solar energy collector at a described
location by forbidding or limiting activities or land uses that interfere
with access to solar energy. The solar skyspace may be described as
a three-dimensional space in which an obstruction is prohibited or
limited, or as the times of day during which direct sunlight to the
solar energy collector may not be obstructed, or as a combination
of the two methods.
[Ord. 663, 6/20/1985, § 703]
1.
General Statement. For solar access purposes, all subdivisions and
land developments shall be designed so that a minimum of 25% of all
lots or structures receive unobstructed sunlight on the south side
of the lot or the south wall of the longest axis of the structure
of building.
2.
Sketch Plan. The same standards shall be required for a solar-oriented
plan as specified in § 302 of this Chapter.
3.
Preliminary Plan. The same standards shall be required for a solar-oriented
plan as specified in § 303 of this Chapter.
4.
Final Plan. The same standards shall be required for a solar-oriented
plan as specified in § 304 of this Chapter.
5.
Final Plan Recordation. The same standards shall be required of a
solar-oriented plan as specified in § 305 of this Chapter.
6.
Waiver of Requirements. The same standards shall be required of a
solar-oriented plan as specified in § 308 of this Chapter.
[Ord. 663, 6/20/1985, § 704]
1.
Sketch Plan. The same standards shall be required of a solar-oriented
plan as specified in § 402 of this Chapter.
2.
Preliminary Plan. The same standards shall be required of a solar-oriented
plan as specified in § 403 of this Chapter with the additional
information listed below also being required to be shown on the plan:
A.
True north arrow.
B.
Proposed number and location of all lots having the capability of
providing proper building orientation for the use of solar energy
systems.
C.
Location of proposed solar skyspace easements and open space areas
intended to remain undeveloped in order to protect solar access to
proposed building sites.
D.
The limits of any areas of tree removal necessary to provide effective
use of solar energy systems and the identification of predominant
tree types in those areas.
E.
A shadow analysis showing the location of existing trees and new
trees and screening, and shadows cast by proposed structures and nature
landscaping at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m. on the date of the winter
solstice. Shadows shall be plotted with regard to topography, slope
and direction.
F.
The Borough Council may require the submission of additional data
as necessary to assure that adequate provision has been made in the
planning and design of the subdivision or land development to enable
the maximum effective use of solar energy systems.
3.
Final Plan. The same standards shall be required of a solar-oriented
plan as specified in § 404 of this Chapter with the additional
information listed below also being required to be shown on the plan:
A.
True north arrow.
B.
Delineation of solar skyspace easements and open space areas required
to remain undeveloped to protect solar access to building sites.
C.
As a condition of final plan approval, the applicant may be required
to provide solar skyspace easements or restrictive covenants with
deeds of the lots in a subdivision or buildings in a land development
to guarantee solar access protection.
[Ord. 663, 6/20/1985, § 705]
The same standards shall be required of a solar-oriented plan as specified in Part 5 of this Chapter.
[Ord. 663, 6/20/1985, § 706]
The same standards shall be required of a solar-oriented plan
as specified in Part six of this Chapter with the following provisions
being included as additional standards for the solar-oriented portion,
or portions, of the plan:
A.
Insofar as possible, streets on which structures are proposed to
front shall be oriented along an east-west axis with maximum deviations
permitted up to 25°; provided that such orientations are feasible
based on soil and slope conditions and are a practical means of providing
safe and convenient access and circulation.
B.
Side lot lines shall, so far as practical, run from due north to
south where the resulting angle of incidence with the street is not
less than 30°. A variation of up to 25° east or west of the
north/south axis is permitted.
C.
Buildings shall be oriented such that their longest axis faces within
25° of true south whenever lot size, street orientation, soil,
and slope conditions make this practical.
D.
Solar skyspace easements shall be in writing and shall be subject
to the same conveyancing and instrument recording requirements as
other easements. Any such easements shall be appurtenant; shall run
with the land benefited and burdened; and shall be defined and limited
by conditions stated in the instrument of conveyance. Instruments
creating a solar skyplace easement shall include but not be limited
to:
(1)
A permanently identifiable description of the skyspace above
the burdened land into which trees, buildings and/or other obstruction
as specified by the easement shall not be permitted to encroach;
(2)
Any terms or conditions under which the solar skyspace easement
is granted or will be terminated; and,
(3)
Any provision for compensation by the owner of the land benefiting
from the solar skyspace easement, or compensation of the owner of
the land burdened by the solar skyspace easement for maintaining the
easement.
E.
The installation of all improvements shall, within the limits of
practicability and feasibility, be oriented to maximize the solar
access to buildings constructed thereon.
F.
Where recreation space is being provided, it shall be located in
such a manner that allows maximum practical solar access to neighboring
structures.
G.
The location and species of trees and other landscaping elements
shall be such that when grown to full maturity shall not impede solar
access to neighboring structures.
H.
Where open space in being provided, it shall be located, wherever
possible, to provide a buffer from the shading effects of taller structures
or obstructions on existing or proposed shorter buildings.
I.
Landscaping shall be designed, installed, and maintained with the
aim of allowing as great a portion of the site to remain or become
wooded without adversely affecting the availability of solar access
to the south.
|
Whenever conflicting provisions prevail, the Borough Council,
upon recommendation of the Borough Planning Commission, will determine
which standard will be adhered to in each such instance.
|
