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Home My WebLink AboutSpecial 2013-09-09 Comprehensive Plan - Attachment B4 - UtilitiesUTILITIES Comprehensive Plan Update Comments from July 2013 Work Sessions Issue (highlighted in underline where possible) Comment Date /Source Staff comment/analysis /options Concern /Issue Area /Polic 1 Graphics —Maps hard to read. Change colors for greater contrast and ease of reading. Robertson 7/31 We will revise the maps using a different color palette. 2 New policy requested: Support the City's position in dealing with Puget Sound Energy regarding the natural gas franchise, public improvements and the role in public improvements. Robertson 7/31 Request clarification of Council intent 3 12.1.18 (formatted) "Give priority to residential neighborhoods for city - planned utility improvements and extensions in order to improve and sustain their quality and livability." Reword to reflect more "subtle" approach...Not just single family residential vs commercial, but also new projects vs repair and maintenance, and generally balancing investment. Robertson and Hougardy 7/31 Work Session Request additional guidance from Council- - i.e. Is the intent to acknowledge the importance of good and available utilities in residential neighborhoods as a way to ensure neighborhood livability, or is the intent to give priority to residential neighborhoods over other parts of the city? 4 RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS • New policy in utilities element (12.1.xx SOUL) states: "Give priority to residential neighborhoods for city - planned utility improvements and extensions in order to improve and sustain their quality and livability." It appears that this policy would suggest a lower priority for serving new development and Tukwila's regional growth and manufacturing /industrial centers. It would be helpful to describe in the element how this prioritization would not be to the detriment of the city's regional growth and manufacturing /industrial centers (i.e. there will be sufficient resources to support both the centers and existing residential neighborhoods). Comment letter from Yorik Stevens -Wadja of PSRC (8/6/13) (SEE ABOVE) Request additional guidance from Council. If the policy is desired, staff recommends adding explanatory wording to address the PSRC comment, as follows: Utilities in the residential neighborhoods have been significantely improved over the past 20 years. Maintenance and new facilities for these areas is largely complete, and remaining needs have been factored into the Capital Improvement Program, as have requirements for improvements in the Southcenter /Tukwila Urban Center area, and the Manufacturing Industrial Center. 5 NEW Renewable Energy Generation Goal 12.1.43 Actively support the use of local, renewable energy generation techniques for both residential and commercial Tukwila properties with the goal of generating 5.5% of total City electricity use by the year 2025 from a combination of rooftop solar power, solar water heating, and utility scale solar power. Robertson, CC Worksession 7/31/13 Tukwila consumers have access to electrical energy derived from hydropower,but there are challenges for securing long -term reliable energy and for becoming more energy efficient. Consistent with CPP: EN -19 Promote energy efficiency, conservation methods and sustainable energy sources to support climate change reduction goals PF -14 Reduce the rate of energy consumption through efficiency and conservation as a means to lower energy costs and mitigate environmental impacts associated with traditional energy supplies. PF -15 Promote the use of renewable and alternative energy resources to help meet the county's long -term energy needs, reduce environmental impacts associated with traditional energy supplies, and increase community sustainability. RECOMMENDATION: Include a local generation goal. Consider expanding this goal to express goals for energy consumption that include both local generation and conservation. NEW GOAL: Actively support the use of local, renewable energy generation techniques for both residential and commercial Tukwila properties with the goal of generating 5.5% of total City electricity use by the year 2025 from a combination of rooftop solar power, solar water heating, and utility scale solar power NEW GOAL: Actively support conservation techniques and programs for both residential and commercial Tukwila properties with the goal of reducing 25% of the total City electricity use by the year 2025. Page 1 of 3 UTILITIES Comprehensive Plan Update Comments from July 2013 Work Sessions Issue (highlighted in underline where possible) Comment Date /Source Staff comment/analysis /options Concern /Issue Area /Polic 6 Implementation Strategies (Renewable Energy): 1) Support the enabling of third -party financing to lower the CM Robertson, CC work session RECOMMENDATION: Consolidate these implementation strategies to address supportive actions, i.e.: upfront cost of solar PV for consumers and businesses. This is where the solar electricity company installs the rooftop solar 7/31 & 8/27 Support regional, state, federal initiatives and programs that encourage local renewable energy production such as: panels at little or no cost to property owners, retains ownership of the panels, and provides the electricity to the property owner. 1) Third -party financing to lower upfront costs of solar panels; 2) Incentive programs for rooftop solar systems; 3) Expanded opportunities for net metering; 4) Establish feed -in tariff programs; 2) Support renewing and expanding state and federal incentive programs for rooftop solar power systems. 5) Net -zero energy building code statewide; 6) Expanded opportunities for net - metering through raising net - metering cap statewide 3) Support expanding opportunities for net metering by raising the net metering cap statewide to a minimum of 5% of the utility peak aggregate demand. Net metering basically requires utilities to credit customers who produce solar electricity at the OPTION: In addition to consolidating the implementation strategies above, consider adding local actions to support local energy generation over which Tukwila has greater control, including amendments to development codes: retail rate for every kilowatt -hour they produce. 1) Exempt solar panels and wind turbines from maximum height standards 4) Support establishing a feed -in tariff program for large solar energy systems to encourage development of commercial- scale solar installations. 2) Allow the creation of solar access easements; 3) Streamlined permit process for alternative energy production projects, including waiving permit fees; 5) Support eliminating some siting restrictions for community solar projects that stop solar projects in local government owned property, schools, churches or other non - profit 4) Develop incentives to encourage local electrial generation and conservation projects. Additional actions could include: organizations. 1) Make City properties available for community solar access or pilot programs; 6) Additional implementation strategies relating to local electricity generation through solar and conservation 2) Install solar panels on existing City properties such as TCC and Golf Course 3) Prioritize installing solar panels at new City facilities; 7) Support the state creating a net -zero energy building code. (new impl. Strategy) 4) Use franchise agreements to leverage electric utilties actions re solar and renewable power, including expanded programs and plan. 7 NEW Implementation Strategies (Renewable Energy): 1) Support the enabling of third -party financing to lower the CM Robertson, CC work session RECOMMENDATION: Consolidate these proposed implementation strategies to address supportive actions, i.e.: upfront cost of solar PV for consumers and businesses. This is where the solar electricity company installs the rooftop solar 7/32 Support regional, state, federal initiatives and programs that encourage local renewable energy production such as: panels at little or no cost to property owners, retains ownership of the panels, and provides the electricity to the property owner. 1) Third -party financing to lower upfront costs of solar panels; 2) Incentive programs for rooftop solar systems; 3) Expanded opportunities for net metering; 4) Establish feed -in tariff programs; 2) Support renewing and expanding state and federal incentive programs for rooftop solar power systems. 5) Net -zero energy building code statewide; 6) Expanded opportunities for net - metering through raising net - metering cap statewide 3) Support expanding opportunities for net metering by raising the net metering cap statewide to a minimum of 5% of the utility peak aggregate demand. Net metering basically requires utilities to credit customers who produce solar electricity at the retail rate for every kilowatt -hour they produce. OPTION: In addition to consolidating the implementation strategies above, consider adding local actions to support local energy generation over which Tukwila has greater control, including amendments to development codes: 4) Support establishing a feed -in tariff program for large solar energy systems to encourage development of commercial- scale solar installations. 5) Support eliminating some siting restrictions for community solar projects that stop solar projects in local government owned property, schools, churches or other non - profit 1) Exempt solar panels and wind turbines from maximum height standards 2) Allow the creation of solar access easements; 3) Streamlined permit process for alternative energy production projects, including waiving permit fees; Additional actions could include: organizations. 1) Make City properties available for community solar access or pilot programs; 6) Additional implementation strategies relating to local electricity generation through solar and conservation 2) Install solar panels on existing City properties such as TCC and Golf Course 3) Prioritize installing solar panels at new City facilities; 7) Support the state creating a net -zero energy building code. (new impl. Strategy) 4) Use franchise agreements to leverage electric utilties actions re solar and renewable power, including expanded programs and plan. 8 WATER UTILITY -- Implementation Strategy : Implement a wanter line replacement /enhancement program for deficient single - family residential areas. D. Robertson, 8/27 Vague discussion of deficiencies in in single - family residential areas... RECOMMENDATION- -Add wording for greater specificity: Implement a wanter line replacement/enhancement program for deficient single - family residential areas as documented in the Comprehensive Water Plan. Page 2 of 3 UTILITIES Comprehensive Plan Update Comments from July 2013 Work Sessions Issue (highlighted in underline where possible) Comment Date /Source Staff comment/analysis /options Concern /Issue Area /Polic 9 SURFACE WATER UTILITY -- /(12.1.25 FORMATTED (12.1.23 SOUL)Require on -site detention or retention and treatment of surface water for both development and redevelopment projects, unless a regional facility benefiting a drainage basin is constructed or storage is provided in the Green /Duwamish River for previously treated surface water. - -What does this mean? CM Robertson, CC work session 7/31 & 8/27 For the most part, water will be detained or retained on site, except in situations where there may be direct discharge into the Duwamish River, or in Tukwila South where the Segale Company is planning area -wide development, and will provide a regional facility. New wording suggested to clariify -- Require on -site detention or retention and treatment of surface water for both development and redevelopment projects, unless a regional facility benefiting a drainage basin is constructed or storage is provided in the Green /Duwamish River for previously treated surface water as documented in the Surface Water Comprehensive Plan. 10 SURFACE WATER UTILITY:12.1.29 (FORMATTED) SOUL New implementation strategy requested K. Kruller ( 7)7/31 Implementation strategy already recommended : Investigate programs that provide financial incentives through the Surface Water Utility to property owners who maintain or enhance the tree canoov. 11 SURFACE WATER UTILITY:Wording change requested: (Implementation strategy for Surface Water Utilty) Develop mechanisms to imprpove the frequency of surface water facility inspections and increase enforcement. D. Robertson, 7/31 and 8/27 The concern was that funding was not provided to carry out inspections, etc.. Suggested editing /rewording: "Adequately fund surface water facility inspections and enforcement, ", 12 ELECTRIC UTILITY: Policy 12.1.45: Where feasible, work with electric utility providers to limit trimming of trees and other vegetation to tht which is necessary for the safety and maintenance of transmission lines and according to American national Standards Institute (ANSI) professional arboricultural specifications and standards. PSE suggests adding "and other professional arbiricultural organizations" to the end of Policy 12.1.45. Andy Padvorac, Puget Sound Energy, 8/12/13 Staff does not object to the addition of this language, however, ANSI standards are the acceptable standard and other professional organization standards would be consulted and /or used if ANSI did not have guidance on a particular issue. 13 ELECTRIC UTILITY: Policy 12.1.45: Where feasible, work with electric utility providers to limit trimming of trees and other vegetation to tht which is necessary for the safety and maintenance of transmission lines and according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) professional arboricultural sepcification and standards; and Policy 12.1.46: Perform vegetation management that is needed in utility rights -of -way that are located in sensitive areas or shoreline areas, in a manner that will maintain, restore or improve the shoreline or sensitive area ecological function. PSE suggests moving these two policies to the Natural Environment Element with a general policy about vegetation in the Utilities Element. Andy Padvorac, Puget Sound Energy, 8/12/13 Staff concurs with the recommendation to move both policies to the Natural Environment Element. Rather than add a general policy on vegetation to the Utilities Element, staff recommends adding a sentence to the text referring readers to the Natural Environment Element for policy guidance on utilities and vegetation. Page 3 of 3