Vice Mayor Shimoni asked about adjusting the EV ready spaces to a percentage of spaces when the total parking spaces exceeds 100. Currently only three spaces are required for a lot that has 100 or more spaces. He recommended shifting to a two percent requirement for the larger lots instead of a fixed number. Climate and Energy Specialist Jenny Neiman stated that the fixed number of three EV ready spaces for lots of 100 or more was based on an evaluation of best practices around the country. The recommendation focuses on getting a smaller number of EV charging stations installed in more places throughout the community which is why the requirement is actually heavier for smaller developments. Staff’s recommendation is to keep the requirement fixed at three spaces for lots of 100 or more. Vice Mayor Shimoni noted his concern that developers will only do the minimum requirement and he would prefer a more progressive approach. Councilmember Salas asked if there was a reason given for why the County did not include the additional energy efficiency requirements in their code. Ms. Neiman indicated that the blower door and duct testing were not included for a number of reasons but one of them is because of the geographic range of the county and it is difficult to get those service out to those areas. Joe Galli on behalf of the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce addressed Council with concerns about the additional costs associated with the new codes. There is concern that it will further inhibit affordability in Flagstaff. Councilmember McCarthy stated that he is sensitive to adding cost to new housing however the total cost of housing is related to utility usage and it is cost effective to provide energy efficiency capabilities on the front end rather than retrofit later. Mayor Evans indicated that she is not supportive of adding to the cost of new housing. People in Flagstaff are just trying to get into a home and this is one more hurdle in the overall expense. Councilmember Whelan stated that she is looking down the road and these additions to the code are the proper way to proceed to decrease the carbon footprint of Flagstaff. There are many factors that go into the cost of housing including realtor fees, developer fees, heating fees, etc. and if everyone was willing to give a little the cost could be lowered. Councilmember Aslan noted that these inclusions do not mandate that people get a certain type of car or install solar panels on their house, it is making the house ready for those improvements if, and when, a homeowner decides to install them. If a house is equipped and ready for these improvements the homeowner may be more likely to consider an electric vehicle or solar improvements. Councilmember Salas stated that she does not feel that these elements need to be required in the code. Developers and homeowners are already including them voluntarily and perhaps incentivizing the installation is a better approach. Councilmember Aslan added that these elements directly support the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan which the Council unanimously supported. This is an opportunity to combat climate change and make a difference. |
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Moved by Vice Mayor Adam Shimoni, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to adopt Resolution No. 2019-26 with the amendment of 2% EV ready spaces for 100 plus parking spaces. | |||||||||||||
Vote: 3 - 4 | |||||||||||||
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Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Charlie Odegaard to adopt Resolution No. 2019-26. | |||||||||||||
Vote: 5 - 2 | |||||||||||||
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Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Charlie Odegaard to read Ordinance No. 2019-16 by title only for the final time. | |||||||||||||
Vote: 5 - 2 | |||||||||||||
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AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, ADOPTING THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED “THE 2018 SUITE OF CODES AND THE 2019 AMENDMENTS TO CITY CODE, TITLE 4, BUILDING REGULATIONS” BY REFERENCE AND FIXING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CODES AND AMENDMENTS; REPEALING ALL SECTIONS OF THE CITY CODE IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; PRESERVING RIGHTS AND DUTIES THAT HAVE ALREADY MATURED AND PROCEEDINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEGUN UNDER THE PRIOR CODES; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY | |||||||||||||
Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Charlie Odegaard moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2019-16. | |||||||||||||
Vote: 5 - 2 | |||||||||||||
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