AgdaPkt 2020-09-21 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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9.A. - Page 30 of 34 electric appliances would need to be installed. For context, the cost to construct an ADU in Redwood City ranges between $40,000 and $300,000. Over the past few years, the state has sought to reduce barriers and streamline development of ADUs/JADUs to help increase the housing supply. Additionally, state regulations governing ADUs and JADUs continue to evolve and it is unclear if the state may make revisions to the Energy Code relaxing certain requirements. For example, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Assembly had considered exempting ADUs/JADUs from the Energy Code requirement to install solar energy panels. Campbell, Cupertino, Hayward, Pacifica, Palo Alto, and Santa Cruz have adopted similar exceptions. Resources are readily available for applicants interested in all -electric construction. In addition to PCE's free technical assistance, the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust of San Mateo County has created the Green and Livable Accessory Dwelling Unit Resource (GLADUR). GLADUR offers free designs for green all -electric ADU designs. Information on GLADUR's free designs is available at www.heartofsmcadu.org Staff recommends adopting Exception 7 to encourage the construction of ADUs/JADUs towards relieving the housing shortage. Though all -electric ADUs/JADUs may not be a requirement there are significant resources, such as free designs or technical assistance, supporting all -electric construction. Staff believe these resources will help incentivize construction of all -electric ADUs/JADUs. Exception 8 —If an applicant maintains that circumstances exist that make it infeasible for their building to be an all -electric building, the applicant may request an exception in writing. In requesting an exception, the burden is on the applicant to identify why the requirements for an all -electric building are infeasible and must submit any information, as requested by the Building Official or their designee, substantiating the infeasibility. All costs associated with the City's review of the infeasibility request will be charged to the applicant. The final determination of infeasibility shall be made by the Building Official or their Designee. If the exception is granted, the Building Official or their designee shall document their findings in the files of the Building Division. • An all -electric requirement may be considered infeasible if the energy efficiency measure is not physically possible due to specific site constraints. • Should this exception be adopted, staff will develop a process whereby infeasibility exceptions are evaluated by a qualified third party reviewer, and then submitted to the Building Official or their designee for final determination. • Berkeley, Burlingame, Cupertino, Hayward, Los Gatos, and Morgan Hill have this exception. Mountain View has a similar exception allowed through their existing Building Codes. • Staff recommends Exception 8 if there are physical constraints of the building site making the project infeasible. In certain cases, energy efficiency measures take up significant space due to the need for extra electrical transformers, water storage or other equipment. This exception would allow for natural gas alternatives. Exceptions - Not Recommended by Staff Though the Reach Code requirements may not be preferred by property owners for the following construction situations, staff found that there was available and comparable equipment, the main purpose of a building would not be impacted, or the energy efficiency measure was cost-effective as defined by the statewide cost-effectiveness studies. Additionally, in consulting PCE and BayREN, staff felt comfortable that design strategies and technologies would improve over time. Page 10 of 14 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcitV.org 132