City Council

(13) 23-0141 PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a report with an evaluation of recommendations to streamline and improve the ground mounted solar permitting and approval process found under Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) 12.24.U.7 (Conditional Use Permits), in consideration of the Council Directed LA100 decarbonization and renewable energy objectives; an analysis of the California Solar Rights Act and subsequent legislation that has improved it; and, related matters. Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Blumenfield - Krekorian - Park - Yaroslavsky):​ DIRECT the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), in consultation with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the City Attorney, to prepare a report with an evaluation of recommendations to streamline and improve the ground mounted solar permitting and approval process found under LAMC 12.24.U.7 (Conditional Use Permits), in consideration of the Council Directed LA100 decarbonization and renewable energy objectives; and that this report include recommendations for an administrative process usable for the majority of structures solely supporting solar energy systems not otherwise permitted, and where appropriate require the conditional use permit process in order to protect all housing development, especially affordable and low income housing, trees and native plants, limit reductions in open space, while protecting wildlife corridors and hillside communities. DIRECT the DCP and the LADBS, with the assistance of the LADWP, to include within the reports, an analysis of the California Solar Rights Act and subsequent legislation that has improved it. REQUEST the LADWP to include in the report, history and background on the California Solar Rights Act, focusing on current and future solar incentives such as Net Energy Metering and the impacts on utility rates for low-income communities as access to solar energy increases throughout Los Angeles; this report should include recommendations that mitigate and provide options to absorb rate increases and costs related to solar energy systems. REQUEST the LADWP to include in the report whether increasing access to solar energy will increase utility bills in the future; and programs that the LADWP can develop/implement to mitigate this impact; and/or State/Federal grants that can absorb any increases in costs.