City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 6, 2023
Report #:2310-2104
TITLE
CONSENT: Second Reading of Electrification Equipment Ordinance adopted October 2, 2023 amending the Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) Chapters 18.04 (Definitions), 18.10 (Low-Density Residential), 18.12 (R-1 Zones), 18.13 (Multiple Family Residential Zones),18.40 (General Standards and Exceptions), and 18.54 (Parking Facilities Design Standards) and Title 9, Chapter 9.10 (Noise) to Further Facilitate the Installation of Electrification Equipment in Residential Neighborhoods. CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) and 15301.
RECOMMENDATION
This is the second reading of the Electrification Equipment Ordinance for Council approval on consent. The ordinance has been modified to include the City Council-directed revisions of October 2, 2023.
BACKGROUND
On October 2, 2023, City Council adopted the Electrification Ordinance on first reading. The motion, made by Council Member Burt, seconded by Council Member Veenker, and passed on a 6-1 vote (Lythcott-Haims recused) to adopt the ordinance recommended by staff and the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), with the following modifications and direction:
1. Increase the base noise standards by 3 decibels for all heat pumps, and by 5 decibels for heat pumps with inverters, and to create a comprehensive list of heat pump equipment.
2. Direct staff to evaluate the following for future refinements to the ordinance:
a. Evaluate allowing units with higher manufactured dB ratings provided that the sound is attenuated,
b. Explore the streamline testing protocol for nonstandard equipment, and c. The Development Center receives this information as soon as possible to disseminate for anyone looking at heat pumps or other HVAC equipment.
The attached ordinance (Attachment A) has been updated to reflect the Council’s direction, with the addition of two columns to Table 1 for inverter pumps and increased decibels in all
four columns (3 dBA for non-inverter equipment, and 5 dBA for inverter equipment) and other non-substantive clarifications.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
This action to approve the Electrification Equipment Ordinance has no fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) and 15301.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Ordinance for Second Reading Incorporating City Council’s Revisions APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director