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40 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 1 have been in regular dialogue with Mr Harvey from planning for the last 4-5 years <br /> 3 regarding impervious surface restrictions in our community. I very much welcome that <br /> 4 the board is now looking into potentially amending the ordinance to allow for storm water <br /> 5 harvesting systems as a way to allow credits on impervious surface. I would like to ask <br /> 6 your support and approval for this change, as it would be very helpful allowing us to <br /> 7 have a bigger parking lot and additional garage space as our kids grow up and get their <br /> 8 own cars. I have a 10 acre property with only 1.8% allowed impervious surface causing <br /> 9 us lots of headaches. For instance each time we get a delivery truck to come down with <br /> 10 a package, chances are high our landscaped lawn gets ripped up because there is not <br /> 11 enough space to turn around. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 When considering these changes in the UDO, please try to find a reasonable way to <br /> 14 achieve a balance between the county's need for continued proper functioning of the <br /> 15 storm water harvesting systems, and the initial cost and maintenance on the properties <br /> 16 owner part. If the burden becomes too high, then no one will implement these systems <br /> 17 and storm water run off will continue polluting at its current pace. However with the <br /> 18 proper incentives (impervious surface credits), people will install these systems and the <br /> 19 runoff will be greatly reduced because most system will collect from the roof of the whole <br /> 20 house. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 While you are reviewing these storm water systems, I would like to flag another item that <br /> 23 is related to impervious surface restrictions. I am a pretty keen proponent of green/clean <br /> 24 energy and hence have installed several energy saving systems in my home. One of <br /> 25 them is a roof mounted solar system. Given my roof is fully maxed out with solar panels, <br /> 26 1 approached planning department earlier this year to ask if I could extend my system by <br /> 27 installing rack mounted solar panels in my yard. Due to impervious restrictions, planning <br /> 28 said I would not get permission to install such a system. I would like to ask the <br /> 29 commissioners to look into this. How can it be that a solar power system could be denied <br /> 30 based on allowed impervious surface? It is not that I want to install a mega system, just <br /> 31 to provide for my own use. I currently generate about 25% of my energy usage and duke <br /> 32 energy can allow me a system 3 times as big as I have currently. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 1 discussed with planning department the solar and wind access policy of NC state. They <br /> 35 looked at it but said that their interpretation of this law remains consistent with the initial <br /> 36 verdict that rack mounted solar power panels would count towards my impervious <br /> 37 surface usage (even though the solar and wind access policy explicitly states that is <br /> 38 supersede any county ordinance prohibiting the installation of solar power), and that <br /> 39 given that I am at the maximum allowed, I would not be able to install it. <br /> 40 My question would be if you could look into solar power systems and impervious surface <br /> 41 restrictions? I believe that some counties adjusted the ordinances to exclude solar power <br /> 42 from the impervious surface restrictions. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Many thanks for considering. <br /> 45 Kind regards, <br /> 46 Steven Raets <br /> 47 <br /> 48 1 am requesting you approve the amendment to give impervious credit to residents who <br /> 49 use approved "best management practices" stormwater runoff protection measure at <br /> 50 tomorrow's meeting, just like our surrounding counties do. <br /> 51 <br />