§ 103-8. Guidelines for future solar access.

A. 

New structures will be sited to take advantage of solar access insofar as practical, including the orientation of proposed buildings with respect to sun angles, the shading and windscreen potential of existing and proposed vegetation on and off the site, and the impact of solar access to adjacent uses and properties.

B. 

To permit maximum solar access to proposed lots and future buildings, wherever reasonably feasible, consistent with other appropriate design considerations and to the extent practicable, new streets shall be located on an east-west axis to encourage building siting with the maximum exposure of roof and wall area to the sun. The Planning Board shall also consider the slope of the property and the nature and location of existing vegetation as they affect solar access.

C. 

The impact of street trees on the solar access of the surrounding property shall be minimized to the greatest possible extent in selecting and locating shade trees. Every effort shall be made to avoid shading possible locations of solar collectors/solar panels.

D. 

When the Planning Board reviews and acts upon applications for subdivision approval or site plan approval, it shall take into consideration whether the proposed construction would block access to sunlight between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time for existing approved solar energy systems.

E. 

The Planning Board may require subdivisions to be platted so as to preserve or enhance solar access for either passive or active systems, consistent with the other requirements of the Town Code.

F. 

The plan for development of any site within cluster subdivisions shall be designed and arranged in such a way as to promote solar access for all dwelling units. Considerations may include the following:

(1) 

In order to maximize solar access, the higher-density dwelling units should be placed on a south-facing slope and lower-density dwelling units sited on a north-facing slope.

(2) 

Structures should be sited as close to the north lot line as possible to increase yard space to the south for reduced shading of the south face of a structure.

(3) 

A tall structure should be sited to the north of a short structure, where practical.