December 2007 Planning Comission Meeting Review

December 2007 Planning Comission
Paww...

The Thursday evening of Dec. 6th, was (it looks) like last official meeting for City of G.T. of the year 2007. According to the City Planning Director, there is insufficient developmental needs for yet another meeting this year, and possibly January of next year also. A final rough draft and presentation of the new 200 plus page document to accompany the new city-wide General Plan with be topic of meeting for First Thursday of January, if not then the third Thursday of January.

There are upcoming several developments needing consideration by the P.C. for the third meeting but maybe or maybe not for the first.

This evening was concentrated on new revisions and additions to documentation to the current Land Use Plan, and for the new one which has yet to be approved by City Council. Scott Limbacher representing Maintenance and Development for Stater Bros. markets had attended this meeting and gave a short discussion about their efforts to remain "Green".

One of the elements that Scott discussed was the fact that it seems there is an overabundance of "Free" electricity or water heating to every flat roof on every store. Now, everyone thinks this to be Green, but in their eyes it is not so, 'least right now. Current lifetime to the roof mounted equipment is about ten years, before they become obsolete, require too much maintenance, or are "Paid-off" and new items of technology need then to be installed. What the Market found was the dollars to purchase and install, can be calculated, but then again, if the equipment was manufactured two or more time zones away, there are transportation costs, plus that the firm of manufacture may then be polluting the environment in so making the units.

Many Green items are actually harming things just in their manufacture in a location not seen by the purchaser. And thus, pollution there is equal to pollution here. One element being dodged by everyone, was what happens if the business leaves town? What of the old structure or property.

A whole new business would then come under the scrutiny of the City P.C. but what if the new tenant has a similar business to old then? It escapes the scrutiny. The new business is then exempt from upgrading or adapting to new codes or compliance with current Title 24 regulations. Thus something needs to be done to upgrade not just a business, but the structure also.

We all have heard about how a multi-story hotel burned to the ground as it met the code requirements of the 1950's, but those same codes and safety factors need to be considered again for to stay in business in the 21st century. This seems to be a hole in which the city P.C. and City Council need to consider.

Is it best to let a pretty looking, but unsafe and derelict building to remain occupied, just for a tax base? How much do you want to bet an item such as these "do not" get written into the new documents before being handed on to the City Council for their approval.

Grandpa’s Reply:

Thanks for the report. I find it interesting that the question of going Green in the Grand Terrace Code has such limited input. That input being from a Stater Brother’s Representative.

Let’s Review some real facts:

Payoff for a PV Cell System is 5 years not 10 years, and after that they don’t crumble up and stop producing power, any power after that is FREEEEEE…

Yes, a PV CELL System that is installed now may be obsolete in a short period of time. That does not diminish its Value or Function, or its Payback formula. Let us hope that PV Technology improves and costs are lowered as time goes on, but that is not a justification for not using current technology.

Yes, it May Be TRUE: Some companies that produce PV Cells are net polluters and that pollution saved here is pollution some where else. A large company such as Stater Brothers and Macys, and Star Bucks can do a good job of inspecting their supplier and not buy from such polluters. There are PV Systems made right here in the USA.

If this Planning Commission and the City Council has the best interest of this community in mind they should seek information and suggestions regarding codes and ordinances from the PV Cell Producers, and County and State Environmental Agencies that have most likely worked these issues through. This would be the expert input of value to the community. I am sorry that a self serving DRIP may guide the Planning Commission down a path of regressive construction codes rather than forward looking codes. The code could also demand that any Imported PV Cells come from companies that have been certified as Green Producers or Companies that Produce using Environmental Standards equal or better than we have here in the USA.

New Construction should require PV CELLS, and PV Cells should be Encouraged on all Upgrades, and Renovations. Perhaps the City Could waive all fees for construction that produces a certain amount of power per foot of roof space. Yes, it would increase costs on the front end, but it would be paid off in 5 years, and a windfall after that.

Yes Maintenance of the systems will need to be done, this is no different than standard roof maintenance and effectively window washing. Maintenance of a PV CELL SYSTEM is not a costly task, to suggest it is is also a misrepresentation.

If a PV CELL system has batteries for back up, of course those batteries should be recycled, and we hope these too will be improved over the years. However, it is more likely that all PV Cell Generated Power would be fed into the grid, and there would be a Hydrogen Powered (Water Cracker) that would use surplus power to crack water into fuel. This would be stored and used as needed.

It is possible to reduce the cost and environmental impact of our power needs if we were bold enough to use technology that is available today.

OLD is not USELESS.... Sure some buildings may need improvements to be brought up to code. This is what Redevelopment Loans were INTENDED FOR... In some cases OLD is Better than NEW...

Some Times OLD is the WISE WAY TO GO...

An Old Fashioned Windmill can still pump water, and or generate electricity.