Sparta Township City Zoning Code
§ 18-5.7
Energy Standards.
[Ord. No. 636 A 508]
a.
Intent. It is the purpose of this subsection to provide the minimum standards so that new construction in the Township will be energy-efficient.
b.
Purpose. All subdivisions and site plans shall address maximum effective use of passive solar energy site design techniques and other energy-saving methodology.
c.
Standards. All subdivisions and site plans shall conform to the following:
1.
All proposed structures shall have no shaded solar access to the south facing wall 75% of the time on December 21 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Eastern Standard Time unless topographical or natural features of the site require a waiver of this provision by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
2.
Newly created lots and subdivisions shall contain deed restrictions enforcing the above required solar access standards for all new construction and planting.
3.
75% of all proposed structures shall have their perpendicular line from the long axis located within 30° of true south unless topographical or natural features on the site require a waiver of this provision.
4.
Where building location, based upon the above requirements, causes a conflict with setback requirements, said setbacks may be waived so long as they do not adversely affect buffering with the contiguous uses.
5.
All subdivisions and site plans shall contain an energy conservation submission which shall be composed of a map at a scale of at least one inch equals 100 feet with the following:
d.
Energy Option. Where developers propose structures which meet the following minimum requirements, they will receive a 15% density bonus on all least restricted lands or a 15% density bonus on moderately restricted slopes which face south in the Rural Residential and Conservation Residential zones:
2.
90% of all proposed buildings shall have the perpendicular long axis located within 30° of true south.
3.
All north, east and west windows shall be triple glazed. All south windows shall be double glazed.
4.
R38 insulation shall be required in the ceilings, R19 insulation in the walls and R11 insulation in the floor below the lowest living level.
5.
South facing glazing shall be maximized and night shades and overhangs will be utilized for the purpose of shading hot summer sun and providing additional insulation in the evenings.
6.
Any foundations on slabs should have two-inch styrofoam perimeter insulation.
e.
Evaluation Procedure. The Planning Department shall compute the shadowing and orientation of buildings based on overlays available in the Sparta Township Planning Department. These evaluations shall be presented to the Planning Board and will be utilized in evaluating the energy considerations of new developments.