Table of Contents

 Autonomous Vehicles

The city's code of ordinances permits parking reductions and encourages passenger loading zones to accommodate autonomous vehicles (AV). Approval criteria for reduced parking requirements include a parking demand study, passenger loading zones and staging areas, and descriptions of additional approaches to reduce parking demand through AV (§35-1807.5). Additionally, it relates building gross square feet to total number of loading zones and establishes a maximum of 40 percent parking reduction (§35-1808.2.b).

Data Centers

This city's code of ordinance defines data centers and outlines use-specific standards. The zoning ordinance does not permit data centers unless approved in the Planned Area Development district. Data centers approved in this district must notify all residents within a half-mile radius and schedule at least two meetings with residents to discuss the development and sound mitigation design (§35-2214.2). The zoning code also states that the data center must provide a liaison to respond to residents' complaints if requested by city staff (§35-2214.3). Data centers are required to conduct a noise study and incorporate sound mitigation into the design when using a backup generator. They are also required to maintain a website that posts when the generator is in use (§35-2214.4-7). Data centers are permitted as an ancillary use if they occupy less than ten percent of the building footprint, are explicitly used to serve the function of the on-site property owner, and are not housed in separate structures on the site (§35-2214.21).

Shared Mobility

The city’s codified ordinances contains laws that apply to shared mobility devices and parking standards that address ridesharing services.

Its public safety code includes traffic rules relating to general operating restrictions of the devices, roadway operating restrictions, and safety equipment requirements for shared mobility devices (§12-5).

The planning code authorizes the Zoning Administrator to reduce parking requirements if studies estimate a reduction in parking usage due to an increase in ridesharing services, the proposed project provides enough space for ridesharing vehicles, and if the reduction in parking will not increase the demand for parking spaces (§35-1807(5)).

 Solar Energy

The city's code of ordinances includes a section on solar energy systems that supplies definitions of terms. In agricultural and residential districts, ancillary solar energy systems are permitted as accessory uses, and utility-scale systems are allowed with approval of a use permit; the code provides standards for free-standing ancillary systems. In commercial and industrial districts, ancillary solar energy systems are permitted as accessory uses, and utility-scale systems are allowed with approval of a use permit; the regulation provides standards for free-standing ancillary systems. The code of ordinances also provides standards for utility-scale solar systems (§35-2210).

The section on site development plan standards for multifamily projects includes energy conservation measures, such as alternate energy sources, including solar heating offered as standard equipment or as an option (§35-1902.7.g.3).