02-02-2010 - (3)City of West Covina
Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
Chris Freeland, Deputy City Manager
AGENDA
ITEM NO. 1-2
DATE February 2,,2010
SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM COUNCILMEMBER ROGER HERNANDEZ
REQUESTING THE CITY COUNCIL TO INSTRUCT CITY STAFF TO
PREPARE A REPORT ON RECOMMENDATIONS TO STREAMLINE THE
PERMIT PROCESS & FEE STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANEL
INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council direct staff accordingly.
DISCUSSION:
Per the City Council Standing Rules, Councilmember Roger Hernandez is seeking the City
Council's consensus to instruct City staff to prepare a report on recommendations to streamline the
permit process for solar panel installation and review the fee structure for those permits.
While City staff is prepared to make a comprehensive staff report, should the City Council approve
Councilmember Hernandez' request, the following is information on the discussion from the
January 19, 2010, City Council meeting.
At the January 19, 2010, City Council meeting reference was made to a Sierra Club Report that
evaluated the permit process time and fess for solar panel projects. The survey that the Sierra Club
conducted has an average permit process time of one to two weeks and an average permit fee of
$501.78. The report stated that West Covina's permit process is seven to ten days at a fee of
$815.00. 'It is important to note. that the actual permit fees are considerably less than that reported
by the Sierra Club. A resident that recently completed a solar project paid $535.00 and completed
the permit process in eight days.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Prepared by:
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager