The City of Plano is in the process of revising its
Comprehensive Plan. This plan, called “Plano Tomorrow” will
be the guiding document for land use development and transportation planning
for the next 20 years, helping to ensure that Plano continues to be a thriving
employment center and great place to live. Citizens can become involved and provide
inputs to the development of this comprehensive plan by taking an online
survey, using the “engage Plano” website, and participating in a group meeting
process called “Take the Case”. Information
about the process and how to get involved can be found by following this link -
How Can I Get Involved?
On September 24, 2013, a number of Plano Solar Advocate
volunteers met together to participate in one of the “Take the Case” group
meetings. The main objective from the meeting
was to develop three to five leading ideas to provide to city planners that
they would consider for including in the comprehensive plan update. The results from our session is given at the
end of this blog posting.
We are encouraging other citizens to take time to provide
your inputs about Plano’s future, and in particular, Plano’s solar future by doing
one or more of the following:
-
Hold a “Take the Case” meeting with a group of friends,
- Complete the Comprehensive Plano Survey online,
- Provide inputs at the Engage Plano portal.
Shine On!
Plano Solar Advocate (LH)
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Plano Solar Advocates - Leading Ideas for Plano for Comprehensive
Plan suggestions developed during our Sept 24, 2013 “Take the Case” group
meeting.
1. Establish an Environmental
and Sustainability Citizen’s Advisory Board with representation from the
City Council similar to other Boards and Commissions. This board would address all
aspects of environmental sustainability including sustainable transportation, economic
viability and opportunities for community engagement. Economic viability might
include expanding the Research Technology area of Plano to attract higher
income employment opportunities.
2. Develop and maintain a long range Energy Plan that includes all energy consumers - municipal, residential and business. Plano currently imports all of its electricity. The energy plan should include the objective
of meeting 40% of electricity needs from locally generated solar power, 40%
from imported clean energy, and the remaining 20% coming from reduced
consumption and conventional energy sources. Utilizing local distributed solar
energy will help offset peak demand periods, especially in the summer, and
reduce stress on the utility distribution grid. A goal for the energy plan
would for Plano to become known as the leader of Solar Friendly Communities
across Texas and the nation. Plano should be also become a leader in the implementation
of the Texas PACE program, the Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy Act legislation
passed in June 2013. (See http://www.keepingpaceintexas.org/)
3. Update and enhance building
code standards to promote energy net zero buildings for both new structures
and re-development projects. This should include public education regarding the
importance of natural resource stewardship.
4. Establish plan and vision to address long range water challenges, including reuse of gray water. In combination with an energy plan that
promotes local solar energy for electricity generation, water resources can be
conserved because electricity generation from PV solar does not require water,
unlike conventional centrally generated electricity power plants. Also, the
treatment and delivery of our water supplies to our home and businesses
requires a significant amount of electricity. Let’s make sure we understand the
percentage of our water bills that are due to electricity costs and look for
ways to improve efficiencies and reduce these energy costs. And, let’s make
sure we are using clean energy resources like solar to generate electricity in
the treatment and delivery of water.
5. Re-development of retail
and commercial areas, including vacant strip centers. Possible options
could include zoning for shared solar farms (or gardens) that would allow
persons who are renters or whose homes are not suitable for solar installations
to buy shares of the solar farm and receive credits on their electric bills for
the production from their share of the solar farm.
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