The Ventana Canyon Community Association (VCCA) welcomes the ...

VENTANA CANYON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Solar Energy Device Design Guidelines Supplement
The Ventana Canyon Community Association (VCCA) Design Guidelines establish design review requirements
for all types of projects. This document serves as a supplement to the Design Guidelines. In order for the
Architectural/Appearance Review Committee (AARC) to consider the placement and appearance of any
proposed solar energy device installation project the following supplemental design guidelines are adopted.
Every Owner has the right to install and maintain solar energy devices, subject to compliance with all applicable
design guidelines and upon the approval of the AARC, after first providing a submittal to the AARC and
subsequently completing the balance of the requirements outlined herein. The AARC acknowledges the
applicable Arizona Revised Statutes to facilitate installation of solar energy devices. However, those same
statutes also allow the AARC to create “reasonable rules regarding the placement of a solar energy device.” This
supplement outlines the AARC expectations and requirements for any solar energy device installation project
within the VCCA.
This supplement consists of two sections: 1) Design Criteria; and, 2) Design Review Process and Submittal
Requirements.
Section 1: Design Criteria
A: Placement
1. In reviewing any proposed location, the AARC prefers locations that eliminate or minimize to the fullest
extent feasible the potential visual exposure of the installation off-site. In addition, AARC’s expectation
is that the size or scope of any installation is consistent with the normal energy demands of a typical
Residence within VCCA.
2. In reviewing any proposed location, the AARC considers: a) the potential visual exposure from nearby
streets, other Common Areas and other residences and properties within the community; b) the design
integration with the Residence, Structure or other Improvements; c) the topography and vegetation
context on the Lot; and, d) the relationship to adjacent or nearby lots.
3. A ground mounted installation will be considered if: a) the resulting potential visual exposure is reduced
when compared to a similar roof mounted installation; b) the applicable setback to lot property lines is
maintained; c) existing vegetation and other natural features of the Lot are not disturbed or eliminated;
and, d) related visual mitigation screening (such as walls, landscape, etc.) is included.
4. A roof mounted installation will be considered if the resulting potential visual exposure is reduced when
compared to a similar ground mounted installation. In most instances, a roof mounted installation on flat
roof areas of the Residence or Structure is preferred to any installation on pitched roof areas of the
Residence or Structure.
5. Any flat roof mounted installation is preferred to incorporate collectors or panels that: a) are mounted
directly to and parallel with the roof plane; and, b) maintain a height profile that is below the height of
the lowest surrounding parapet wall top condition.
6. Any pitched roof mounted installation is preferred to incorporate collectors or panels that: a) are
mounted directly to and parallel with the roof plane; b) maintain a height profile that is below the height
of the lowest adjacent roof ridge top or peak condition.
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B: Appearance
VENTANA CANYON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Solar Energy Device Design Guidelines Supplement
In addition to the above placement criteria, the AARC will review and give separate, specific consideration
to the appearance of the related equipment components of any installation. As applicable, these include but
are not limited to mounting frames, hardware, piping, conduit, storage tanks, inverters, etc.
1. All related equipment components are preferred to be: a) concealed by the Residence, Structure or other
Improvements; and/or, b) positioned below the footprint of the collectors or panels so as not to be
visible.
2. Excluding the surface face of the collectors or panels, all related equipment components not complying
with item number one above are considered to be visible. As applicable, visible components of the
entire installation should: a) match the adjacent ground or roof material color; b) be a uniform dark
color; c) match the adjacent surface finish color of the Residence, Structure or other Improvements
whenever possible.
3. The finish color of the surface face of the collectors or panels should be considered when manufacturing
options are available. Finish color options that are more compatible with the adjacent surface finish
color of the Residence, Structure or other Improvements are strongly preferred. It is recognized and
understood that a reasonable increase in the total collector area or array size may be necessary to
maintain this criterion.
C: Modifications Prior to Approval
In considering any proposed solar energy device installation the AARC reserves the right to request
modifications to any proposed installation prior to granting approval.
Section 2: Design Review Process and Submittal Requirements
A: Design Review Process
1. In general, the design review process is progressive and consists of the following phases: 1) pre-design
orientation; 2) submittal preparation and review by the AARC; 3) pre-construction conference; 4)
construction-in progress reviews; and, 5) post-construction inspection. The property manager of VCCA
is available to provide further clarification of these phases beyond the specifics included herein.
2. All submittals shall be made in duplicate. All submittals shall be coordinated through the VCCA office
at 6600 N. Hole-in-the-wall Way, Tucson AZ 85750. The phone number is 520-529-9199.
3. The AARC generally requires a 30-day posting period before completing their review of any submittal,
and any submittal received within seven (7) days of the monthly AARC meeting date ordinarily will not
be considered until the following monthly meeting.
4. A design review fee in the amount of $350 (non-refundable) shall accompany the submittal. The check
should be made payable to “VCCA.” The design review fee is subject to adjustment.
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B: Submittal Requirements
VENTANA CANYON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Solar Energy Device Design Guidelines Supplement
In order for the AARC to consider the placement and appearance of any proposed solar energy device
installation project, the Owner or applicant must provide a submittal that contains the following minimum
requirements outlined below.
1. A narrative describing the proposed project. Include sufficient detail to clearly outline the type, size and
scope of the project.
2. Plan view drawing(s) to scale (i.e. site plan, floor plan) showing the proposed project in relationship to
the surrounding Residence, Structure or other Improvements.
3. Elevation view drawing(s) to scale showing the proposed project in relation to the surrounding
Residence, Structure or other Improvements.
4. Cross section view drawing(s) to scale showing the proposed project in relation to the surrounding
Residence, Structure or other Improvements.
5. Additional specific drawings, details, and information on related equipment components (i.e. mounting
frames, hardware, piping or conduit, storage tanks inverters, etc.) for the proposed project.
6. Manufacturer’s product information (i.e. brochures, cut sheets, color finish selection, etc.) for all
components of the proposed project.
7. Any other drawings, materials, samples, literature or other information that the Owner or applicant
wants the AARC to consider during their review.
In addition to the above minimum requirements, the AARC reserves the right to request the Owner or
applicant to provide additional drawings, materials, samples, literature, or other information to aid in the
review process.
C: Review of Submittal
The AARC shall conduct a review of the submittal during its regular scheduled monthly meeting. The
AARC will endeavor to respond in writing within 14-calendar days after their review is completed
(including the 30-day posting period when applicable), provided that the submittal is in accordance with all
of the requirements outlined above.
D: Pre-construction Conference
Subsequent to the AARC approval of any proposed solar energy device installation project, the Owner or
applicant must meet with the property manager for VCCA. This meeting occurs prior to any commencement
of construction. As a precursor to this meeting, the Owner or applicant must provide a pre-construction
submittal that contains the following minimum requirements outlined below.
1. Copies of the applicable permits (Pima County, Tucson Electric Power, etc.) relating to the project.
2. A construction duration schedule indicating approximate start and completion dates for the project.
3. A subcontractors list, as applicable, for the project.
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VENTANA CANYON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Solar Energy Device Design Guidelines Supplement
4. Clarification of where construction parking, material storage and staging will occur for the project.
5. A check in the amount of $500 (refundable) for the construction compliance deposit for the project. The
check should be made payable to “VCCA.” The construction compliance deposit is subject to
adjustment.
E: Commencement of Construction and Enforcement
AARC’s express prior approval, including fulfillment of any AARC requested pre-construction
modifications and conditions as well as completion of the above outlined processes and procedures, is
required before any construction may proceed on any proposed solar energy device installation project.
Upon completion of any project, including the post-construction inspection and final approval by the
AARC, the construction compliance deposit will be refunded. This Solar Energy Device Design Guideline
Supplement shall be enforced by the VCCA as provided herein or in the CC&Rs.
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