(a) Upon receipt of a completed application for the installation of solar energy equipment, the Building Commissioner shall:
(1) Act within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application to review the application for compliance with this Section. If it is determined that the applicant is in compliance, he shall refer the application to the City Planning Commission to review the application. If the Solar Panel project is located within the Historic District, the application shall first be referred, within 30 days, to the Bedford Historic Preservation Committee for their review and approval before being considered for approval by the Planning Commission during a second 30 day period. Should the Building Commissioner determine that the application is not in compliance with this Section, a review letter shall be sent to the applicant itemizing the violations.
(2) A Planning Commission hearing shall be held within 30 days of the determination by the Building Commissioner that the application is in compliance with this Section. The Planning Commission shall either recommend approval of the solar energy equipment or, within thirty (30) days, recommend alternatives to the applicant. If the Planning Commission recommends approval of an application, the Building Commissioner shall issue a Zoning Permit for the work provided that the application complies with the requirements of this Section. If the Planning Commission recommends alternatives to the applicant, no permit shall be issued until the applicant formally acknowledges that he or she has received the recommendations of the Planning Commission. Recommendations of the Planning Commissions shall be advisory only, and shall not be considered as grounds for approving or denying an application.
(3) Upon receiving the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Building Commissioner shall, within fourteen (14) days, either approve or deny the application. Should the application be denied, the applicant may either withdraw the application completely, modify the application in such a way as to bring all aspects of the project into compliance with this Section, or request an appeal of the Building Commissioner's denial of a permit. Appeals of the order shall be heard by the Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals in a timely manner.
(b) Once the Zoning Permit has been approved and issued for the installation of the Solar Energy Equipment, construction drawings shall be submitted for review and approval under the applicable residential or commercial construction codes, including the National Electrical Code. Following the normal review of construction documents, the building and/or electrical permits shall be issued at the appropriate cost.
(c) Regardless of the action of the Planning Commission, the Building Commissioner shall have the authority to impose reasonable conditions to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare. (Ord. 8758-10. Passed 11-15-10.)