San Anselmo officials near selection of solar-power site

The San Anselmo Town Council is leaning toward approving a solar energy site just north of Town Hall as it concludes the design process for a $1 million “resilience hub.”

At its meeting on Tuesday, the council signaled its preference to move forward with a solar power canopy carport north of Magnolia Avenue. A vote will come after a public outreach plan concludes.

“I recommend that maybe we let the community process happen,” said Town Manager David Donery.

The two proposed locations for the solar panel are the parking lot north of Magnolia Avenue and the Town Hall parking lot, which contains two solar arrays south of Magnolia Avenue and bisected by City Hall Avenue.

The project will consist of a solar photovoltaic system, a battery energy storage system and a microgrid system to supply “green” energy during extreme weather and prescribed blackouts.

Sean Condry, the town’s public works director, said the project would cost between $1.1 million and $1.3 million. He said the cost would not be decided until the conclusion of the design process. Special painting or wrapping will be used to disguise the industrial look of the equipment.

“We’re trying to go for a much more aesthetic design,” Condry said. “We’re trying to make this fit the downtown of San Anselmo. That’s really what a big part of the cost is.”

The grid at the Magnolia Avenue lot will produce more electricity and minimally impact residential structures, according to a staff report. Tree removal would not be required and fire access to the lot would not be affected. The Town Hall lot concept is a split array plan, which would affect firefighter access, require tree removal and produce less energy.

Mayor Eileen Burke noted that the town staff should “move expeditiously as possible with the community input so that we can move on to the Magnolia lot.”

Councilmember Alexis Fineman said the Town Hall lot plan could drive up costs.

“There is nothing redeeming about the Town Hall side,” Fineman said. “For me, we should end the conversation tonight.”

The site will be used to charge town vehicles, maintain services at sites such as the police station and reduce dependency on generators during emergency services. The site also will provide Wi-Fi and electronic vehicle charging stations for the public, as well as cooling and heating equipment.

The project would require building a canopy carport to provide power to Town Hall, the library and the Central Marin Police Authority station.

“The town will determine the final location and design of the resilience hub based on public input cost feasibility, construction impact and fire access engineering judgment along with state building and fire codes,” said Matthew Ferrer, an assistant engineer.

Ferrer said the construction is scheduled to conclude in June 2025.

Town engineering staff installed story poles at the proposed sites on Wednesday. The poles have codes that residents can scan to provide survey responses about their preferences. The poles will be removed on Oct. 18.

Officials plan to hold a community meeting at Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to display renderings of the potential designs and detail their effects.

“I think it’s very possible in the future to near-future we could see some solar in our town lot if the council decides to go with Magnolia,” said Councilmember Steve Burdo. “I think this design is awesome.”

The project is eligible for an investment tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act that could result in a 30% cost savings. The cost of the project will be covered by Measure J sales tax funds over the current and next fiscal year.

Utility cost savings will amount to the cost of the project after about 18 years, officials estimated. The town will also consider selling the solar power to provide a new revenue stream. The town estimates that the project could provide $344,000 in revenue after 25 years.