Laserfiche WebLink
Zoning is not the only way to encourage solar housing. The City could also take <br />steps to encourage homeowners to make improvements to their homes which would <br />include solar energy. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency provides loans to <br />homeowners with modest incomes under the Home Improvement Loan Program. Loans <br />are made for a variety of improvements, including the purchase and installation of <br />solar equipment for space or water heating. Other loan programs available through <br />the U.S. Department of HUD and the Farmers Home Administration could also be used <br />by low to moderate income residents to make needed energy related home improvements. <br />The City should keep citizens informed of the programs which are available for finance <br />of solar improvements, and should coordinate housing rehabilitation efforts with efforts <br />to reduce energy costs. <br />Earth- Sheltered Housing <br />A recent law passed by the State of Minnesota will provide the same tax credits and <br />incentives that apply to solar housing to earth - sheltered dwelling units. The State laws <br />provide a credit of 20 percent of the first $10,000 of renewable energy source expendi- <br />tures. This includes earth - sheltered dwelling units, which are defined as "structures <br />which comply with applicable building code structures and are constructed so that 80 <br />percent or more of the roof area is covered with a minimum depth of 12 inches of earth; <br />and 50 percent or more of the wall area is covered with a minimum depth. of 12 inches <br />of earth; and those portions of the structure not insulated with a minimum of seven feet <br />of earth have additional insulation ". <br />This tax credit should do much to encourage the construction and development of earth - <br />sheltered housing. Most communities are ill- equipped to handle the issues associated <br />with this type of construction. There are special concerns related to meeting building <br />code requirements, potential drainage problems, soil properties, and lot size and shape. <br />Once there is a greater familiarity with the styles of housing and construction issues <br />related to this housing type, planning guidelines can be formulated. In the meantime, <br />the City should take a positive attitude towards housing of this type. Once a positive <br />public policy has been established towards earth - sheltered housing, alternative approaches <br />to dealing with this type of development should be investigated. <br />A -8 <br />