A letter to all Homeowners of the Meriwether Neighbourhood:

Beginning this year I purchased a Lennar home in the Meriwether neighborhood phase 7.

Recently I decided to do my part in conserving energy and reducing my carbon footprint. I started the application process for a solar system for my home. Further more I decided to apply for a 5x5 inch vent needed for a home fueling station (called “Phill”) for my Natural Gas Car (NGV).

Both applications have been turned down by our HOA. I believe the denial is not justified and I have appealed both of my applications.

I want to be prepared for the meeting with the board members of our HOA. I am respectfully asking you for your help. I am asking you to approve my efforts of conserving energy and creating a greener environment. I am hoping that you understand what I want to do and why this is important to me. My goal is to send a powerful message to the board of directors by receiving a close to 100% approval by all owners and approving my projects I applied for. WE are the HOA.

As per our bylaws and CC&R’s I must request permission from the HOA before any work is done outside of the building, this includes attaching or drilling into the building. Both of my projects require doing so.

I have established a website with a lot of supportive documents and information. www.race262.com.

Please let me further explain both of my projects in detail and what it means for you as a partial owner (right now 1/87^th) of the Meriwether HOA. The Approval of both projects would mean a reduction of about 8 Tons of Carbon each year!

The Solar System:

This System will be installed by SunWize Systems, a nationwide reputable company. The system will be installed on the south side of my building, facing Gaston way (which is a street with all garage access). About 350 sqft of roof will be needed. This is less than 1/3 of the south facing roof available on my building, enabling any of my neighbors within my building to install the same size system if they wish to do so. The System will consist of 18 panels of high efficient Sunpower Panels. The total rating for the system is 3.6 kW AC. The system is expected to produce about 500 kWh a month offsetting my energy usage by 100 % (my usage right now is about 450 kWh).

- The system will have minimal visual impact, only a very few homes will be seeing the panels on the roof and it only will be visible from a very spots within our community making sure the overall look of Meriwether will not change.
- The panels are black and have a gap of about 3/8 of an inch between the panels and are mounted very low to roof. The racking used for mounting is black, blending in nicely with the existing asphalt shingles on my roof.
- If I produce more than I use in any given year (billing and calculations will be done on a yearly basis, not monthly) I WILL NOT PROFIT from the overproduction. It will be a “gift” to SoCal Edison.
- The install is warranted by SunWize for 10 Years.
- Any costs (or damage) associated with the system will be my sole responsibility. This includes the cost of removing (and re-installing) the panels in case the roofing needs to be replaced.
- Section 714 of the Civil Code describes my rights to install a solar system. Further more section 714 (f) explains that a penalty of up to $1000.- shall be paid to applicant if anyone violates this code. I have no interest in enforcing this penalty since it will just cause unnecessary costs to our HOA.
- Assembly Bill No. 1892 also specifically addresses common interest developments (such as ours) making any rule, restriction or denial in regards to a solar systems void and unenforceable.

The 5 inch x 5 inch vent (needed for an indoor NGV fueling station called “Phill”)

This system is a gas appliance for fueling my Honda Civic GX, the “greenest” car currently available on the market. The system is an approved gas appliance in all states. It is rated safer than a gas dryer or stove and must be installed by a certified installer and has multiple backup systems in case of a leak or emergency. Rigorous testing has been done. The system is 100% safe! It does not have any open flames - unlike a gas stove, dryer or water heater.

The system is entirely installed inside the garage (therefore not needing approval by the HOA), however it needs one vent to the outside of the building, this vent needs to be 5x5 inches small and can be pretty much installed anywhere on the outside of the building. I have picked a location not visible from the streets or any other home. It will be hidden behind trees, will match in color and will be the same design of vents elsewhere used in our community.
100 % hidden and matching the design and color of the home this vent will be in no way an eye-sore or interruption of the look of our homes and community. I am not painting my house green, all I am asking for is a 5x5 inch vent emitting some warm air (no noise, vapor, smell or gases) when in use!

Of course I will take the same liability as with the solar system and any costs occurred due to the installed vent will be my responsibility. Such as the very unlikely event of a (water) leak or crack in the wall. The vent will not in anyway compromise or weaken the integrity of the structure. The install and system itself is permitted by the City of Tustin. The installer is a professional, certified and trained installer, who has done the same install successfully at other homes in southern California. No compressed gas is stored in the garage (except of what’s in my fuel tank of the car). No noise or vapors are emitted thru the vent. Only some warm air, much less than a dryer vent.

Why fuel up at home instead of fueling at a public station?

- The Phill has been installed successfully thousands of times all across the country.
- The closest station from my home is almost 9 miles away.
- Public stations are known for not being reliable and tend to brake down at the most inconvenient times.
- When fueling at the wrong time at a public station the wait can be as long as 30 minutes if a few big busses or trash trucks have fueled just before you. Needing to wait to build up pressure again for fueling.
- None of the stations are “convenient” like a regular gas station, the off-freeway locations are adding miles and time to my already long workday.
- Fueling at home is about 40 cents cheaper (right now) than public fuelling. I see this “price cut” as a reward for doing my part of becoming energy independent. Even more so for the lengthy and time consuming process of obtaining my approval from HOA and neighbors.
- Jay Leno has a great little video clip explaining the Phill http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=193319

If I do not get approval for the vent I will be forced to drive a “regular” car again increasing my carbon footprint and pollution dramatically. Unfortunately I can not justify the added time and inconvenience of fueling up in public. All I need approval for is a 5x5 inch vent hidden out of sight!!

I believe the denial of the Design Review Committee is not justified. Please see following excerpts of our bylaws:

2.12.3 … no person may modify any condominium… incl. walls… if the modification will impair the structural integrity or fire safety of the residence … (the vent will not create such a hazard)
2.12.6 No liability (this explains that I am liable for any improvement/install)

I have created a very simple website with links, documents and pictures to further explain my projects and the great advantages of the Phill, NGV cars and solar systems. Trying to reduce paper waste created by my efforts I will not hand out any supportive documents. I encourage you to visit my website to view any up to date information about my projects. www.race262.com

Please support me in doing my part of conserving resources at no costs or consequences to the community. Again, I will be 100 % liable for both of my projects and any costs associated with it! I know I have chosen solutions to absolutely minimize any visual impact to our community.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments!

I am hopeful that our community can be the first in Tustin to set an example for future conservation and reduction in our carbon footprint and pollution.

Thank you for your time, consideration and understanding!

Sincerely,

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