Title/Name/Summary
Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Rooftop Solar Panel Review Process
History
Project: 2025-0820 - Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Rooftop Solar Panel Review Process
Requested Approvals: Revise the Solar Panel Review Process to remove the Appearance Review requirement for flush-mounted rooftop commercial solar panels.
**See attached Amendment Report for text changes**
PROPOSED AMENDMENT SUMMARY
The goal of this proposed amendment is to revise the Environmental Clean Technology (ETC) regulations to simplify the review procedure for non-residential flush-mounted rooftop solar panels. In 2023, an amendment was approved to remove the Appearance Review requirement for residential flush-mounted rooftop solar panels.
Currently, Appearance Reviews for non-residential rooftop solar panels are conducted regularly, and staff has observed that they consistently meet the ETC code requirements. As a result, the need for Appearance Reviews for solar installations has become largely procedural rather than necessary.
The proposed amendment would streamline the process by allowing all flush-mounted rooftop solar installations to be approved administratively through the building permit review process. Ground-mounted or highly visible systems would continue to require an Appearance Review prior to building permit submittals to ensure appropriate design, adequate screening, and minimal visual impact.
Recommended Action/Motion
Regarding Case Number 2025-0820 - Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Solar Panel Review Process, Staff recommends to accept and make findings of fact as discussed at this Plan Commission meeting and within the Staff Report dated October 13, 2025;
And
Staff Recommends the Plan Commission approves the Land Development Code Amendment for Section 6-314.B.1.
Regarding Case Number 2025-0820 - Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Solar Panel Review Process, I move to approve the Staff Recommended Action as presented in the Staff Report to the Plan Commission for this case.