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File #: 2025-0820    Version: Name: Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Rooftop Solar Panel Review Process
Type: MOTION Status: PASSED
File created: 10/13/2025 In control: Board of Trustees
On agenda: 11/3/2025 Final action: 11/3/2025
Title: /Name/Summary Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Rooftop Solar Panel Review Process
Attachments: 1. Amendment Report to the Board, 2. Amendment Report to the Plan Commission, 3. Ordinance

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.

 

PLAN COMMISSION SUMMARY

Present at the Plan Commission meeting were 7 Commissioners and Village staff. Following the Staff Recommendation, the commissioners commented that they encourage streamlining Village processes.

 

PLAN COMMISSION ACTION                     

Regarding Case Number 2025-0820, also known as “Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Solar Panel Review Process,” the Plan Commission recommends that the Board of Trustees approves the Land Development Code Amendment for Section 6-314.B.1.

 

Recommended Action/Motion

I move to approve the Plan Commission Recommended Action regarding Case Number 2025-0820, also known as “Land Development Code Amendment: Revise Solar Panel Review Process,”;

 

AND

 

I move to adopt Ordinance 6056, entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF ORLAND PARK, AS AMENDED.