[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286838,"mediaKeyId","2556520-83326b6f71140ebbd96e454afc513fca","parentId",2556520,"title","Plan Commission reviews SolSmart zoning review; staff to pursue draft solar zoning language","audioSeconds",3499,"startMs",839000,"endMs",4338000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556520-83326b6f71140ebbd96e454afc513fca&start=839&end=4338","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556520-83326b6f71140ebbd96e454afc513fca/thumbnail_839000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286838/Monona/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Plan-Commission-reviews-SolSmart-zoning-review-staff-to-pursue-draft-solar-zoning-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286838-506d09b9cf4e2a34095e744686c8ab10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507923&Signature=mfvUbD3lFOZFUZZ7E6LQG78BvqanFiyEg4Mduz0IpMK6pOFpKdosG4NzNkdcGLOZbFtBndM55~ajDj3U9e91z3tu8Fd7-EbSxArHkS4ga-RNFAe9nBn3sp0IGZ07wZ3suHYggekk22xc6inujyT17BYjSBpSLBDLfsKQzxYdsnavsYdRJg2Ij2WDXhSNydR6qPn-QFWQukAIaTzXwqpmwiGfu08Ri3jyq0rColluNUqeFd9kKqfgBLfbPeUMORL9BinJOS67CPJPCFlASkonyOpH1-6wQp-ayVXUeFZaDz95W4FBNGLuEXinZZCKhu~ppkGn6awLfZK5SF60~QNWUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Monona, WI","date","2025-03-11T12:23:11Z","article","City staff and a SolSmart technical advisor presented a zoning review to the Monona Plan Commission finding that the city’s zoning code does not currently address solar development and offering model ordinance language and recommendations to increase clarity for residents and developers.

Thor (city staff) summarized the memo: “Our zoning code currently doesn’t address solar development, at all,” and said the SolSmart review recommends adding a solar purpose statement, definitions that distinguish roof-mounted and ground-mounted systems, and clear, proportionate development standards. Thor said the work responds to a City Council resolution directing Monona to pursue SolSmart designation.

Zach Wyman, SolSmart technical advisor with Cadmus, described SolSmart as a Department of Energy-funded designation program that provides no-cost technical assistance and guidance. Wyman emphasized that SolSmart focuses on lowering soft costs by improving permitting, planning and inspection processes and said, “I will never send over an invoice for anything that we do through the SolSmart program.” He noted the program’s bronze prerequisite for planning and zoning (the PZ-1 zoning review) requires a community to review the zoning checklist and return a signed acknowledgement; that acknowledgement is informational rather than a commitment to change code.

The zoning review’s central finding is that Monona’s code is silent on solar: it contains no solar definitions and does not explicitly allow roof- or ground-mounted systems by right. That silence can reduce uncertainty for applicants in some cases, Wyman said, but it also creates unpredictability because staff and applicants lack calibrated standards for common scenarios such as small rooftop installations. SolSmart’s recommended topics include a purpose statement, tailored definitions for accessory roof-mounted systems versus larger ground-mounted or primary-use solar, predictable height and setback rules, and permit/inspection checklists.

Commissioners said they broadly support clarifying standards while avoiding overregulation. Several members asked that rooftop solar remain straightforward for homeowners and that any height allowances not create adverse impacts for neighbors. Chair Moore and others referenced an earlier legal determination discussed at the meeting that, in single- and two-family zoning districts, rooftop solar is not counted in the city’s maximum building height calculation; staff said they would confirm and provide the formal opinion text (Attorney Cole’s determination) as follow-up.

Commissioners also discussed ground-mounted systems, parking-lot-mounted solar and the city’s limited municipal parcels. Some members favored adding modest protections (for example, finish/color requirements for visible arrays or rules about array height adjacent to neighbors), while others said ground-mounted primary-use solar arrays are unlikely in Monona and would require targeted review.

The commission asked staff to work with SolSmart to prepare draft zoning-language options that reflect the commission’s feedback (clarify rooftop allowances, address neighbor impacts, and include guidance on small ground-mounted arrays where appropriate). Zach said SolSmart can review draft language, suggest edits and provide templates (the Dane County model ordinance was provided as an attachment). Thor said staff will coordinate with Zach to prepare draft options for future commission review.

What the presentation does and does not do: SolSmart technical assistance is free to the city and focused on municipal processes and code clarity; SolSmart does not provide property-level accreditation or financial incentives. The PZ-1 review is a bronze-level prerequisite in the SolSmart framework and signing the PZ-1 acknowledgement documents that the review was received, not that Monona is legally committed to adopt every recommended change.

Next steps: Planning staff will work with the SolSmart advisor to draft targeted zoning amendments or a stand-alone solar ordinance for commission review. Staff will also confirm the Attorney Cole building-height determination referenced during the meeting and provide that memorandum to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Plan Commission - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Monona received a SolSmart zoning review that finds the city code silent on solar and recommends adding clear definitions and standards; commissioners supported limited, careful code language to clarify rooftop rules and to protect neighbors while asking staff to work with SolSmart on draft amendments.","taxTitle","Monona, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",70921,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286843,"Plan Commission approves Republic Electric zoning permit and accepts Feb. 10 minutes",549,281000,830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556520-83326b6f71140ebbd96e454afc513fca&start=281&end=830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556520-83326b6f71140ebbd96e454afc513fca/thumbnail_281000.jpg","/articles/6286843/Monona/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Plan-Commission-approves-Republic-Electric-zoning-permit-and-accepts-Feb-10-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286843-b741116d14d7a94da21e902a93eca695/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507923&Signature=nauzOjTUh61yNqeXTXNGxXH6qdwZVcAjYAuhnfeWU28WGDLKfh~aYiXQdahOkAsa72jFEfgDCP4A2sfaDiH3~yX0FYu01qgTTfhv3rezUHcOyUOy7eRMNVAMM3dJ9F8PUJJTzLltsaa4NREKfdliXusxuBTc3UWp0okiW1vrPV-EVtA0zw9PMZk-97tjPE86~pDzCbJDUHTdN839VLvXg0WV5wxk32krjAsgzkBoOxfHkHFJkoMJIpYgIWDj0zV2Fsi3rM197l193jvEYX7wzRv9b-hmgr~st8~DmFxIZuktabVDiawcZOD6gwLTZousXR4LDhmtJtJhXuqzN-dQbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monona Plan Commission on an uncontested voice vote approved minutes from its Feb. 10 meeting and granted a new-use zoning permit to Republic Electric Company for a wholesale HVAC and electrical product distributor at 1206 Fenway Drive (case 2-009-2025). The commission approved the zoning permit with conditions including a formal parking lot striping and repair plan and the addition of two trees on site.

The minutes approval was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote without recorded opposition. No changes were requested to the February minutes during the meeting.

Republic Electric representatives said they had submitted the requested packet and were available to answer questions. Scott Nicoletto, vice president of operations for Republic Companies, told the commission, “I did submit a packet with all of the requested information. I hope that you have that.” Ed Snipe, also with Republic, added, “I don’t have anything to add. I think Scott summarized it very well.”

Staff described the request as a new-use zoning permit for a wholesale distributor of HVAC and electrical products at the vacant 15,750-square-foot building at 1206 Fenway Drive. Staff said the structure contains roughly 1,000 square feet of finished space, about 775 square feet of customer-facing area, and that minor interior renovations are planned. No exterior building changes were proposed other than security lighting and cameras. Hours of operation were listed as 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Under the zoning code, industrial uses including wholesale distributors must provide either a minimum of four parking spaces or one space per full-time employee during a peak shift, plus one space per commercial vehicle stored on-site and one visitor space per 500 square feet of office area. Staff said Republic would employ three full-time employees and store two delivery vehicles, which required seven stalls; the site has nine front parking stalls plus a rear staging area for vehicles.

During discussion commissioners raised landscaping and pavement concerns. Commissioner Chris (Plan Commission member) recommended adding two canopy trees in the front terrace and requested the applicant address deteriorating asphalt and restriping. Chris moved to approve the permit with staff recommendations, including the submission of a formal parking lot striping and repair plan (condition 6), and to add a condition requiring two trees with staff approval of species and locations (condition 7). A second was recorded; the motion carried by voice vote. The commission chair welcomed Republic Electric to Monona after the vote.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes from Feb. 10: Motion carried by voice vote; no changes recorded.
- Republic Electric Company, zoning permit (1206 Fenway Drive; case 2-009-2025): Motion to approve with staff recommendations and two additional trees carried by voice vote. Conditions specified: submission of formal parking lot striping and repair plan for staff review and approval (condition 6) and installation of two trees with staff-approved species and locations (condition 7).

Context and next steps: Staff will oversee review of the required parking plan and verify tree installation per the conditions. No appeals or further hearings on this item were announced at the meeting.","The Monona Plan Commission approved minutes from its Feb. 10 meeting and granted a new-use zoning permit to Republic Electric Company for a wholesale HVAC and electrical product distributor at 1206 Fenway Drive with conditions for parking repairs, striping and added trees.","actionData","errors"]

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Plan Commission reviews SolSmart zoning review; staff to pursue draft solar zoning language

Plan Commission approves Republic Electric zoning permit and accepts Feb. 10 minutes