The Brentwood Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 10 voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Aldermen adopt a text amendment clarifying how solar energy systems are treated as accessory structures under Section 402.1 of the city zoning code. Commissioner Lisa Sherring moved the recommendation; Commissioner Sherry Bilderback seconded. The commission will forward the amendment to the Board of Aldermen for final action at its Oct. 6 meeting.

Planning staff Whitney Kelly presented revised language replacing the term "solar collectors" with the industry-standard "solar energy systems" and setting design standards. Kelly said the draft requires that rooftop solar panels and all connectors and metal trim be dark bronze or black to minimize glare, that panels be flush-mounted and not project vertically above a roof peak, and that equipment be screened by parapets or other means unless an exception is approved by the Architectural Review Board (ARB) or the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Why it matters: the amendment aims to balance the rapid adoption of rooftop solar with neighborhood aesthetic standards. Commissioners noted state law constrains local authority over residential solar installations but agreed local standards can address visual impacts on neighboring properties.

Commissioner Matt Foreman noted state statute protections for residential solar: "we're actually not we're actually not allowed to deny them installing it because of state statutes," he said, adding that standards remain useful to address aesthetic impacts. Kelly said the proposed language mirrors standards already used by the ARB for residential projects while tailoring review authority so commercial projects would come to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

After brief discussion, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the text amendment as presented. The motion recorded yes votes from Commissioners Mark Fivaza, Jeff Moore, Lisa Sherring, Sherry Bilderback, John Ritter, Matt Foreman and Carl Carlin. Staff said the recommendation will go to the Board of Aldermen at the Oct. 6 meeting.

The commission also discussed the need to monitor evolving technology (for example, changing lighting and mounting products) and flagged the potential for future code updates to clarify acceptable materials and mounting methods. No public comments were made on the item at the meeting.