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Council debates ground-mounted solar limits after photo shows 14-foot panels near homes
Summary
Council members debated draft city rules for ground-mounted solar on March 3 after Alderman Bateman presented pictures of a 14-foot, non-tilting ground-mounted installation adjacent to residences. Councilors discussed fence heights, commercial versus residential limits, visual impacts and next steps for the ordinance.
Aldermen discussed revisions to a draft solar ordinance at the Lincoln City Council meeting on March 3 after Alderman Bateman presented photographs of a ground-mounted solar array he said would be 14 feet tall and sit behind a commercial property that abuts residences.
Bateman said the panels in the photograph would be taller than the city’s typical fence height and that the array “is 14 feet in height” and would “abut the residential” area behind a commercial lot. He told the council the draft ordinance previously would have effectively eliminated residential ground-mounted solar because of fencing and setback rules; after feedback the drafters reinserted residential ground mounts but councilors must decide whether to set height limits or screening requirements.
Alderman McClellan clarified that the draft does not eliminate rooftop solar: “If it’s on a building, that’s not what we’re talking about. It’s ground mounted.” Alderman Bridal (surname used in transcript) proposed limiting residential ground-mounted panels to the six-foot maximum rear-yard fence height, saying that if a panel exceeds six feet it would not be allowed for residential lots.
Alderman O'Donoghue argued against overly restrictive rules, saying it can be “a bit hypocritical” to promote solar while limiting what homeowners can place in their yards and adding that a few ground-mounted panels for greenhouse use or similar should be allowed. Alderman Parrott asked whether commercial arrays that border residential lots could be required to meet residential screening standards. Several aldermen raised visual-impact concerns, including glare, dust, animal pests and whether thermal effects could have environmental consequences; one member asked staff to consult the Historic Preservation Commission regarding properties on the National Register.
City staff earlier circulated a second draft of the ordinance; the mayor/presiding officer said additional revisions will be discussed at the next committee-of-the-whole meeting. The council did not vote on ordinance language on March 3; members asked staff to bring back revised language that addresses fence height, screening and whether commercial panels that border residences should conform to residential standards.
Ending: The council will take up the revised solar ordinance at the next committee-of-the-whole meeting; staff and the city attorney will be asked to clarify screening, height limits and historic-property considerations.
