Monona staff to present SolSmart zoning review to planning commission; committee weighs streamlining solar permits and promotion

City staff said a SolSmart review of Monona’s zoning code identified multiple opportunities to make solar installations clearer and easier, and the Sustainability Committee discussed next steps—including a March planning commission presentation and concurrent homeowner promotion.

Thor described SolSmart’s memo, which scores Monona’s zoning on solar friendliness and recommends changes such as adding a purpose statement and definitions for rooftop versus ground‑mounted systems, allowing rooftop and accessory ground‑mounted solar by right in selected zoning districts, clarifying whether solar counts toward building height limits, and adding administrative permitting thresholds for commercial installations.

Thor and committee members said Monona currently has no codified solar subsection; rooftop solar has generally proceeded through building permits but sometimes triggers discretionary review in commercial districts that require plan commission review. Committee members and staff argued that codifying clear dimensional and permitting standards could streamline reviews—especially for commercial building owners who now may face uncertainty and discretionary approval delays.

Committee members flagged two constraints to any code change: (1) state law limits how local governments may regulate solar (committee members summarized the standard exceptions: public safety, significant cost increases, or an alternative of comparable cost/efficiency); and (2) Dane County’s model ordinance and SolSmart recommendations should be cross‑checked for state compliance. Thor said he will present the SolSmart memo to the planning commission at its March 10 meeting and that staff could return to the committee on March 6 with a narrowed list of recommended code changes.

The committee also discussed outreach to promote solar uptake while federal and state tax credits still exist. Members suggested inviting group‑buy programs (Madison’s group buy and Legacy Solar) to present to Monona residents and developing promotional messaging emphasizing available tax credits and group buy options. Ken and other members offered to help gather case studies of local commercial installations and to pursue concurrent outreach while zoning changes advance.

No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the committee asked staff to prepare prioritized options for the committee’s March meeting and to coordinate with the planning commission process.