North Augusta zoning board continues review of car-wash solar panels after owner raises signature concerns

The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on June 3 voted unanimously to continue consideration of a special-exception request for rooftop and canopy photovoltaic panels at the Sparkle Express car wash at 2204 Edgefield Road.

The request (ZE-25-008), filed by Sonora Solar Energy Engineering LLC, sought approval under Table 5.1 and Section 5.5.7 (Energy Generation, Small Scale) of the North Augusta Development Code to install a solar support structure and roof-mounted panels on an existing car-wash site on about 0.93 acres in the GC (General Commercial) zone. The board moved to continue the matter after the property owner said he had not been contacted and that the application did not contain his signature.

Gary Richardson, property owner and president of Sparkle Express Real Estate, told the board he owns 2204 Edgefield Road and the adjacent lot and that he sold the car-wash operations about a year ago but remains the landlord. "I certainly want to know what long term effects this would have on the property," Richardson said, adding that his lease requires tenants to obtain the landlord's prior written approval "prior to any exterior alterations" and that the tenant had not followed that process. Richardson said the signature on the application was not his and that he had not authorized the filing.

City staff told the board their records showed the form as submitted and that staff had proceeded on the apparent owner's permission. A staff member, Garrett, said the application "is not moved forward with the proper signatures that it should have had" and asked for time to correct documentation and obtain the owner's authorization or withdrawal.

Board members questioned whether additional sites operated by the same company might have similar filings. Richardson said he had learned the company had identified nine locations for similar work and asked staff to check whether proper procedures were followed elsewhere.

With those issues unresolved, the board approved a motion to continue the special-exception request. The motion was seconded by Bill Burkhalter; the board voted unanimously in favor with one member absent. The board did not make a decision on the merits of the solar installation.

The continued item is ZE-25-008, Sonora Solar Energy Engineering LLC on behalf of Sparkle Express, for rooftop and canopy photovoltaic systems at 2204 Edgefield Road in the GC zoning district. Staff said it will follow up to confirm property-owner authorization and correct application records before the board takes further action.