Florence council asks for local hearing after review of Boone County solar zoning amendments

City of Florence councilmembers reviewed a package of Boone County zoning text amendments that would define and regulate solar energy systems and battery storage facilities and voted to schedule a local public hearing on the plan.

Todd Morgan, who presented the draft amendments to the council, said the Boone County Planning Commission's resolution (R24-36a) recommends amendments to the Boone County Zoning Regulations''including changes described in Article 40, Section 4000; Article 5, Sections 505.1''5; and Article 31, Sections 31.17 and 31.18''to "regulate and define solar energy systems and battery storage facilities and identify zoning districts where such uses are allowed." Morgan gave an overview of the draft code and highlighted requirements for rooftop, integrated, and ground-mounted systems.

The council's planning and zoning committee members said they had reviewed the county draft and added language they considered appropriate for Florence. "We've been looking at this for a while. We've met on it a couple of different times," Pat, a councilmember on the planning and zoning committee, told the council, adding that the committee tailored county regulations to Florence's more urban context.

Why it matters: The county proposal would set uniform zoning text across the Boone County planning unit; Florence officials decided a local hearing is needed because the city wants residents to review Florence-specific additions to the county draft before the council considers whether to adopt the text locally.

Key points from the draft code presented by Morgan: - Rooftop solar: The draft allows rooftop solar as an accessory use in all zoning districts. In commercial, office, industrial, public facilities, airport and Florence Main Street zones, the draft requires rooftop panels to be sited so they are not visible from streets or adjoining properties. The draft also includes limitations on how panels may extend above roof features and requires associated wiring to be concealed or color-coordinated conduit. - Building-integrated systems: Allowed in most zones except the Florence Main Street district; equipment cabinets and inverters should be inside the structure or attached to the side/rear and not visible from public roadways. - Ground-mounted systems (tiers): Tier 1: footprint under 2,500 sq ft (or up to 10% of principal structure roof area) would be allowed as an accessory use in industrial and airport zones and would be a conditional use in agricultural zones (requiring Board of Adjustment review). Accessory ground-mounted systems must be in side or rear yards, not front yards; maximum height 10 feet where the property adjoins residential or agricultural zoning and 20 feet otherwise; wiring must be buried or concealed; decommissioning requires equipment removal within six months. Tier 2 (2,500 sq ft to 5 acres) would not be allowed in the City of Florence. Tier 3 (greater than 5 acres) would also not be allowed in the city.

Council discussion and public comment: Councilmember Angie Chambers asked that Florence hold a local public hearing so residents could review the city-specific provisions; she moved to schedule a hearing. Chambers said she had received multiple constituent inquiries about solar and wanted broader public notice. Naomi Leipson, a resident who addressed the council during public comment, urged the city to embrace solar and asked for the hearing; she said residential solar can cut electric bills and increase property values.

The motion to schedule a Florence public hearing carried on roll call, 6-0. The council recorded the following votes: Miss Wingo 'yes; Miss Chambers 'yes; Mr. Wynne 'yes; Miss Whalen 'yes; Mr. Schneider 'yes; Miss Cable 'yes. Council members said the hearing will be scheduled with attention to timing and will not impede the county process.

Next steps: Councilmembers and staff indicated the public hearing will be scheduled so Florence residents can review the county draft alongside city-specific amendments. The county-level resolution and zoning regulation text remain the primary documents; any final change at the city level will depend on the local public hearing and a subsequent council vote.