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Council approves special use permit for ground‑mounted solar array, asks administration to craft guidance
Summary
Council granted a special use permit to Benjamin and Amanda Milliron for a ground‑mounted solar array (Ordinance 1‑15‑2025) and asked administration to return with proposed guidance and possible coordinated rules with the township for future applications.
Council approved a special use permit allowing a ground‑mounted solar energy system at 5916 Main Street after planning commission recommendation, and members asked administration to prepare broader guidance for such arrays.
Councilor discussion focused on site visits, visual impacts for neighbors and the role of trees and screening over time. Marcus Hanson and multiple council members described visiting the Milliron property and a neighboring residence; some members noted that from certain vantage points the panels can be visible over fences but that planned vegetation should mitigate views as it matures. One councilor highlighted that the installed array is designed to be recyclable and bonded so a future homeowner could have it removed at no cost.
Council approved Ordinance 1‑15‑2025 as an emergency measure to grant the Milliron application. At the added agenda item (13a), council discussed whether the city should keep handling such installations via the special use permit process or consider zoning changes, and asked administration and the law director to work with the township and bring options back in the spring for wider discussion.
Next steps: Administration will draft potential guidance and coordinate with township officials; council members indicated they expect to revisit the topic in a future zoning or committee meeting.
