Council caucus reviews solar and battery storage zoning changes; public raises affordability and surveillance concerns

Council considered Resolution R24036, a Boone County Planning Commission text amendment that would revise local zoning rules for solar energy systems and battery energy storage. Planning staff summarized public hearing input and the Planning & Zoning committee’s changes, and a member of the public urged the city to weigh costs and privacy implications.

Mister Morgan said the committee revised the zoning text to allow integrated solar energy systems as either principal or accessory uses and clarified the definition: solar materials incorporated into a structure such that they are reasonably indistinguishable from traditional building components. The committee also reinforced a requirement for roof‑mounted panels to be flush mounted on pitched roofs (panels should not extend above ridgelines) and clarified when raised panels or carport/ground‑mounted integrated systems are permitted. The staff summary also addressed battery storage definitions and emergency shutoff considerations and said small integrated walkway lights would be allowed while singular yard panels would remain prohibited under the draft ordinance.

During public comment, Zeb Gentry said some ordinance requirements—matching conduit paint, screening or fencing and certain concealment rules—could raise costs and make rooftop solar less affordable for homeowners. He also urged council to review the city’s use of Flock Safety license‑plate reader cameras, citing recent reporting and litigation (he referenced Institute for Justice litigation involving Norfolk) and arguing the technology raises Fourth Amendment privacy concerns. Gentry asked the city to consider alternative ALPR vendors and to discuss Flock Safety procurement and policies in light of those concerns; he did not report a specific decision by council at caucus.