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Commission recommends updates to solar and battery‑storage ordinance, including garage exterior‑wall guidance
Summary
After a public hearing with no speakers, the commission voted to recommend two amendments to the solar and battery energy storage ordinance: additions to prohibited interior locations (including crawl spaces) and consolidated language clarifying permitted outdoor locations and the acceptability of exterior garage walls for permanently installed systems.
Lathrup Village’s Planning Commission on Feb. 17 recommended to city council a set of revisions to the village’s solar and battery energy storage ordinance aimed at safety and clarity.
Staff briefed the commission on two related amendments to Section 5.17 (proposed amendments 5.17.3 and 5.17.4). The changes add crawl spaces to interior locations where battery energy storage systems (BESS) are not permitted, and consolidate permitted‑system language to specify acceptable outdoor siting options, including installation on an exterior wall of an attached garage under defined conditions.
Mr. Kennedy, who presented the item for staff, said the amendments apply to permanently installed battery systems and do not regulate electric vehicles or portable batteries. “These regulations wouldn’t be applicable to electric vehicles or portable generators,” he told the commission.
Commissioners discussed safety and installation best practices, including recommending exterior‑wall placement as preferable to basements and crawl spaces. Commissioners also asked staff to reflect emerging battery chemistries (e.g., lithium iron phosphate) and to consider reasonable alternatives or clarifying language for accessory structures and attached garages.
A motion to recommend Amendment 1 and Amendment 2B (the consolidated permitted‑system language, including exterior‑wall guidance) to city council was moved, seconded and approved. The recommendation will be forwarded to council for final action.
Next steps: staff will transmit the recommended ordinance language to council; any final code changes will become effective only after council approval.
