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Council sends Chapter 1276 draft on solar and alternative energy to Planning Commission for review
Summary
Council discussed a multi-year draft of Chapter 1276 on alternative-energy facilities — adding equipment labeling, screening requirements, glare protections and a prohibition on advertising — and voted to forward the draft to the Planning Commission under Chapter 1256 review timelines.
A Walton Hills council member at the June 27 special meeting reviewed the history and content of a draft ordinance (Chapter 1276) that would regulate alternative-energy facilities, including roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar arrays.
The speaker recounted that consultant George Smear prepared the original draft in 2021 and the infrastructure committee and planning staff reviewed successive revisions. The draft adds two principal changes to the proposed code: requiring labeling and secured electrical/control equipment to prevent unauthorized access, and applying screening standards consistent with Chapter 1298; it also would require solar panels to be installed to avoid glare or reflection on adjacent properties and rights-of-way and would prohibit advertising visible from off-premises.
Council members discussed whether the draft must return to the Planning Commission for formal review under Chapter 1256. The body approved a motion to send the draft Chapter 1276 to the Planning Commission for review; a council member said they would email the document to the commission and notify its members of the request. The council discussed statutory review time frames (30–60 days) and the next steps for public hearings and subsequent council action depending on Planning Commission feedback.
The discussion emphasized signage, screening, and safety provisions in the draft and requested that planning staff and the commission confirm compliance with current state law and local chapters before returning a recommendation to council.
