Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permits Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rushford Village commission recommends Council review after 13.056 kW rooftop array installed without signed permit
Summary
Planning and Zoning recommended the Village Council hold a public hearing and review a corrected permit for a 13.056 kW roof‑mounted PV system for homeowner Debra Kitchens after Pettit reported the array was installed before a signed CRV permit was on file; a $250 late fee was discussed.
The Rushford Village Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 18 to forward to the Village Council a corrected permit application for a 13.056‑kilowatt roof‑mounted solar photovoltaic system installed at a Hillview Drive property without a signed CRV permit.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit told commissioners the initial permit was received Feb. 3 and a corrected application was filed Feb. 5. Because the proposed array exceeds the 7 kW threshold in the local ordinance, Pettit said a public hearing is required before final approval. Pettit said, “I do not have any problem with the permit application; everything appears to follow the ordinance.” He also reported the installation began before a signed permit was in place and that a $250 late fee should apply.
Commissioner Gordon Johnson told the panel that, in his view, a homeowner bears primary responsibility for securing required permits and coordinating with their installer. Johnson said that if a homeowner omitted getting a CRV permit, “that’s on them, not CRV.” Commissioner Glen Kopperud said homeowners and contractors should work together to ensure permit applications are complete.
On a motion by Kopperud, seconded by Hamilton Petersen, the commission carried a motion directing Pettit to bring the corrected permit application to the Village Council with a favorable recommendation and to notify the applicant that a public hearing will be scheduled.
The commission did not record a roll‑call vote in the minutes beyond noting the motion carried. The Council will set the public hearing date and time and is expected to receive Pettit’s recommendation and the corrected permit application at its next meeting.
Background and next steps: CRV Ordinance #5 (solar/energy installations) requires public notice and a hearing for rooftop systems exceeding the village’s 7 kW threshold. Pettit said staff informed the installer (Wolf River Electric) and that the applicant will be notified of the Council’s hearing date. The minutes record a recommended $250 late fee because the system was installed before the signed permit was on file.
