Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council tables rooftop-solar rules after questions about color, glare and missed public comments
Summary
Council members delayed a vote on a rooftop-solar ordinance (Bill 3059) after residents raised concerns about how 'glare' and 'comparable color' would be measured and reported written comments that staff had not received; the measure was tabled for further review.
The Olivette City Council on March 24 tabled a proposed ordinance that would add administrative approval standards for residential rooftop solar panels, saying staff should collect outstanding written comments and clarify language about color and glare.
Carlos Trejo, the city’s director of planning and community development, said the ordinance would add rooftop solar as an acceptable material finish and allow staff to administratively approve panels that meet existing "comparable" color standards used elsewhere in the municipal code. "Comparable is used 15 times in our municipal code," Trejo said, adding that administrative approval would speed permitting for ordinary installations and that unusual panel colors would still proceed to the community design review board.
But residents and some council members said more detail is needed. "How is glare defined and measured?" asked resident Stephanie Todd, who said she and at least three others had submitted written comments online but believed the city did not receive them. "The ordinance states limits on direct glare to adjacent property — I don't know how you would even evaluate this requirement," she said, urging removal of the glare standard and warning that strict color requirements could force homeowners toward more expensive, less-efficient colored panels.
Several council members said they had not received some public communications and wanted staff to gather and present any outstanding written comments before deciding. Council member Pashawn Hellman moved to table the item and bring it back for further discussion; the motion passed unanimously (Lewis—Yes; Hellman—Yes; Solomanoff—Yes; Mayor Clark—Yes).
What happens next: Council directed staff to collect the public comments and consider language edits that preserve the ordinance’s intent — to expedite routine solar installations — while clarifying how design standards such as color and glare will be evaluated. The item will return to a future meeting for another reading and possible action.
