Residents ask commission to require glare study and stronger setbacks for proposed solar

Nearby homeowners told the commission they are worried that community solar proposed near Lincoln Park Drive would be too close to houses and could reduce property values or change neighborhood character. Noelle Butler, a nurse who said she attended a developer meeting, urged the commission or city council to require a glare study and to set meaningful residential setbacks before annexation or project approval. "I just don't think I can get on board with that," Butler said after describing a proposed eight‑foot fence with solar panels potentially visible above it.

Shirley Mosley, who has lived on Lincoln Park Drive for more than four decades, told commissioners she is "not against solar" generally but said she would "hate to see it... not in my backyard," pointing to traffic and the area’s boulevard and park features. Deborah Florio, who said she cleans trash from the field now, asked who would keep the fence line and perimeter clean once an installation is in place. Residents repeatedly contrasted county setback practice (they reported roughly 200 feet in one county example) with city zoning rules that can allow much smaller setbacks in some districts.

Staff responded that setback requirements depend on the zoning district that applies after annexation and that the special‑use/site‑plan review would require landscape plans, fencing, manufacturer specifications, maintenance obligations and a decommissioning plan. Residents asked the commission to flag the questions to council so citywide setback policy could be clarified prior to, or as part of, the council consideration of annexation.