Shorewood adopts zoning change to allow accessory solar on garages, excludes carports

On its second reading the Shorewood Village Board approved an amendment to Title 10 of the village code to permit accessory solar panels on detached garages while excluding carports. Staff explained two principal changes: a clause specifying that electrical wiring for solar must be installed underground to anticipate changes in technology, and expanded language allowing panels on detached garages (not just primary buildings). The staff presentation also recapped planning-and-zoning discussion on defining a garage versus a shed — a garage was described as at least 9 by 18 feet, intended for vehicle storage and accessible to the street.

Trustees debated whether to allow panels on detached garages and whether to treat carports the same as garages. The board settled on allowing garage installations but excluding carports "for the sake of clarity," and added the underground-wiring specification to both the solar and wind sections of the ordinance. One trustee noted a possible nonconforming existing panel on a garage at least one planning commissioner had mentioned; staff said that could be reviewed under code compliance.

A motion to adopt the ordinance as amended was made by Trustee Brockman and seconded by Trustee Amos; the motion passed on a roll call vote. The ordinance includes maintenance and removal language — for example, systems inoperative for an extended period would be subject to removal under the code — but staff noted enforcement would rely on observable disrepair or utility-disconnection information in practice.