Zoning board delays solar panel decision
JANESVILLE — Janesville residents who want to install a solar panel in their back yard will have to wait another month while the city’s zoning board of appeals gathers more information.
Sharon and Philip Schuman, 1036 Sentinel Drive, are requesting a variance to an ordinance to install a pole-mounted solar panel system about 21 feet tall and 225 square feet in area. Code allows a detached structure to be no more than 14 feet tall.
The city has no ordinance regulating solar devices specifically. Until it does, staff decided it would be best for the Schumans to get a variance.
Staff gave the request a positive recommendation. The zoning board on Tuesday delayed the request.
Three neighbors wrote letters asking the board to deny the request because the structure is too large and could negatively impact the value of their homes, hurt the appearance of the neighborhood and set a bad precedent for future installations.
State statutes limit a city’s authority to regulate solar energy systems, and restrictions can only protect health and safety. They cannot significantly increase the cost of a system or its efficiency and must allow for alternatives of comparable cost and efficiency.
A panel also cannot shade a neighbor’s property.
Vicky Miller, development specialist for the city, said state statutes are not specific as to what a zoning board can regulate.
"Can they limit the size? The height? Where can it be placed? How many solar units (can) a property owner ...have? This will eventually be determined by case law.
"This is not a typical case, and the board isn’t taking their decision lightly," Miller said. "Other communities are watching to see how they handle it.
"Public awareness compels society to ‘go green’ and the collection of solar energy is an evolving technology which will continue to advance," Miller wrote in a memo. "Governing officials will be weighing the importance of energy efficiency and personal rights verses aesthetics and public rights."
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Jan 28, 2009 at 7:26 p.m.
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Sorry folks, but I have to say, let them install it. We are all eventually going to have to get energy by other means sooner or later. WP&L/Alliant wants an emergency increase. We are all paying too much in utilities already. We need alternate energy now!
Jan 28, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.
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The reason that this solar panel is on a pole is so that it turns with the sun so that it captures more of the suns power, this makes it more powerful and it can provide the property more power.
Jan 28, 2009 at 5:36 p.m.
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dudefromjsvl-? I guess you aren't familiar with the way solar energy works. Let me help. Check out: http://www.solar4power.com/solar-power-b... There you can learn all about energy storage (batteries) and devices to change direct current to alternating current (inverters). It's interesting stuff that I'm sure you'll enjoy reading about.
Jan 28, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.
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proartist, solar and wind may be "free", but it's turning them into electricity that costs a bundle. But if somebody wants to put up a non-intrusive solar panel I say let them, key word being non-instrusive (or is that 2 words?). My only question is, why do they want it as a separate pole; why not on the roof? That's where most residential solar panels are installed.
Jan 28, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
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why do you want solar panels. what are you going to do when the sun goes down at night, turn back on the power you "want to conserve" that doesnt make sense. i believe the governemnt should use the money that they currently have and use it to create better things, instead of using the money to research zoo animals in other countries.
Jan 28, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.
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I like the idea in general, but I'm not sure what should be appropriate in a residential neighborhood (although any other type of zoning such as office or commercial should probably be more flexible).
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I think it's good that the city is taking its time to craft an appropriate policy.
Jan 28, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
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Here's an opportunity for Janesville to be ahead of the curve on something, adopting green energy. How about being proactive and updating all zoning to allow various types of green energy now ?
Jan 28, 2009 at 11:08 a.m.
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Another consideration: How will this affect businesses and schools that want to add solar? Can it be implemented and integrated in the designated historic districts? Solar and wind are free, renewable and wise choices for future energy use and the City of Janesville should be encouraging such progressive choices.
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