solar energy

The city's zoning ordinance defines solar energy systems by size and provides detailed standards and permitting requirements for each category. It includes definitions for small, medium, and large solar energy systems (§2.02), and permits rooftop small systems with a building permit and ground-mounted small systems with Commission approval in all districts, subject to setbacks and standards, including a prohibition on glare, a stormwater runoff plan for installations greater than 8,000 square feet, and buffering of ground-mounted panels (§13.26). Medium systems are permitted with site plan approval as principal uses in ag, business, and open space districts, subject to standards; systems require a special use permit if placed primarily on prime farmlands (§13.25). Large systems are permitted as special uses in ag, business, and open space districts according to standards (§13.26).