With a desire to receive more technical information, the Macomb Planning Commission last week voted to table until October 15 a recommendation on granting a special use allowing rooftop solar panels on the Clean Getaway Car Wash at 1631 East Jackson Street.
Lance Frank, a licensed contractor based in Florida, talked about the rooftop design. He said there would be 100 solar panels, each raised three to five inches above the roof. 'The reflection is not as bad as you'd think,' Frank said.
The contractor then added that an accessory carport would be needed. When commissioners wanted to know more about this, Frank said he would send them sketches to look at if they tabled action on his request to October 15.
Community Development Director Miranda Lambert told the commission that individual homeowners have a right to install solar panels, but businesses are regulated by the city. Commissioner Gale Carper responded, 'I can see why there is not much restriction on residential rooftop solar panels, but what about ground-mounted panels? I would think that could become a neighborhood issue.'
Lambert said rooftop solar activity has begun to slow down in Macomb. Frank said this is probably because grant incentives for solar adoption will expire at the end of the year. City Attorney Lisa Scalf said the state has authority over large-scale solar plans, including requiring the posting of a bond.
