VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 3, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Lowery, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Tao Martinez, Trustee Mark Guethle, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief David Fisher, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
1. SOLAR PANEL TEXT AMENDMENT
Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth stated that the intent of the ordinance is to make sure that solar panels are not a visual nuisance. The village is seeing more permits for solar panels, however, a lot have been denied since the ordinance states that the panels cannot cover more than 25% of the roof area. This has gone to the Plan Commission for amendment. It will remain as before where the solar panels cannot be placed on the front of the house or on a roof pitched toward a right-of-way. However, the remaining roof area can be covered at 100%.
Trustee Lowery said that he was very much in favor of allowing solar panels on all surfaces of residential roofs. Lowery said that as we progress in the future, we will have to rely on energy that is not fossil fuel based. On an aesthetic basis, Lowery said he was not sure he would agree to limit the placement of the panels. Lowery asked that the trustees keep an open mind to allow for these solar panels to be mounted on the front of houses as well as the back. Toth noted that technology shows that the solar panels work best when mounted on the southern elevation of a home.
Trustee Curtis said she would like to be respectful of the neighbors and would prefer to take small steps in allowing the solar panels. Curtis said she has seen a lot of houses out west that have large panels and she would not want to look at those from her home. Curtis suggested allowing 50% roof area coverage of the rear roof line for now.
Trustee Guethle asked how many permits for solar panels have been requested in the village. Toth said he has received between 10 and 15.
Trustee Carroll said he is in favor of solar panels. However, if the panels work best on the southern exposure and a house faces south, that homeowner would be forced to request a variance. Carroll said he believes in clean energy and the Village could be very progressive as a community in promoting this along the Fox Valley. The rest of the Board was in favor of solar panels as proposed.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Curtis. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
