(Feb. 16, 2017) Prices keep falling as alternative energy-system usage keeps rising, and the Pocomoke City Council made changes to its code to make the transition even easier, following a public hearing on the matter last Monday.
The change was no trivial matter, as at least 10 sections of the city zoning code were altered to accommodate solar panels.
Previously, solar equipment required a special exception to the zoning code, which required an appearance before the Board of Zoning appeals and possibly, for the petitioner, the services of an attorney.
City Manager/City Attorney Ernie Crofoot said during the meeting the costs of getting the exception could run as high as $600. This figure likely includes the $350 fee associated with requesting a zoning exception the town charges.
Now as an accessory use, City Clerk Carol Sullivan said, the costs involved only getting a building permit. Building permit costs, in Pocomoke City, are based on a percentage of the costs of the construction, with a minimum charge of $75. No hearings before the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission or City Council are required, Sullivan said.
The changed code states the town’s preference for roof-mounted solar energy equipment, so long as it does not increase the height of the principal structure it’s attached to. Also, such equipment is prohibited, under normal circumstances, from being placed in the front-yard setback. The town’s zoning administrator can overrule the code in this instance if it’s found to be adequately screened from neighbors’ views and glare from the devices does not negatively impact passing vehicle traffic.
Ground-mounted solar panels require fencing or vegetative screening to be installed. Vegetative screening has a specific definition when it comes to zoning, and is different from another similar requirement, vegetative buffering. Essentially, vegetative screening is a complete block, unable to be seen through with the naked eye. Buffers are intended to allow a certain amount of visibility, and are a step down from vegetative screening.
As for fencing, natural colors are preferred by the town.
The affected zoning designations are R1, R2, R3, B1 and B2. No change was made to the M1 light industrial district, except for the removal of the Board of Zoning Appeals requirement, streamlining the process into something closer to the residential rules.
The change was no trivial matter, as at least 10 sections of the city zoning code were altered to accommodate solar panels.
Previously, solar equipment required a special exception to the zoning code, which required an appearance before the Board of Zoning appeals and possibly, for the petitioner, the services of an attorney.
City Manager/City Attorney Ernie Crofoot said during the meeting the costs of getting the exception could run as high as $600. This figure likely includes the $350 fee associated with requesting a zoning exception the town charges.
Now as an accessory use, City Clerk Carol Sullivan said, the costs involved only getting a building permit. Building permit costs, in Pocomoke City, are based on a percentage of the costs of the construction, with a minimum charge of $75. No hearings before the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission or City Council are required, Sullivan said.
The changed code states the town’s preference for roof-mounted solar energy equipment, so long as it does not increase the height of the principal structure it’s attached to. Also, such equipment is prohibited, under normal circumstances, from being placed in the front-yard setback. The town’s zoning administrator can overrule the code in this instance if it’s found to be adequately screened from neighbors’ views and glare from the devices does not negatively impact passing vehicle traffic.
Ground-mounted solar panels require fencing or vegetative screening to be installed. Vegetative screening has a specific definition when it comes to zoning, and is different from another similar requirement, vegetative buffering. Essentially, vegetative screening is a complete block, unable to be seen through with the naked eye. Buffers are intended to allow a certain amount of visibility, and are a step down from vegetative screening.
As for fencing, natural colors are preferred by the town.
The affected zoning designations are R1, R2, R3, B1 and B2. No change was made to the M1 light industrial district, except for the removal of the Board of Zoning Appeals requirement, streamlining the process into something closer to the residential rules.