Past issues of solar panel installation in Town and Country and the lack of a city ordinance pertaining to solar energy systems, has the City of Town and Country putting a plan in place.

Members of the Town and Country Planning and Zoning Commission have been working to develop a proposed city ordinance regarding solar panels.

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"We're supportive of the systems. What we're wanting to do is give residents some direction of what is permitted so they have guidelines to follow," Alderman Fred-Meyland Smith tells Town and Country - Manchester Patch. He also sits on the planning and zoning commission and said he worked closely with commissioners Dennis Bolazina and Gary Omell, plus Town and Country Planning Director Sharon Rothmel, to develop the plan.

Alderman and Mayor Jon Dalton decided the city needed an ordinance after issues arose over the last couple of years with solar panels and a resident's home. 

"I do think it's a good move. There is increasing demand for alternative energy systems," Rothmel tells Town and Country - Manchester Patch.

Rothmel said the city wants to promote the use of solar energy systems in a reasonable manner that also protects residents.

Meyland-Smith tells Patch, the proposed plan would allow resident's to install two types of solar panels, roof mounted and ground, but the city prefers the roof mounted an will allow ground panels when a roof system is not an option for a homeowner.

"There's a preference for a roof mounted, so that it's part of the structure of the house and if it's not part of the structure of the house then it's kind of unsightly to be on the ground, in my opinion. So there's definitely a visual preference for it to be a roof structure," Bolazina tells Patch. "When they utilize the ground-mounted installation. It will only be allowed within the green space requirements of the city's  zoning ordinance. "

A public hearing is scheduled on the proposed ordinance at the Sept. 24 board of aldermen meeting. Aldermen could vote on the issue as soon as the Oct. 8. board of aldermen meeting.

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