Height Regulation
Approximately forty local landowners, along with other interested citizens who appreciate the potential of well-regulated solar have formed a group we call Limestone Solar.
We have identified 38 changes to improve the JPC’s Sept 2021 draft solar ordinance. These changes are modeled on the KY Model Solar ordinance and the Dec 2020 draft solar ordinance circulated by Judge Pfeffer.
This page discussed only the Height Regulation
The Oct 2021 Draft proposed – “414.10 OTHER APPLICABLE STANDARDS
C. Height Requirments
- Ground Mounted SES shall not exceed twenty (##) feet in height as measured from the highest natural grade below each solar panel without approval by the Board of Adjustment or other authority having jurisdiction. The height restriction excludes utility poles, storage batteries, substation structures, and antennas constructed for the project. A Ground Mounted SES may exceed twenty (##) feet in height upon a finding that the SES would be more productive, use less land, or provide other environmental, economic, or other benefits if the height limitation is increased.
- Rooftop SES shall conform to any height restrictions for roof-mounted mechanical devices or equipment for the applicable zoning district and may exceed the maximum permitted height for the structure type by no more than five (#) feet. A rooftop SES shall be positioned on the roof so as not to extend above or beyond the edge of any ridge, hip, valley, or eave, provided that where it is mounted on a sloped roof, the SES shall not vertically exceed the highest point of the roof to which it is attached by more than five (#) feet.
Since no rationale has been given to move away from the Ky Model Solar ordinance we favor their height recommendations.
414.10 OTHER APPLICABLE STANDARDS
C. Height Requirments
- Ground Mounted SES. A Ground Mounted SES shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height as measured from the highest natural grade below each solar panel without approval by the Board of Adjustment or other authority having jurisdiction. The height restriction excludes utility poles, storage batteries, substation structures, and antennas constructed for the project. A Ground Mounted SES may exceed twenty (20) feet in height upon a finding that the SES would be more productive, use less land, or provide other environmental, economic, or other benefits if the height limitation is increased.
- Rooftop SES shall conform to any height restrictions for roofmounted mechanical devices or equipment for the applicable zoning district and may exceed the maximum permitted height for the structure type by no more than five (5) feet. A rooftop SES shall be positioned on the roof so as not to extend above or beyond the edge of any ridge, hip, valley, or eave, provided that where it is mounted on a sloped roof, the SES shall not vertically exceed the highest point of the roof to which it is attached by more than five (5) feet.
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