The Wayland City Planning Commission is working on tweaking the local solar ordinance and finally crafting an ordinance for accessory dwelling units.
The city’s solar ordinance currently does not allow from facing panels at residences, but local officials are learning that such units exist nonetheless and may have an ordinance amendment to allow them.
However, as the insistence of Commissioner Megan Mickelson, solar panels would not be permitted in side yards and well as front yards. They are allowed on roofs and in back yards.
Commissioner Gary Ragan said, “I’d go along with any panel as long as it’s not in the front yard.”
Jason Derry, representing Professional Code Inspections, said it’s not a serious issue in more populated areas in Allegan County, but townships are beginning to field requests.
A hearing on an ordinance amendment could occur as early as February.
City Manager Josh Eggleston told commissioners accessory dwelling units are becoming popular in households to accommodate elderly relatives in separate living quarters, but issues such as parking and lot size need to be addressed as well.
“It’s a trend,” Eggleston said. “But its impact will be felt more in another generation. I think there’s going to be more demand in the future.”
He said the city already permits attached dwelling units, so a new ordinance may be necessary in order to deal with those not attached.
Another issue would surface if the homeowner leaves and tries to sell.
Chairman JD Gonzales noted there was significant support for allowing accessory dwelling units in the city’s recent survey of citizens asking what they’d like to see in the community’s future.
“We need to be progressive and adjust to the need,” he said.
Derry will craft a new ordinance covering the issue.
