Frontenac Aldermen Send Solar Energy Bill Back to P and Z for More Review

Frontenac residents Tom and Becky Minogue liked what they heard at Tuesday’s board of alderman meeting.

The Minogue family has been petitioning the city for permission to put solar panels on the roof of their home for six months and attended at least five public sessions addressing the topic.

The city council wrestled with the bill establishing an ordinance to add a new section on solar energy to Chapter 405 of the zoning regulations for the city.

“I am very happy. I am optimistic we’re going to get this done,” said Tom Minogue, an attorney by profession. “Our neighbors support this. We have the support of our subdivision to move forward,” said Tom Minogue. His wife, Becky delivered an impassioned address during the public comments portion of Tuesday’s meeting.

She addressed a variety of environmental issues, challenging the board to adopt this bill and support efforts to reduce and eliminate carbon dioxide levels in the community. “Adopting this bill would be a positive step in what we think is a diverse community. It would be positive steps in the right direction to help reduce carbon emissions and help our environment,” Becky Minogue said at the meeting.

“Other communities are starting to get involved (with solar energy programs),” said Alderwoman Margot Martin. “Clayton has started some programs to conserve energy, and Tillis Park is planning to do this too,” she said.

New alderman Bud Guest said this bill is too restrictive. Right now, homeowners may place solar panels only on the south portion of their roofs. If homes do not have face south, they are out luck. “We need to amend this bill. It is too restrictive. I think that homes with gables on the side should be able to have solar panels,” he said.

Mayor Keith Krieg was in agreement with his fellow members. “I agree with Bud Guest, we need to clean up some of the language first. In one form or another, this issue is going back to planning and zoning,” the mayor said.

“I don’t like this when this board tries to write legislation on the fly,” Alderman John Wynne said. Everyone agreed.

By unanimous vote, the aldermen kicked the discussion back to the planning and zoning board. The board may have a special work session to deal with this topic. The board gains four new members at the July meeting.

“Change is good,” said Tom Minogue, who moved from Chesterfield to Frontenac 17 years ago. “My sense is the support is there, and we’re going to get this done. Clearly, supporting efforts to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and helping improving the environment is the right thing to do,” he said.

In other business:

• Frontenac officials recognized DaNae Juhlin, a 22-year veteran of the fire department who was promoted to fire lieutenant.
• By unanimous consent, the board approved a bill establishing a pay scale for all city employees for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
• The mayor was authorized to enter into agreements to provide health insurance programs for the employees of Frontenac and to provide for property, public official liability and commercial insurance for the City of Frontenac.
• The board approved renewing liquor licenses for 13 businesses in the community.