CITY HALL — The City Council is poised to loosen regulations on solar energy systems, but Mayor Ara Najarian and a group of residents say the move doesn't go far enough.
The City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting new zoning regulations intended to ease restrictions on building a new structure or addition to support solar panels. Council members last week endorsed the proposal, which would allow taller, larger panel structures.
The new rules would provide more flexibility in an effort to ease restrictions on installing the solar energy equipment, city planner Chris Baghdikian said.
But last week Mayor Ara Najarian said the proposal wouldn't go far enough in making sure Glendale codes don't conflict with state law, which states that cities are only allowed to deny solar project applications for health or safety concerns.
"This government code passed by our state legislature ties our hands," he said.
Scott Peer — whose lengthy battle with city officials over his solar system instigated the changes in the first place — argued that the city should eliminate all zoning standards.
