La Grange No Longer Deems Solar Panels Ugly

LA GRANGE, IL – After drawing criticism, La Grange is doing away with some of its restrictions on solar panels for homes.

On Monday, the Village Board voted unanimously to change the regulations.

In a memo, village officials said they found that most towns let solar panels be placed at any elevation on a home, including those visible from the street.

La Grange's old rules appeared to focus on keeping panels out of public view. Officials said the new ones change that.

In November, La Grange's zoning board heard two cases involving solar panels. At the time, the zoning board indicated the two applicants made a compelling case for revising the rules.

The cases went to the Village Board, which approved installations at houses in the 100 block of North Stone Avenue and the 700 block of South 11th Avenue. But those projects were scaled back because of the village's rules.

At a November board meeting, Michael Vimont, who lives in the 11th Avenue house, said the rules are "outdated and detrimental" to residents.

"It's extremely sad and disheartening that a panel of elected officials found solar panels ugly years ago, and now when we need them the most, the code is still in place with restrictions on installations," Vimont said.

Trustees promised to work on changes.