EASTON, Md.- Many rooftops in Easton are just plain rooftops, but in the near future, some could have solar panels hidden in plain sight. Lynn Thomas, town planner for Easton says the panels were once restricted to neighborhoods.
"Up until a few years ago, solar panels, we didn't see that many. They were permitted as accessories in residential districts and that was pretty much it," said Thomas.
A company in Easton recently asked the town to modify the ordinance, allowing for commercial businesses to also use the panels. In a unanimous decision, the planning board agreed to changes that could allow rooftop panels throughout town. Rooftops could soon be adorned with solar panels but that will come with some restrictions. First of all, you have to make sure your panels are shrouded and hidden from the view of people walking along the sidewalk. Secondly, you have to make sure you are using the electricity generated by those panels and not just feeding it back into the grid.
"It's just to ensure that it is truly an accessory use and to reduce any visual effects there could be," said Thomas.
Business owners like Caryn Luthy at Chef and Shower are glad to see the town adapting to the green technology.
"I think it's a great thing for the town to be concerned about the environment. With a small town, we need to do everything we can to keep up with the times," said Luthy.
The modified ordinance will go in front of the town council next month for a final vote before adoption.