Neighbors irked by proposal to install large solar panels at Luther President's house

The proposed solar panels would have been similar in size to solar panels near the Decorah Swimming Pool

The Decorah Board of Adjustment has voted 5-0 to deny an application by Luther College for a variance that would have allowed it to install two large pole-mounted solar panels at the Luther President's House.

Luther Facilities Services Director Jay Uthoff told the board members that donors had given money to the college to pay for a solar energy project.  College officials looked at installed the two solar panels--more than 16 feet wide by 16 feet tall--behind the President's House, but using the Luther Prairie was rejected by the Biology Department, while using the back of the yard of the President's House was rejected, said Uthoff, because it would block the view of people coming to the house for dinners and other events.

That statement did not sit well with Board of Adjustment member Sue Sander, who said, "You're worried that the president will have to look at it (the solar panels), but you're not worried that the neighbors will look at it."

Four neighbors on Ridge Road spoke to the Board of Adjustment about their opposition.  Mike Smock echoed Sander's remarks, saying that the people who would get the advantage out of the solar panels don't want to look at it.  Renee Smock told Board of Adjustment members "I don't want my guests to see it when I'm entertaining, either."  Rick Valley and Francis Peterson each commented that it would be a mistake to locate the solar panels in the front yard of the house.

Following the public hearing, the board quickly moved to a vote, with all five members voting to deny Luther College's request.