Zionsville council agrees to add language limiting large‑scale wind/solar; debates ADU policy scope

During the April 29 continuation of the comprehensive plan review, Chair (S1) asked whether the plan should explicitly state the town currently does not permit large‑scale wind and solar as a land use. No councilor objected to adding such language; Chair S1 and staff (S7) said they would draft wording and follow up with ordinance language as needed.

Council members also discussed accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Planner S7 clarified that ADUs had been listed as a potential secondary use in mixed‑residential areas, but that the town has not adopted a formal ADU ordinance. Several councilors cautioned that ADU policy needs townwide consistency and guardrails — for example, where ADUs would be allowed and what size or occupancy rules apply — rather than a piecemeal mention in some land‑use categories. “I think any anything we do around ADUs should be consistent within the whole town, not just kind of saying, in mixed residential units, this is where it might work,” Council member (S2) said.

Why it matters: Including an explicit statement on large‑scale wind and solar signals the council's policy intent and frames future ordinance work; ADU policy decisions could affect housing options and neighborhood character if permitted without consistent standards.

Next steps: Staff will draft language for the comp plan stating large‑scale wind and solar are not a permitted land use and will add an action item to develop a townwide ADU approach and guardrails to be considered in subsequent ordinance work.