Feb 2, 2008 5:43 pm US/Central
Owner's 'Green' Efforts Run Into Dallas Red Tape
Solar Panel Request Prompts Businessman To Call City's Policies From The Dark Ages
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The owner of Clean Air Gardening wants to put solar panels on the front and roof of the building where is does business because there is so much sun exposure.
He says, however, the City of Dallas has given him the runaround.
"I really believe in renewable energy and solar power," Lars Hundley says.
"We sell eco-friendly lawn and garden products all over the country."
In his warehouse, he uses LED lights and even an electric fork lift.
"Sustainability is really important to us."
Hundley says his latest efforts to be green has run into red tape.
"I'm completely blown away."
Hundley says when he approached the City of Dallas to get a permit, officials asked for architectural drawings and an engineer's stamp, which cost an additional $1,500.
"I can't imagine that it takes an engineer to figure out that 300 pounds of solar panels are not going to cave in a roof," he bemuses.
Hundley contacted his City Councilperson, Angela Hunt, who agrees the city should try to make it easier to install the panels.
"It sounds like the city is asking him to jump through a number of hoops to get this permit," the councilwoman says.
She asked the city manager to look at changing the policies.
"Please be a little bit patient with the city as we try our best to create a policy that's helpful to residents and not the hindrance," she adds.
Hundley hopes it will become easier for others to get the green light on projects like his.
"It makes no sense to me because Dallas talks about sustainability," he adds.
Other cities in Texas and around the country simply require electrical permits to install solar panels.
Dallas will study other cities' policies as they make changes to theirs, officials say.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
