Lincoln Golf Course Solar Panel Plans Raising Ire Of Neighbors

LINCOLN (CBS13) — Giant solar panels that may go up behind homes in a Lincoln retirement community have homeowners losing sleep.

The Lincoln Hills golf course plans to build energy-saving panels at the golf course, but homeowners say it comes at their expense.

Neighbors say it's now a power play, pitting them between against their once-friendly golf course. They say they paid extra for the million-dollar views, but city officials say there's not much the city can do to help.

Jerry Morse and his wife just moved into a Sun City Lincoln Hills retirement home last year. They're now spending their free time fighting the Lincoln Hills Golf Course.

The course owners are planning to install giant solar panels behind their home—about 1,800 panels on two acres of property within the practice facility of the golf course.

Homeowners went before the Lincoln Planning Commission to complain, but there may not be a lot the city can do.

City spokeswoman Jill Thompson says the golf course has every right to build the solar panels, citing the California Solar Rights Act. It limits local governments from preventing any type of solar energy project, unless it poses a health concern.

"UNder state law, we're only able to reject a permit based on whether or not the project adversely impacts our public for health and safety reasons," she said.

But neighbors are arguing just that. They're pushing the golf course owners to consider alternatives such as one at the country club down the street—solar panels in the parking lot that are out of sight, out of mind.

The homeowners say the golf company has not returned calls, and they are prepared to take the issue to court to protect their views. The golf company has not responded to CBS13's requests for comment.