On a night when the Allen City Council held public hearings on the city budget and tax rate, the most contentious public comments were reserved for a new ordinance regulating solar panels.

The council passed the ordinance Tuesday permitting solar panels on rooftops as long as the panels don't directly face the street. The ordinance also allows ground-mounted panels behind fences.

Public comments on the ordinance were split between solar-energy proponents who called for striking the restriction on street-facing panels and residents concerned about the panels' perceived aesthetic effect on property values.

The City Council also held public hearings Tuesday on the budget and tax rate, but no residents volunteered to speak at either hearing.

The council will hold another public hearing on the budget Sept. 6, then will vote on the budget and tax rate at its Sept. 13 meeting.