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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022724 Special Session HPC Meeting Packet- Added After MeetingCity of Port Townsend Design Guidelines for Solar installations On Historic Structures Purpose These Design Guidelines are established for the following purposes: To supplement land use regulations which encourage and promote public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Port Townsend. 2. To provide guidance to uAan for design decisions that will promote development of high environmental and visual quality and historical character throughout the City. 3. To assist applicants in the preparation of development applications. 4. To provide for administrative review by the Development Services Department (DSD) of routine window solar device permit applications that satisfy guidelines adopted by the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) and the City Council. Introduction Across the nation, there is a rapidly growing trend toward retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient. These efforts have seen solar panels and other solar devices, such as radiant water heaters, becoming increasingly popular as the use of alternative energy sources become more readily available to the general public. When planning the installation of solar panels, the overall objective is to preserve character - defining features and historic fabric while accommodating the need for solar access to the greatest extent possible. All solar panel installations must be considered on a case by case basis recognizing that the best option will depend on the characteristics of the property under consideration. For purposes of these guidelines, the term "solar devices" shall include solar panels, solar water heaters, photovoltaic shingles, and any other installation that uses solar energy for mechanical or electrical purposes. Review Process I. All solar device installations on historic residences designated as Secondary contributing structures shall be reviewed administratively by DSD staff with a decision made by the DSD Director. 2. Except where the guidelines below provide for administrative review, solar device installations on all other structures subject to PTMC 17.30 (i.e. Pivotal and Primary residences; all other commercial, public, religious and maritime trade buildings within the historic overlay district; other structures determined by DSD to be historic that lie outside the historic overlay district) shall be subject to Type I -A review and recommendation by the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) with a final decision made by the DSD Director in a formal Certificate of Review. Design Guidelines fog°Solar Installations Guidelines 1. Installation of a solar device on a historic building is permitted only after other locations on the subject property, such as an accessory outbuilding (whether historic or non - historic), have been investigated and determined infeasible. 2. Where possible, solar devices shall be installed in a compatible location on the site or on a non -historic building or addition where it will have minimal impact on the historic building and its site. 3. Solar device(s) shall be installed on a historic building so that it is not visible or only minimally visible from the public right of way. For example, on a flat roof set solar panels back to take advantage of a parapet or other roof feature to screen solar panels from view; or on a secondary slope of a roof, out of view from the adjoining public rights-of-way. 4. On pitched roofs, solar roof devices shall be installed flat or parallel to the roof to reduce visibility. 5. Solar device installations on the flat roofs of brick commercial buildings within the historic overlay district shall be reviewed administratively by the DSD Director. In these cases, solar devices may be installed at no more that 40° so long as the applicant demonstrates that doing so will not cause the installation to be visible from the adjoining rights-of-way. 6. Freestanding or detached on-site solar devices shall be installed in locations that minimize visibility from the public right of way- and from neighboring properties. These systems shall be screened from the public right of way with materials elsewhere in the district such as fencing or vegetation of suitable scale for the district and setting. Placement and design shall not detract from the historic character of the site or destroy historic landscape materials. Gonsi6k-i rt;,,n 40 4114-o WNihilio, oar ft eestrn6414g NO/Oil6k-Viee 7. Solar device frame work and mounting systems shall be of a non -reflective color, such as an anodized finish, that is compatible in color to established roof materials. Mechanical equipment associated with the solar device system shall be treated as unobtrusive as possible. 8. Trees in city right-of-way shall be preserved consistent with City code and not be topped or removed to improve solar access to a property. 2 Design Guidelines fog°Solar Installations Richard Berg, HPC past chairperson Feb. 26, 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update: Thoughts/ideas Community Direction Statement: Under "a community with a sense of history and Place": Revise the first sentence to read: Founded in 1851, the City harbors a National IL..aigaJirnai-k Historic District and a wealth of superb Victorian era homes, (:,oirnirner(,l4, ami :)uilkti gs, some of WNkh are recognized on the National Historic Register. Land Use Element: Under Land Use Goals and Policies, add a policy that says: Encourage the maintenance, re -use, and improvement of existing historic structures, both within the National Landmark Historic District and throughout the other areas of the town. Under "Residential Lands", add a policy that says: Encourage the preservation of existing historic residential structures. Under "Commercial Lands", add a policy that says: Encourage the preservation of existing historic commercial and civic structures. Housing Element: Under "Housing Affordability", add a policy that says: Encourage the preservation of existing large historic homes by allowing conversion to multi -family use, or as boarding or rooming houses with shared kitchen and common areas. Under "Housing Condition", consider a policy that would promote this idea somehow: For historic structures that are either residential or contain a residential use, or with the potential to contain a residential use, that are in deteriorating condition: create a program that would allow the City to order a report, and if justified, the City could condemn and seize such buildings. The City would auction the building to potential buyers that demonstrate interest and means to renovate the building. The proceeds of the auction would go to the former owner, minus the cost of City expenses. Economic Develor)ment Element: Under Goals and Policies, "Economic Development — Generally", add a policy: Recognize the importance of Port Townsend's National Landmark Historic District, and the City's inventory of historically significant houses and buildings, as one driver of economic development for for the City of Port Townsend, and surrounding areas. Under "Commercial Historic District Revitalization": Revise Policy 7.3 to read: Policy 7.3: Encourage the rehabilitation, renovation, and adaptive reuse of the elisVang Vbulilt enVironinent in the Downtown and UIIAown coininei diA &sh Iicts, undu&ng the siignIificanV: INistoilic Vbulill&ngs. li) Ilxxirt: cuair, a ncouirage the i enovaHon and use of the upper floors of historic buildings (e.g., for artist studios, permanent housing, and office space), which will contribute to the vitality of the area. Revise Policy 7.7 to read: Policy 7.7: Recd „nze that the chairacteir of the CoinineirxliA III IistoiJc MstiJcts consists of the ei)Hira Nistoi Ic buiR ani, Vi oninent, i not u s the Vbulill&ngs. Ensure that in additi on to ieslh ectx ing the INistoic chairacteir of the &sh Ict, G,....,... e-Feial H;ste-r;e—Pistri + public improvements accomplish the following objectives: encourage pedestrian movement through the district and into shops and businesses, and support, rather than overshadow, downtown functions. Generally, and specifically in the section "Commercial Historic District - Implementation", change the wording of "Commercial Historic District" to "Commercial Historic Districts" since there are two: Downtown and Uptown.