Princeton HPC approves rooftop solar at 33 Lee Avenue after debate over visibility in Witherspoon‑Jackson district

The Princeton Historic Preservation Commission on an administrative application approved rooftop solar panels for 33 Lee Avenue, a house located in the Witherspoon‑Jackson Historic District.

The applicant, Abel Smith, sought permission under the Princeton Land Use Ordinance to mount a mostly dormer‑mounted array of 14 panels (6 kilowatts total), with two panels placed on the original pyramidal roof that could be visible from some points on the street. The commission voted to approve the application by roll call.

Why it matters: The house sits inside the Witherspoon‑Jackson overlay, where changes visible from the public right of way trigger preservation review. The decision illustrates the commission weighing the town’s historic‑preservation standards against residents’ interest in on‑site renewable energy and the Princeton Climate Action Plan goals referenced by the applicant.

Elizabeth (staff member) summarized the application and the commission’s typical concerns, noting the site is in the R‑9T zone and is designated “type 2” for preservation review. She described the proposed system and installation details: the panels are Q‑Tron MG2 series mounted to a railing system; most panels will be on recently constructed dormers and, she said, the dormer arrays are “really not visible” from the public right of way. She also said proposed rooftop hardware and conduit should be black with a matte finish and that any exterior meter or disconnect be located as unobtrusively as possible.

Abel Smith, who identified himself as a Princeton Environmental Commissioner and the property owner, described the project goals and energy needs: "The array is 6 kilowatt. It's 2 of 14 panels. I'm shooting for as many kilowatts as I can get," he said, adding that the house has been electrified and houses electric cars and heat pumps so demand is high. Smith told the commission he had already run conduit internally where possible and intended the enclosures and the revenue meter to be inside the house; he said he planned to “tuck” the solar disconnect behind an existing meter box at the front of the house to minimize exterior visibility.

Commission members asked about production, visibility and precedent. One commissioner asked why the two panels on the third‑floor plane were necessary; Smith replied they help move the household closer to net‑neutral consumption. Multiple commissioners expressed general support for enabling solar where it would not “cause a problem.” Several commissioners and staff noted that the town’s upcoming design guidelines will re‑examine solar guidance for Witherspoon‑Jackson.

The motion to approve the application was made and seconded; the roll call recorded affirmative votes from Miss Satterfield, Mr. Shatkin, Miss Howard, Miss Friedman, Mr. Shore and Chairperson Capizzoli. The application was approved as presented.

The commission and applicant discussed follow‑up details to be handled with permitting: precise mounting and routing of conduits, the finish color for railings and conduit (staff requested black matte), and whether the disconnect and metering equipment will be interior or exterior. Smith told the commission the Enphase load center and kilowatt‑hour revenue meter would be inside and that only the disconnect switch (smaller than the meter) would be exterior and placed adjacent to the existing electric meter in compliance with code.

The commission also reiterated that the town’s design‑guidelines project (to be developed by a consultant) will address solar visibility and may prompt future refinements to how visible rooftop panels are evaluated in historic districts.

Votes at a glance

- Application: 33 Lee Avenue — rooftop solar (Block 6905, Lot 33). Motion: approve application as presented. Mover: (record shows motion made); Second: Charlotte (recorded). Roll call: Miss Satterfield — Yes; Mr. Shatkin — Yes; Miss Howard — Yes; Miss Friedman — Yes; Mr. Shore — Yes; Chairperson Capizzoli — Yes. Outcome: approved.

Proper names and authorities cited in discussion

- Princeton Land Use Ordinance (referenced by staff) - Witherspoon‑Jackson Historic District (municipal overlay)

Ending: The applicant may proceed with the approved installation subject to standard permitting and the submission of final installation and equipment locations to staff; the commission noted townwide design guidelines under development may affect future decisions on visible solar in historic districts.