Old Kings Highway Committee approves multiple COAs; elects chair and vice chair for 2025

The Old Kings Highway Committee of the Town of Yarmouth approved seven certificates of appropriateness and several routine administrative items during its Jan. 27 meeting, including multiple residential solar installations and housing alterations.

Key outcomes at a glance: the committee elected Robert Wilkins chair and Cyndi Acker vice chair for 2025; it approved door and window replacements at 25 Nicholas Drive (application 25A007) and 55 Early Redberry Lane (25A009); it approved a small addition and window replacements at 813 Route 6A (25A010); it approved an accessory dwelling unit addition at 10 Nickerson Farm Way (25A011); and it approved several residential solar projects (applications 25A008, 24A144, 25A005 and 25A006).

Several solar applications drew brief discussion about panel placement, roof color and roof condition. For 48 Rob (application 25A008) Team Sunshine Construction said the project would install 29 panels on the front and rear roofs and that the owner would accept a darker shingle color to reduce panel conspicuity; the committee approved the application.

For 859 West Yarmouth Road (24A144), Trinity Solar moved panels from the front to the rear to address visibility concerns; Trinity’s representative said production would be lower from the rear location (she estimated roughly a 15–20% reduction) but the committee approved the relocated layout.

At 59 Barnacle Road (25A005), Freedom Forever’s representative told the committee the project requires 26 black-on-black panels and that eight must be placed on the front roof because of shading constraints on the east and rear exposures. After approval the committee documented an amendment to reflect that the project would include a reroof and that the owner and agent would confirm roof-material and color (the owner later told the committee he expected an architectural black shingle to match a neighbor; the record shows there was some disagreement between the owner and the solar agent about whether a reroof had been included in the application). The committee approved the application and agreed to record the roof-change amendment.

At 38 Mariners Lane (25A006), Freedom Forever proposed a 20-panel addition to an existing 27-panel system; the committee approved the application and noted panels would be tied into the existing system. Committee members and neighbors also discussed the financial and leasing incentives that drive some homeowners to add panels.

Other approvals included a front-door replacement at 25 Nicholas Drive (25A007) and a plan to replace three patio doors and a bay window at 55 Early Redberry Lane (25A009). Agent George Davis presented a small side addition and window replacements at 813 Route 6A (25A010); the committee approved that application. Rob Nelson represented an application for a connected accessory dwelling unit at 10 Nickerson Farm Way (25A011); the committee approved the plan.

The committee also moved, by motion, to nominate and approve John Grady and John Stewart for appointment by the Select Board as alternate members of the Old Kings Highway Historic District; the committee forwarded that recommendation to the Select Board.

Public comment was limited. David Barr spoke briefly during the 48 Rob and 55 Early Redberry Lane items, noting neighborhood examples of panels; Jared Golan and other residents raised questions about whether a reroof would be performed before solar installation at 59 Barnacle Road and recorded an exchange with the solar contractor about that schedule. The committee decided to document the roof-change amendment in the record so the owner and agent would clarify the work.

All motions recorded in the meeting were taken by voice vote; the committee recorded approvals as passed during the Jan. 27 hearing.