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Yakima commission approves certificate for solar panels at 1887 church
Summary
The Yakima Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness for solar-panel installation and limited interior work at a church at 5 South Natchez Avenue, with the commission saying the proposal preserves the building's historic exterior.
The Yakima Historic Preservation Commission on March 13 unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing solar panels to be installed and limited interior remodeling at a church located at 5 South Natchez Avenue, while leaving the 1887 primary church structure unaltered.
Commission members said the proposal retains the historic character of the property and avoids changes to distinctive exterior materials and spatial relationships that define the original building.
Commission staff and applicants described the site as an 1887 church with an auxiliary building that was remodeled and expanded in the 1950s. The application proposes mounting solar panels on both a flat roof and a pitched roof on the auxiliary building and performing interior remodeling; the proposal states the original 1887 church structure itself would not be modified. The commission's approval recommendation in the meeting packet indicated the property "meets standards for rehabilitation" so long as the historic character is retained and distinctive materials and features are not removed or altered.
Commission discussion was brief. One commissioner observed the church is the oldest in town and several members described the solar installation as a beneficial measure that could help with future community needs. No commissioner requested changes to the submission during the meeting.
A motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness was moved and seconded during the meeting and passed unanimously. The motion and second were recorded but the transcript did not identify the members who moved and seconded by name. Four commission members were recorded present at roll call earlier in the meeting. The commission chair or staff indicated next steps for the applicant would be communicated the following business day.
The approval applies only to the scope described in the application packet: solar panels on the auxiliary building's flat and pitched roofs and unspecified interior remodeling that does not alter the 1887 church exterior. The transcript did not specify permits, contractors, estimated costs, installation timeline, or whether additional city permits beyond the certificate are required.
