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Board allows visible rooftop solar at 912 Don Gaspar, citing city policy to encourage renewable energy
Summary
The board approved an already-installed, flush-mounted rooftop solar array after debates about visibility and code; staff had recommended denial but members cited prior approvals for visible arrays and the city’s interest in solar.
The Historic Districts Review Board voted to approve an exception allowing a rooftop solar array at 912 Don Gaspar Avenue. Staff had recommended denial, noting city design standards that discourage publicly visible rooftop appurtenances on contributing buildings. The applicant’s contractor, representing the homeowner Moses Zamora, described the site constraints and said they placed panels on the least visible roof planes (set back and intended to blend with the dark gray shingles) and had no feasible ground-mount location.
The board debated visibility, panel mounting height (panels will sit close to the roof: approx. 1–3 inches), and precedent: members noted prior approvals on the same street and stressed policy support for renewable energy. Member Beechide moved to approve the exception; the motion carried by roll call. Conditions discussed included minimal mounting, painted conduit and finished colors to minimize contrast and placement on the less-visible plane.
Outcome: Application approved with direction to minimize public visibility and match finishes where possible.
