Planning commission approves rooftop solar for John Gum building at 251 St. Helen Street

The St. Helens Planning Commission voted to approve a historic resource review allowing a photovoltaic array on the roof of the county-owned John Gum building at 251 St. Helen Street.

Staff told the commission that the John Gum building, a designated local landmark dating to 1919 that Columbia County purchased in 2021 and renovated in 2024, is subject to the city’s historic alteration criteria (SHMC17.36.043) and that the applicant’s proposal addresses approval criteria A–L. A staff presenter noted a clerical zoning error in the written report (incorrectly listed as the Holton Business District) and said the error would be corrected in the record.

“My review indicates the proposed arrays are largely obscured from view and the criteria are addressed,” the staff member said, adding that photos included in the staff report show screening by surrounding trees and roof parapet.

Applicant Brendan Hart, an architect representing Columbia County and the project developer Amoresco, described the project as limited to the northern half of the roof, designed to maximize solar gain while minimizing visibility. Hart said the system is a ballasted, removable array and estimated the installed system would impose less than five pounds per square foot in aggregate load on the roof.

“It’s intended to support the building’s resiliency and is removable if that becomes necessary in the future,” Hart said.

Commissioners asked technical questions about weight and attachment; Hart acknowledged the system has mechanical connections to the roof sheathing but described the attachments as minimal and reversible. A member of the public offered brief testimony in support, saying the project is largely grant-funded and adds resiliency.

During deliberations commissioners said the two approval elements they were most focused on — that the addition not destroy historic features and that removal not damage the building — had been satisfactorily addressed based on the staff report and applicant testimony. With no conditions recommended by staff, a motion to approve the proposal was moved and seconded and the commission voted to approve the application.

The chair and staff said the final written decision will be mailed to everyone who testified or submitted comments and that the decision may be appealed to city council; the chair indicated the commission hopes to have the signed written findings available within the week.

Action item: Motion to approve the proposal for the John Gum building adding the solar array — approved (motion and second recorded in the audio/transcript; formal written decision to be mailed with appeal deadline).