Historic commission denies Trinity Solar plan for 50 Blackball Hill

The Kings Highway Regional Historic District commission in Dennis denied a proposal to install solar panels on the roof of a house at 50 Blackball Hill after concluding the array would be visible from public ways and would not meet the commission’s “minimally visible” guideline.

Mikayla, representing Trinity Solar, told the board the proposed 25-panel, 10.25-kilowatt system “is not viewable from the Scenic Highway” and that the examples provided to the commission were intended to represent the project. Board members disagreed after reviewing site photos and Google Maps views presented during the hearing.

“The pictures that you presented don’t give a true representation of the view from Blackball Hill Road,” the chair said, and multiple members agreed the panels would be visible. After discussion the board moved to deny the application; the motion was seconded and the denial carried by voice vote.

The chair told the applicants they may reapply with revised plans or pursue an appeal: “You’d have to reapply with something that you think would work,” the chair said; the chair also noted that an appeal would be heard by the regional commission that reviews members’ decisions.

Why it mattered: The board emphasized consistency with its visibility rules and said it generally approves most solar applications but will deny those that fail to meet the bulletin’s standards. Mikayla said she would relay the board’s feedback to Trinity Solar and the property owner.

Next steps: The denial is final at the meeting level; applicants can refile a revised application or appeal to the Old Kings Highway Regional Historic District Commission, per the chair’s remarks.