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Danville board approves rooftop solar for Saints Peter and Paul with visibility conditions
Summary
The Danville Architectural History Board approved a certificate of appropriateness on June 24 permitting rooftop solar at Saints Peter and Paul, with conditions that panels be flush-mounted and hardware painted to match the roof to limit visibility from public streets.
The Danville Architectural History Board voted June 24 to approve a certificate of appropriateness allowing rooftop solar panels at Saints Peter and Paul, a parish in Danville's historic district, with conditions designed to minimize public visibility.
Dan Nollette, a parishioner and chair of the committee presenting the proposal, told the board the parish plans to place panels on the rear (east and west) roofs of the main church, on the rectory and on the Catholic center to supply the parish's electric bills. "The panels would be on the back side of our church," Nollette said, and "you would not be able to see anything from the Main Street side." He added that some visibility is possible from First Street and that photos were provided to show sightlines.
Staff noted a finding of fact that the panels could not be seen from Main Street, while another attendee clarified that limited views exist from the parking lot and First Street. Staff cited National Park Service guidance saying flush-mounted panels are generally acceptable when mounting hardware is painted to match the roof color, and recommended approval with those conditions.
The board's approval included a motion to grant the COA "as presented with those conditions" requiring flush mounting and color-matched hardware. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff said it will issue the COA within days and that the certificate is valid for one year; staff also asked the parish to notify the office immediately if the solar installer requests any design changes so the board can address them promptly.
Key technical and procedural details recorded at the hearing included a description that the panels would be roof-mounted and sit about a half-inch off the roofline, the plan to place panels on rear roof faces to reduce visibility from Main Street, and that limited visibility from First Street may occur. The board's conditioned approval aims to balance the parish's energy goals with preservation goals for the H1 historic overlay.
The board did not specify a formal vote tally by name in the record; approval was recorded by voice vote. The COA approval and the staff conditions are effective immediately; the parish was instructed to contact staff if contractor changes require follow-up.
