Commission asks homeowner to revise visible solar layout; current roof plan denied

The Landmarks Preservation Commission declined to approve a proposed roof‑mounted solar installation for a contributing bungalow at 1720 Arlington Avenue and asked the applicant to return with a revised, less‑visible layout.

Staff reminded the commission of a prior denial in January 2021 for a larger, highly visible solar array and said design guidelines favor locating panels on rear or accessory‑structure roofs or using ground‑mounted systems that minimize visibility from the street. The current proposal would install 18 panels on an east roof slope and three on a rear slope; staff concluded the side‑slope placement would remain highly visible because the house is one story with limited tree screening.

Mira, project manager for installer Spartan Solar, represented the homeowner and said the design was developed to balance energy needs and safety setbacks; she said the company could seek engineering options to push panels further back or assess ground mounting. Commissioners suggested practical revisions — stepping panels back from the street, shifting panels to form a simple grid rather than a staggered pattern, or consolidating arrays on less‑visible roof areas — and voted to deny the current proposal and request a revised submission that meets the commission’s visibility guidelines.

Next steps: the applicant may submit revised designs (roof or ground alternatives and clear visuals) showing reduced visibility from Arlington Avenue; staff offered to provide guidance on acceptable layouts.