[MassHistPres] Solar Energy Systems

Mon Dec 8 13:58:34 EST 2008

In Newton an installation not very visible from the street was approved on a new house in one of our local districts.  We have another application pending on a historic building, so I am also interested in the experiences of others.  A solar consultant quoted some chapter to me (not 40C) stating it was illegal to unduly restrain solar installations.  Has anyone heard of that as well.

Brian Lever

In a message dated 12/6/2008 1:40:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Dcolebslade at aol.com writes:

I note the following relevant parts of Chapter 40C:7 and of Chapter 40A:1A.

Could we have feedback on experience in other historic districts on granting or not granting certificates for solar energy systems?

Thank you.

Betty Slade, Westport

-----Original Message-----
From: Dcolebslade at aol.com
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Sent: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 1:37 pm
Subject: [MassHistPres] Solar Energy Systems

-----Original Message-----
From: Dcolebslade at aol.com
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Sent: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 1:37 pm
Subject: [MassHistPres] Solar Energy Systems

I note the following relevant parts of Chapter 40C:7 and of Chapter 40A:1A.

Could we have feedback on experience in other historic districts on granting or not granting certificates for solar energy systems?

Thank you.

Betty Slade, Westport

Chapter 40C, Section C:7, lines 13-17.

Chapter 40C: Section 7. Factors to be considered by commission 

Section 7. I
n passing upon matters before it the commission shall consider, among other things, the historic and architectural value and significance of the site, building or structure, the general design, arrangement, texture, material and color of the features involved, and the relation of such features to similar features of buildings and structures in the surrounding area. In the case of new construction or additions to existing buildings or structures the commission shall consider the appropriateness of the size and shape of the building or structure both in relation to the land area upon which the building or structure is situated and to buildings and structures in the vicinity, and the commission may in appropriate cases impose dimensional and set-back requirements in addition to those required by applicable ordinance or by-law. When ruling on applications for certificates of appropriateness for solar energy systems, as defined in section one A of chapter forty A, the commission shall also consider the policy of the commonwealth to encourage the use of solar energy systems and to protect solar access. The commission shall not consider interior arrangements or architectural features not subject to public view. 

The commission shall not make any recommendation or requirement except for the purpose of preventing developments incongruous to the historic aspects or the architectural characteristics of the surroundings and of the historic district. 

Chapter 40A, Section 1A

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/40a-1a.htm

Ch
apter 40A: Section 1A. Definitions 

Section 1A. As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings: 

“Solar access”, the access of a solar energy system to direct sunlight. 

“Solar energy system”, a device or structural design feature, a substantial purpose of which is to provide daylight for interior lighting or provide for the collection, storage and distribution of solar energy for space heating or cooling, electricity generating, or water heating

Stay in touch with ALL of your friends: update your AIM, Bebo, Facebook, and MySpace pages with just one click. The NEW AOL.com.

******************************
or administrative questions regarding this list, please contact 
hristopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE 
IST.  
assHistPres mailing list
assHistPres at cs.umb.edu
ttp://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
*******************************

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/private/masshistpres/attachments/20081208/e7cee772/attachment.htm 