[MassHistPres] Solar Walkway/Driveway Lights

[Jill Fisher]

I must say I agree completely with Hadley.  Rather than controlling what new layers and improvements are added to a historic property, I think it would behoove everyone to stay focused on preserving the valuable historic fabric--i.e. not allow changes to what cannot be replaced.  Obviously solar fixtures without permanent wiring can easily be removed and therefore should not be of concern, in my opinion.


We work with many communities trying to protect their heritage by establishing historic districts and the main obstacle to them are people's fears that they "will not be allowed to make any changes."  So actions that validate such fears should be carefully considered.  On the other hand, if the landscape of a particular development was essential to its plan (such as keeping lawn areas open and unfenced to create a park-like setting, as is the case in one Olmstead development we have worked on) then the background documentation needs to be explicit about this and the guidelines crafted carefully to address such issues ahead of time so everyone knows the rules of the game.  This is particularly important with landscapes, which are inherently dynamic.


Jill Fisher, AICP 
Principal Planner 
Larson Fisher Associates, Inc. 
Historic Preservation & Planning Services 
PO Box 1394 
Woodstock, NY 12498 
845-679-5054 
jillfisher47 at hotmail.com 

www.larsonfisher.com 



 


From: jameswhadley at hotmail.com
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu; bgreg at comcast.net
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:20:53 -0400
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Solar Walkway/Driveway Lights




In my humble opinion an historic district protects historic place, it doesn't freeze time. I and many others in the architecture and planning professions could easily recognize the date of these reproduction light fixtures - they would appear just as contemporary as the solar lights, except perhaps a little cheesier. It is important to be aware that the power dynamics of controls from the districting process can be abused just like any other form of power, and to be above all fair minded when conducting reviews. In this case I'd say "lighten up."
James W Hadley AIA, chair, Orleans Historical Commission

----- Original Message ----- 
From: bgreg at comcast.net 
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 5:28 PM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Solar Walkway/Driveway Lights

Have any Historic Districts addressed solar walkway and/or driveway lights installed in their district?  The devices are certainly energy efficient, but there aren't any older period models to compare or replicate.  Two dozen lining a long walk or driveway are quite noticeable due to their unique grayish/blue glow.  Because the lamps aren't hard wired, they don't necessarily fit into the permanent fixture definition - although folks seldomly line their sidewalks or driveways with lights for one week.  A commission might recommend the installation of period lamps on poles but the cost differential between reproduction lamps and the solar lights is quite significant.

Brian Gregory
Boxford HDC



 




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