Chambana Sun

City of Champaign Historic Preservation Commission met Oct. 3

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m.

Roll Call: The

Members Present: Broadie, Bamert, Meinhart, Roma

Staff Present: Trotter, Horwick, Wilcock, Rains Lowe

Minutes from September 5, 2024 were unanimously approved.

PL 24-0025 Certificate of Appropriateness for 503 South State Street (Harwood Solon Residence)

Wilcock: This case is to review a Certificate of Appropriateness for an application for solar panels to be added to the roof of the home at 503 S. State known as the Harwood Solon House.

This home was designated as a Local Landmark in 1998 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The home was built in 1867 by William Barrett. The local architect was Seely Brown he was also the builder of the home. The two-and-a-half-story irregular plan brick residence is an exemplary example of Italianate style. A description of the architectural features of the home is given.

The current owner uses the house as a family home and has requested to install roof top solar panels to home to meet the family’s needs. There was a prior Certificate of Appropriateness in 2023 when the homeowner came before the Commission to request to build a new detached garage, driveway, off-street parking area, gate and exterior patio on the property. This request was approved.

These proposed alterations are twenty-nine solar panels to the low-pitched hip roof of the main house. The twenty-nine panels will be set five feet from the flashing on all four sides of the hipped roof – as required by building code. The panels themselves will be installed not more than five inches from the surface of the metal roof. The roof is not original it was replaced by Preservation and Conservation Association (PACA) and is a metal roof. The shape of the roof should be maintained by this addition of solar panels.

For Certificates of Appropriateness there are Criteria of that need to be met. These criteria are reviewed and how the proposed solar panels meet these criteria is explained.

Staff is recommending approval of this case based on it meeting the criteria needed for approval.

There has been no public input needed.

Meinhart: Would the applicant like to make a statement?

Chris Knight, 503 South State Street. The panels are not visible for the street. They cannot be seen unless you are in a plane or the second level of the library. Even on the second level of the library there are trees that block the view. These panels should be completely invisible.

They are not structural, and they can be removed, and the house will not collapse. They are very useful with paying the electrical bills which are astronomical in a home this size. Any questions?

Roma: I went past the house both on the north and east side and I couldn’t even see the roof so I would have to be the Jolly Green Gian before I could even notice that there were panels up there. I will vote to approve.

Meinhart: Is there any other public comment?

Susan Appeal, Chair of the Advocacy Committee for Preservation and Conservation Association. We hold a preservation easement on this property thus we also must approve changes. We have given our approval. Primarily because as we finally figured out the panels are being applied in a clamping process so there is no penetration of the roof in any way. We were concerned that there might be some damage in the future but that seems not likely to be the case. I just wanted to verify as Chris has said on the application that we did consider this, and we did approve it.

Bamert: Does this set a precedent on adding solar panels to historic homes? Appeal: PACA has no knowledge how often this is happening in the community.

Commission discusses solar panels and historic homes.

Bamert: Motion to close public hearing. Roma: Seconds. Unanimous “yes” vote.

Bamert: I don’t want to set a precedent regarding adding solar panels to historic homes. But on this home. I do agree that since you cannot see them from the street, I agree they are okay.

But it is not a green light for every historic home or building. I will vote to approve.

Roma: I have already said my comments. I will vote to approve based on the appearance of the particular residence.

Meinhart: I would vote to approve. I think it is a great benefit to this residence.

Broadie: I will vote to approve.

Bammert: As a community and as someone who has lived here my whole life. Mr. Knight did step up and take on a take on an unbelievable project, as he has done several other times. We could have lost this building if PACA and Mr. Knight had not stepped up. We have saved it, and I do want to recognize that and say that it is one of the premiere older houses in the community. The architecture is unique, and it is one of a kind. Thank you to Mr. Knight for saving it and I can’t image what the power bill on the house is. I hope this brings you some relief.

Broadie: I move that we approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 503 South State Street based on it meeting all the applicable criteria needed. Roma: Seconds. Unanimous “yes” vote.

Trotter: Informs Commission that the Landmark Designation of the 710 S. Elm Boulevard house was approved by City Council on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Verifies that all Commission members will be available for a November 7, 20024 meeting.

Adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVMf8awV5CFGUf-9ePyj-4LTfKg5Qbim/view