SUBJECT
title
Public hearing and consideration of a motion to consider the new construction of a solar panel pergola and the addition of solar panels on the existing residential structure on Lot 1, Block 201, Western Division, located at 1602 Washington Street. This property is within Saint Peter’s Historic District.
HD-004-2026
District VIII
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BACKGROUND
Initiated by: Ruth Chatelain, Owner; Peg Energy, Applicant
Previous Action:
None.
Current Proposed Scope of Work:
The applicant proposes:
1. Construction of a new solar panel pergola in the front yard of the residence
2. Installation of solar panels on the existing roof of the historic structure.
Building Type:
- The subject property is a one-story, wood-frame vernacular residential structure, originally constructed circa 1900. According to the February 1925 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, the dwelling is identified as a single-story residence with a roof composed of mixed materials, including shingles and either slate or tin. The 1981 Cultural Resources Survey further classifies the structure as a wood-frame vernacular building, consistent with common residential construction methods of the late nineteenth to early twentieth century.
Site: The property is an H-RO (Historic Residential Office District) zoning district.
Letters sent to the surrounding property owners: 18
For: 0
Against: 0
Granting or Denying an Application:
- As per the Laredo Land Development Code, Section 24.1.2.2(2), the Historic District Landmark Board shall utilize the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; and the City of Laredo, Texas, Historic Urban Design Guidelines
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards:
1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces and spatial relationships.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
*THE PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION REVIEW BEFORE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT/LANDMARK BOARD (HDLB) IS FOR HISTORIC COMPLIANCE ONLY. APPROVAL FROM THE HDLB DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF PERMIT THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT.
Staff supports the proposed new construction of the solar panel pergola for the following reasons:
1. Construction of a new solar panel pergola in the front yard will not adversely affect the historic character, setting, and spatial relationships of the property.
- The proposed solar panel pergola is a freestanding structure and does not require alterations to the historic materials, features, or architectural elements of the residence. As such, the defining characteristics of the historic home will remain intact. (Standard 2)
- The proposed pergola structure is not physically attached to the historic residence. As a result, if the pergola were to be removed in the future, the essential form, materials, and integrity of the historic residential structure and its environment would remain unimpaired. (Standard 10)
Staff supports the installation of the solar panels on the existing roof for the following reasons:
1. Installation of solar panels on the existing roof are low-profile, minimally visible, reversible, and do not require removal of significant historic materials.
- Roof-mounted panels should not require removal of historic roofing materials beyond what is necessary for attachment and should avoid altering the historic roof form, pitch, or visible architectural detailing. (Standard 2 and 5)
- Solar panels will be low-profile, mounted flush with the roof plane, and placed in a manner that minimizes visibility from the public right-of-way, particularly on primary elevations. (Standard 9)
- The panels and mounting system should be installed so that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic roof would remain intact. (Standard 10)
Staff General Comments:
1. Any improvements which are approved by the Historic District Landmark Board shall also comply with all Building Code requirements and other regulations as provided in the Laredo Land Development Code.
2. Approval by the Historic District Landmark Board does not guarantee approval of a building permit or any other permit which may be required.
3. It is recommended that all existed improvements utilize the following resources as a guide:
- The Secretary of the Interiors' Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
- City of Laredo Historic Urban Design Guidelines
- City of Laredo Historic Preservation Plan
4. No other improvements, changes to the building, site or new construction on the property shall be permitted without prior review and approval by staff and/or Historic District Landmark Board, to meet compliance.
5. As per the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, all proposed scope of work should be physically and visually compatible to the original materials and features of the historical structure.
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