840 Spain St

District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control

Owner: Multiple Owners

Rating: Non-Contributing

Applicant: Posigen Developer

HDLC Guidelines:

Section 5, Page 10 of the Guidelines for Roofing, the City of New Orleans encourages solar collectors for space heating, hot water and electricity. However, in historic districts, property owners are encouraged to locate solar collectors where they are minimally visible or hidden from public view. Solar collectors shall be located as far back from the front of the building wall as possible, and a minimum of 10’-0” from the front building wall. When visible, the HDLC recommends using products and installation methods that allow the panels to blend with their surroundings. Examples include the use of black panels on black mounts, rectangular array configurations and thin film panels installed on standing seam metal roofs. The HDLC requires that solar collectors must be:

• Minimum 10’ from street facing wall

• Minimum 12” from roof eave and ridge

• Rectangular and contiguous arrangement

• Low profile racking system

• Rails do not extend more than 3” past panel

• Minimally visible conduit

• Black racking and frame, low contrast panels

Staff Recommendation:

• Street-facing Solar Panels: Denial

• Rear-facing Solar Panels: Approval (pending applicant confirmation of vent clearances)

Staff Recommendations:

The applicant is requesting to install new roof-mounted solar collectors to both sides of the existing side-gable roof. The HDLC Guidelines prohibit the installation of solar panels on front, street-facing roof slopes so that the installation does not negatively impact the integrity of the building as seen from the public right of way. While this particular building is Non-Contributing rated, its tall and prominent massing and roof form make both the front and rear roof slopes highly visible along Burgundy Street. Based on this, Staff recommends denial of the request to install panels on the front, street-facing roof slope and recommends approval for the two arrays proposed for the rear elevation with the proviso that the applicant confirm the existing vent stacks can be relocated or will not otherwise conflict with the proposed layout.