4426 N Rampart St.

Staff Recommendations: 

4426 North Rampart Street is a non-contributing, two-story building located in the Bywater and constructed in 2016. The applicant proposes installing 10 solar panels on the Kentucky street facing roof plane (Option A). An alternative layout (Option B) places the panels on a non-street facing roof plane.

The Guidelines state that solar panels should be minimally visible and located on secondary or rear roof planes to preserve the overall character of the neighborhood. Street-facing panels require Commission review.

The applicant is requesting approval of Option A due to increased system performance. Option A is projected to generate approximately 10,524 kwh annually, compared to 9,806 kwh annually for Option B, a difference of approximately 718 kwh per year. This increased output is attributed to improved solar exposure on the upper roof plane. While Option A places the panels on a higher roof plane, photographs show that the panels remain highly visible from the public right-of-way. Option B would locate the panels on a non-street-facing roof plane and would further reduce visibility, consistent with the Guidelines.

Although staff acknowledges the energy efficiency benefits cited by the applicant, staff finds that the proposed street-facing panels would remain visually prominent and that an alternative, less visible location is available. For these reasons, staff recommends denial.

Recommendation: Denial