Mechanical, Utility, Energy Generation
| Mechanical, utility, and energy generation systems are important features to ensure the continued use and viability of historic buildings. While important, care needs to be given to the placement and location of associated cables and wires to minimize the visual impact and character defining features of the building. |
General Considerations
15.1. Mechanical and service equipment may be installed on the roof (such as heating and air-conditioning units, elevator housing, telecommunications devices) so long as they are inconspicuous when viewed from the public right-of-way and do not damage or obscure character defining features.
a. When adding telecommunications devices, antennas and satellite dishes to a historic building, materials should be used to help “stealth” or obscure the equipment such as mirror film when the background is open sky, painting the equipment to match the color of the building, or building an appropriate screen wall.
15.2. Ground mounted mechanical/HVAC equipment should be placed on a secondary elevation where it is minimally visible from the public right-of-way. It should be screened from view with appropriate fencing material (see Site and Landscape Design). Equipment should not to be installed on a primary façade.
a. If the equipment cannot be screened, it should be matte or non-reflective finishes that blend with the building colors.
15.3. A new mechanical system, if required, should be installed so that it results in the least alteration possible to the historic building and its character-defining features, minimizing new cuts and holes, especially in structural members.
15.4. To improve the energy efficiency of existing mechanical systems and reduce the need for a new system installing of storm windows, insulating attics and crawl spaces, or adding awnings, should be considered.
15.5. Any new or replacement equipment that is located behind the front line of the house and not visible from the public right-of-way is exempt from review.
15.6. Do not use exposed conduit on the exterior of a building and where possible, vertical runs of ducts, pipes or cables should be installed internally in closets or wall cavities to minimize visibility.
15.7 When installing a geothermal system, avoid excessive disturbance to the site and removal of significant landscaping elements. See Section 16: Site and Landscape Design-Grading and Site Work for additional guidance.
|
The ground mounted mechanical units at Old City Hall are very large and visible from the public right-of-way and not properly screened with fencing material.
|
Solar
15.8. Solar installations should be located on rooftops with a low-profile to minimize visibility from the public right of way such as a flat roof and set back to take advantage of a parapet or other roof feature to screen solar panels from view
15.9. Solar installations when mounted flush against the sloped roof are permitted on secondary slopes, out of view from the public right of way.
15.10. When south and west facing rooflines are facing the public right of way and no other buildings such as a garage are available for installation, solar panels may be installed on these rooflines if they are set back from the edge of the roofline a minimum of two feet.
15.11. Installation should not damage historic roofing material or negatively impact the building’s historic character and should be reversible.
15.12. Solar panels not visible from the adjacent public right of way are exempt from review.
|
Solar panels mounted with a low-profile, flush against the slope, on a secondary slope.
|
|
|
 |
| The Meadow Gold Complex above is an excellent example of solar installations. Viewed from the street (left) you cannot see the panels. Viewed from above (right), the entire roof is providing clean energy for the building. |
Helpful Links