ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, :00 PM

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1 THIS TRANSCRIPT IS PRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM AND HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY APPROVED BY THE ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION. OFFICIAL COPIES OF TRANSCRIPT, WHEN APPROVED, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TOWN CLERK OR PLANNING OFFICE. ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, :00 PM A Regular meeting of the Enfield Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 in the Council Chambers at the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield Connecticut. Chairman Tatoian called the meeting to order at 7:07PM. PRESENT: Richard Tatoian, Chairman Nancy Smyth, Clerk Marie Troiano Raymond Gwozdz Linda Stebbins (Alternate) ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Sonja Marie Dean, Lillian Troiano (Alternate), Colleen Reidy (Alternate) Rachel Blatt, Assistant Town Planner Call to order: Chairman Tatoian called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM. Roll call: Clerk Smyth called the roll. Present for the meeting were Chairman Tatoian, Clerk Smyth, Ms. Troiano, Mr. Gwozdz, Ms. Stebbins (Alternate). Also Present: Rachel Blatt, Assistant Town Planner Fire Evacuation Announcement: Chairman Tatoian noted where the emergency exits were in the event of a fire. Approval of Minutes: a. Regular Meeting of December 18, 2013: Mr. Gwozdz motioned to approve the minutes of December 18, Ms. Smyth seconded the motion. All were in favor (5-0-0). Old Business - NONE Public Hearings: NONE Public Participation: NONE Correspondence: Ms. Blatt noted the Connecticut Preservation Society news and the National Preservation Institute calendar of seminars in their packets. Ms. Blatt noted that she will add Ms. Stebbins as a member of the Connecticut Preservation Society so she will have access to the seminars and receive correspondence. Other Business: a. Discussion of Request for Review of Impacts on Historic Properties from EBI Consulting. Ms. Blatt reviewed the request for response from the Historic District for the additional equipment added to the water towers by AT&T that are close to the historic district.

2 Chairman Tatoian noted the equipment locations look like they are on the sides of the tower and are not visible from the road (Rt. 5). He did not see any comment necessary because they were not visible from the road. Ms. Troiano agreed that from the pictures provided, it does not appear that the equipment will be visible from Rt. 5. Ms. Blatt questioned the Commission if she should draft a letter to AT&T stating they reviewed the request. Chairman Tatoian stated she could send a letter stating they discussed the proposal and the Commission had no additional comments. b. Discussion of Solar installations I. Review of Town of Enfield Zoning Regulations for Solar Installations. Ms. Blatt noted that the town revised its zoning regulations to allow for solar panel installations. There are two types of solar panels systems. The small scale ones which generate enough energy for all or part of the house and large scale systems which put energy back on the grid. The regulations require that people obtain building permits from the planning department before they can put them on their house. Therefore, we would know if they were located in the Historic District, they would need to get approval from the Historic Commission. The likelihood of having many applications for a large scale unit is slim unless it was for a farm or large property. The ground mounted systems would need to be behind the property, five feet away from the rear and side property lines, no higher than 18 ft. and properly screened. These would not likely be seen from the road. However, the roof mounted units are the ones that will most likely affect the district. The current town regulations state the units cannot project more than four inches above an angled roof and no more than five feet from a flat roof. The glare must also be deflected from any adjacent properties. Chairman Tatoian questioned if there are any applications pending that are in the Historic district and if these applications are reviewed by the Zoning Board. Ms. Blatt stated that the building department reviews the applications to ensure they meet state codes. The Zoning Enforcement Officer reviews the application to ensure they meet the town codes. Then a building permit is issued in the end. Chairman Tatoian questioned if someone in the Historic District wants solar panels, would they have to come the Historic District Commission for approval first before the building permit was issued? Ms. Blat stated they would have to come before they were approved for the building permit. If they did not, the Building department would know because they are the ones who approve the permit. Ms. Troiano questioned if there any regulations stating that the solar panels had to be in the back of the house.

3 Ms. Blatt stated there weren t because it depends on what side the roof is facing. Chairman Tatoian noted that when an application comes into the Commission for approval, they are not bound by the Town requirements because they approve on the appropriateness for the neighborhood and property. Ms. Blatt also noted that all of the solar panels have to stay in the finish that the manufacturer makes them in order to abide by state regulations. Any application will also need to include an application to the local electric company because they feed into the electric grid. II. Presentation from Enfield Clean Energy Committee re: Solarize Enfield program. III. Review of background materials. IV. Open discussion V. Determination of next steps. Suzanne Giwoyna, Clean Energy Committee, stated the Solarized Energy program is sponsored by the town and partnered with CT Energy Efficiency Fund. There are currently 30 programs in the state. It is a five month campaign which ends in April. There are three selected installation companies that give a ballpark estimate discount of 15% during the five month campaign period. On March 19 th, there will be a tour of a house in Hazardville that has electric and domestic hot water with its solar panels. On March 3, 2014 and March 19, 2014 there will be workshops at the Enfield Public Library presented by the Clean Energy Commission. Ms. Blatt noted that the Historic District Commission was requested to attend an information session at the Central Library on Middle Road. Mr. Tatoian questioned if there are funds/assistance available from the state for people who are considering solar panels. Ms. Giwoyna stated she believes there are federal and state funds available along with tax incentives. Ms. Giwoyna also stated that as far as the guidelines go for the solar panel installations, the Town of Enfield s guidelines are more lenient than the state guidelines. Ms. Giwoyna read the State Historic District guidelines in relation to solar panels. Chairman Tatoian questioned if the panels had to go on the roof. Ms. Giwoyna sated the panels can go on the ground with a screen or other structure to keep in kind. Chairman Tatoian stated that per the Historic District Commission review process and guidelines, each application would be discussed on a case by case basis. Ms. Troiano noted that they now make slate sun tiles or sun slates. For the homes that have slate roofs. Ms. Giwoyna noted the Commission wanted to know what residents in the Historic District can and cannot do in regards to solar panels so they can prepare their applications. Chairman Tatoian stated that the Historic District Ordinance states each application is considered if the change is appropriate and in kind, if we want to incorporate separate regulations for solar, that is another issue.

4 Mr. Gwozdz questioned if the installers know that the applications have to come before the Historic District. Ms. Giwoyna stated that is why she is coming before the Commission, so they have a partnership and know they can meet the requirements of the Commission. She realizes that there may be older properties that cannot withstand the size of the panels that are needed to generate the power to that size of house and are not appropriate for the house. Mr. Gwozdz noted that he likes the guidelines from the National Preservation Commission. Ms. Blatt questioned if she should prepare a statement to the public regarding the solar panels or continue as we do now with the process. Chairman Tatoian stated he does not want to put anything in writing since each property and application are going to be different, he does not want to waste anyone s time. Mr. Gwozdz stated he believes the National Preservation Commission guidelines should be a skeleton for their guidelines, but approved on a case by case basis. Mr. Robert Pellegrino and Kelly Bell, 1260 Enfield Street, noted they live in the Historic District and questioned if they only had until April 15 th to complete their application in order to receive the discount. Ms. Giwoyna stated she believed if they applied by April 15 th, they may still qualify, but she will check with the installers and Commission. Ms. Troiano stated when Mr. Pellegrino submits his application; it can be a starting point for their guidelines and how to handle future solar panel applications. Ms. Blatt noted that all wires have to be buried when connected to the property for the ground unites. Ms. Giwoyna stated they may want to get approval from the neighbors. Ms. Blatt stated there is a notice that goes out to the adjacent properties, a sign that goes up on the property, and the legal notice is printed in the newspaper. Ms. Blatt questioned if the Commission was comfortable with her drafting guidelines based on the National Preservation Commission guidelines and conversation they had and getting the Solar Committees comments. The Commission was comfortable with the task. Adjournment:Ms. Stebbins motioned to adjourn at 8:15 pm. Ms. Smyth seconded the motion. All were in favor (5-0-0). Respectfully submitted,

5 Nancy Smyth, Clerk Enfield Historic District Commission