St. James Planning Board recommends rules for residential solar panels

Article from State Port Pilot: The St. James Planning Board on Thursday recommended guidelines for residential solar panel placement and installation. The guidelines are consistent with those that the St. James Plantation Property Owners Association architectural control committee (ACC) currently requires, but are more detailed, providing guidance such as specifically how far the panels can be placed from the edge of the roof. For months, the planning board has been discussing how much, and in what ways, they can legally regulate solar panels, and the benefits and drawbacks to having a town ordinance with essentially the same wording as the ACC guidelines. After board members voiced their support for the guidelines, zoning administrator Josann Campanello asked them to clarify how the review and approval process would work. Property owners planning to build in the St. James Plantation development, the boundaries of which closely but not completely mirror the boundaries of the Town of St. James, first present plans to the St. James Plantation POA. Once the ACC approves the plans, they are brought to the town, which ensures the plans conform to town ordinances. The new guidelines don’t contradict the ACC regulations, but Campanello pointed out that home plans potentially could pass the ACC guidelines in all areas but then face problems when coming before the town. She said in some cases the information the plans would need to show for the ACC to make a determination might not be enough for town officials to determine if the plans abide by town ordinances. The guidelines still must receive approval of St. James Town Council before they become official, and council member Bruce Maxwell, who serves as liaison to the planning board, suggested that the council at that time work with staff to send a letter to St. James Plantation POA officials, asking them to request certain information when solar panels are installed, to help reduce the chances for miscommunication later in the process. The motion to recommend the ordinances passes unanimously. Board members also briefly discussed potential changes to ordinances regarding signs and temporary use permits. Town staff recently became aware that ordinances regarding signs were more vague than they ideally would be, and after a complaint from a resident, board members and staff became aware that ordinances regarding temporary use permits were confusing as well. Discussion about both items is expected to continue at the next planning board meeting on Thursday, August 8. Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker

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St. James Plantation