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<br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />To: Historic Resource Commission Date: January 24, 2019 <br /> <br />From: Pedro Gomez, Assistant Planner I <br /> <br />Subject: <br /> <br />SOLAR PANELS INSTALLATION ON HISTORIC PROPERTIES <br /> <br /> <br />In the last few months, staff has received various inquiries from property owners wishing to <br />install residential solar energy systems on properties that are listed on the Santa Ana Register <br />of Historic Properties (“Register”). The California Solar Rights Act prohibits unreasonable <br />restrictions placed on these systems and prohibits local governments from restricting them <br />based on aesthetics. Additionally, the act limits our review to public health and safety related <br />issues and requires a non‐discretionary review process. <br />Although the review of these systems is limited, the installation of solar energy systems on <br />historic properties should be in conformance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for <br />the Treatment of Historic Properties (“Secretary of Interior Standards”). Generally, solar <br />panels installed in a location that cannot be seen from the public right-of-way or primary <br />elevation will meet the Secretary of Interior Standards. To assist property owners, staff has <br />created the attached handout which provides design guidelines for the installation of solar <br />panels on historic properties. The handout will be made available on the City’s website and as <br />part of future educational outreach material to all historic property owners. <br /> <br />Attachment: Solar Panel Installation on Historic Properties <br /> <br /> <br />S:\HRC\clerical - counter forms\SolarPanels_Historic.doc <br />www.santa-ana.org <br />G-1