Second Solar Carport is Now Being Constructed?!
I now have evidence showing that the solar array structures are, according to the architect himself, carports – something clearly prohibited by the HARC guidelines. The letter, below, from the architect to USBGC Florida, states, “Solar arrays were designed as carport structures“.
Therefore, they are in direct violation of HARC guidelines which prohibit new carports highly-visible from the right-of-way. HARC guidelines state, “The construction of new accessory buildings such as garages or carports which are highly visible from the public right way are not appropriate in the historic district”
Astonishingly, the City of Key West has built the largest carport in the history of the historic district, Old Town, which defies HARC guidelines and permanently harms the historic district. The current HARC Chair recently wrote a letter to the Commission making it clear that the solar array structures violate numerous guidelines, would not be approved today by any applicant, and that the City should follow the same rules as the rest of us.
The guidelines were created to prevent harming the historic fabric of Old Town. It is wrong that the City will not follow the same guidelines that it insists the citizens follow. How HARC completely ignored its own guidelines is still a mystery.
The City Commission has the power to change this permanent detriment to the streetscape. I have already provided a quote from a solar company to move the panels to the roof. Wrongly, the second carport was erected. This could have been fixed relatively easily, especially since the parking lot is still under construction.
Maybe, in light of the serious consequences of fossil fuel and global warming, HARC guidelines need to be updated. Attachment to cosmetic values, to the detriment of social responsibility, indicates a limited perspective.