The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6959, aims to amend Section 7-147f of the general statutes concerning the approval process for solar energy systems in historic districts. The bill introduces new language that stipulates that a historic district commission must issue a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of solar energy systems unless it can be demonstrated that such installation would substantially impair the historic character and appearance of the district. Specifically, the bill clarifies that a solar energy system installed on a roof surface facing the rear of the lot cannot be deemed to impair the district's character.

Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for determining appropriateness by removing certain phrases and inserting new ones to enhance clarity. For instance, it replaces "passing on" with "determining" and specifies that the commission must consider various architectural features and their relationship to the neighborhood. The bill also allows for design modifications and stipulations that do not significantly impair the effectiveness of the solar energy feature. Overall, the legislation seeks to balance the preservation of historic districts with the promotion of renewable energy installations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-147f