The City Hall Carports: An Open Letter to the City Commission
Dear Mayor & Commissioners,
Two things I’d like brought to your attention:
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.
The time for the City Commission to take a vote on this is now. And it is overdue for the City Manager to report back to the City Commission, as instructed, about the cost and options for relocation of the panels.
Secondly, there has been repeated talk by the architect and Mayor that the community was well aware of these carports, and that they were in the original design charrette. This is incorrect. Below is the design presented at the neighborhood meeting, June 2013. Notice, there are no carports in the design. Please, we neighbors are not crazy or being unreasonable.
Sincerely,
David Dlugitch
When was the last time the Mayor or any Commissioners showed up for the HARC Meeting…we, (my lady & I) did for years and the HARC is great, but it is just a
“burn-factor” for big money, to get what they want and the city to think they are in charge while making a little money.
HARC, it is time to focus on whether it should stay or just let permits/code do the job, for the delays of one to four months is not needed and why do only certain builders and lawyers get their way most of the time?
Yes, I believe now the historic way is gone – look at the plans by city (Cohen) and others. Key West historic time frame is only 50 years back…that is not historic but that is the written rule. Key West has and always been going fast and furious to tomorrow, through out KW’s Past. Let big dreams and money come in and stop slowing growth – look around there are high rises blocking the view much of the water and the city has approved more with your HARC rubber stamp.
Another great Idea is on the way out – HARC and the great board members who tried so hard. Thanks for trying!
Isn’t this town interesting – I love it!!!
My mother’s house is about 100 ft. from the 2nd array. Who is going to pay for the damage to her property when solar panel bits and pieces start flying in the first substantial hurricane? Where are the engineering reports on the wind speeds those individual panels can sustain before they break free from the structure? Landscaping is starting to go into place, but what is going to happen when a multi ton tree (or two trees or three trees) falls onto an array?
This is another everyday outrage. Your evidence amounts to proof of wrongdoing. Not on the public plans, admitting they were designed as carports. The lie about not being able to be placed on the roof. The impotence of HARC–shame on them for approving.
Keep up the good fight, David.