The Rochester Planning Board will ask Town Meeting voters to modify three bylaws, two would better screen future solar projects from view, and one would simplify the sign bylaw.

Currently, language in the town’s limited commercial district bylaw only requires that evergreen plants be used for screening inside the district. The district includes the Plumb Corner mall and adjacent land as well as parcels on New Bedford Road.

Chair Arnie Johnson said the proposed bylaw change would require construction of a fence or wall at least 6 feet tall.

The requirement was included in the bylaw’s original draft but was removed.

“[After] going through the solar project in the center of town, it probably would have saved us a little bit of aggravation if it had been in there,” Johnson said. “I personally would like to see it back in there.”

Earlier this year, representatives from Renewable Generation announced plans to build a 1.5-megawatt solar farm at 620 New Bedford Road, adjacent to the centuries old First Parish Cemetery.

At public hearings, residents voiced concern about the proposed solar farm's visual impact.

Johnson said the bylaw change wouldn’t affect Renewable Generation’s application as it has already been filed.

The board also wants future solar developers to identify and flag trees that are 12 inches or wider in diameter near a project’s perimeter.

Again, Johnson said the requirement was considered but eventually deleted in a draft bylaw governing the installation of large solar projects.

“We figured it was a senseless step,” Johnson said.

Board members reevaluated the rule after Renewable Generation plans called for the removal of many large trees near the cemetery.

“Something like [the bylaw change] may help us maintain a vegetative boundary,” Johnson said.

In addition to solar changes, the board wants the sign bylaw streamlined.

“Ninety-eight percent of this is just a gathering of all the information into one spot, which makes it easier not only for applicants but for the people who are supposed to grant permits,” Johnson said.

Under current bylaws, many town boards are responsible for issuing sign permits.

“If someone came to me and said ‘I’m here for a sign permit,’ it would take us half an hour to figure out if he were in the right spot,” Johnson said.

The change would place the majority of sign responsibilities on the Zoning Board of Appeals. However, a few sign permits would still be issued by Selectmen, such as ones for yard sales and other small events.

“The town administrator can grant them on behalf of the Board of Selectmen,” Johnson said. “They wouldn’t have to wait a month and go through the expense of [a ZBA hearing].”

The board made the recommendations at its Nov. 24 meeting. Voters will be asked to adopt the changes at the next Town Meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.