The Rochester Planning Board will propose that the town amend its solar bylaw to prohibit large-scale solar projects in the historic and "limited commercial" districts, a move that members say would preserve the appearance of Rochester's town center.

"I don't think you'd get anybody in town to say no to that," noted member Chris Silveira, following a brief discussion among the board members at the Planning Board meeting Tuesday. "It protects the center."

Board members agreed to craft an article to present to voters at Town Meeting in June. Any bylaw change would not impact projects already proposed, including the controversial request from Renewable Generation, LLC, to construct a 1.5-megawatt solar farm at 620 New Bedford Road, in the heart of Rochester.

Though a public hearing on the Renewable Generation proposal was scheduled on Tuesday, Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson said the company's engineer requested that the hearing be delayed until a required archeological survey could be completed. The board agreed to put the hearing on its April 26 agenda, though Town Planner Mary Crain noted she'd be surprised if the survey would be complete by then.

In other solar development news, the Planning Board heard the first of what Johnson said would likely be multiple public hearings for a proposed large-scale solar project at 188-190 Marion Road in Rochester. Permits are required for the solar project itself and because it is located in the town's groundwater protection district.

Proposed by Meadowatt, LLC, the project would entail the construction of an access road and a fence around the 3.3-acre property in addition to the installation of the solar panels.

"You won't be seeing any of the panels from the roadway," noted engineer Bob Bersin of Green Seal Environmental, which is representing Meadowatt.

If the project is ultimately approved, Planning Board members requested that the fence be constructed first to minimize the impact on abutters while the panels and electrical wiring are being installed.

"One thing going for this project is they don't have to remove a lot of trees" which would be noisy for neighbors, said Planning Board member Gary Florindo.

Abutters Lynette and Art Lander expressed concerns about the length of time construction would take and the time of day work would be completed.

Johnson noted that no work is allowed on Sundays and holidays, and work is restricted on Saturdays.

The Meadowatt project will be back before the Planning Board for a public hearing on April 26.