(A) Awnings and canopies.
(1) Awnings should be mounted so that the valance is about seven feet above the sidewalk and project four to seven feet off the building. Awnings and canopies should complement the facade, not overwhelm it. Awnings and canopies should not cover important architectural elements. Match the awning or canopy with the shape of an opening. Coordinate awnings on upper and lower floors by using similar materials and colors. The color of the awning or canopy should complement the colors of the building. When deciding on a pattern, simple and restrained patterned awnings are preferred.
(2) Signs should be sewn or painted on an awning or canopy. Lettering should be no more than 24 inches to cover no more than one-third of the awning or canopy area. Appropriate materials include canvas, vinyl- coated canvas and acrilan, or other durable materials. Cedar shake, concrete, fiberglass, plastic, aluminum or other non- traditional materials are not appropriate. Appropriate shapes include standard, dome, concave, convex, bullnose, and marquee. Theme designs and backlit awnings are not appropriate.
(B) Building materials.
(1) All attempts shall be made to retain exterior building materials. Deterioration of original masonry and wood materials shall be prevented through repair, cleaning and painting. Building materials that are deteriorated beyond repair and preservation shall be replaced with similar or like materials duplicating the original in design and style.
(2) The original architectural detail around windows and doors, storefront and cornice shall be preserved or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair.
(3) The masonry of the building shall be maintained, tuckpointed and properly cleaned when necessary. Mortar joints shall be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Original mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size and method of application and joint profile. The masonry shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to remove stains and shall be done with the gentlest method possible, such as low pressure water and soft bristle brushes. Abrasive cleaning methods such as sandblasting shall be avoided and will only cause severe damage by eroding the protective surface of the masonry. Do not paint masonry surfaces unless they were previously painted.
(C) Cornice, roof and roofing.
(1) Cornices are important elements to historic commercial buildings because they form a visual "cap" on a building, can identify a building, and contribute to the horizontal alignment of the streetscape. Retain and repair the existing original cornice. If the cornice is deteriorated beyond repair, the new cornice should match the original in size, proportion, massing and materials.
(2) The original roof shape shall be retained. Architectural features that give the roof its essential character, such as its shape, fascia, and the like shall be retained. Nothing shall be done to change the essential character of the roof by adding architectural features or roofing materials inappropriate to the style of building. The roof shall not be stripped of architectural features important to its character.
(D) Mechanical systems. Required mechanical systems should be placed in areas that will result in not changing the appearance of the building. Holes should not be cut through walls in areas that can be seen from the street to accommodate an air conditioner or other mechanical equipment.
(E) Paint colors.
(1) Although paint colors are reversible and have no permanent effect and have usually changed many times throughout the history of a building, they are important in defining certain architectural styles and their elements. A paint palette of appropriate and pre-approved colors is available to the property owner. The palette consists of various colors and groupings and is developed to assist you in choosing appropriate colors. When applying for a certificate of appropriateness, the palette will assist you to choose a color scheme that has already been approved by the Historic Review Board.
(2) Repaint with colors commonly in use at the time the building was constructed. Consider using different shades of the same color when variation in color is desired. However, there is a danger of the color scheme becoming too busy.
(F) Signage. Signs should be indicative of the period of the structure. Spaces of a commercial building where signage was typically placed are the entablature, pediments or portions of the cornice, the facade area between floors, window and door glass, and panels hung on the building facade, either flat or at right angles. Awnings were also used for signage. Some temporary signs were leaned against the building, stood up on the sidewalk, or were paraded by sandwich men. A storefront shall not have more than two signs -- one primary and one secondary. Appropriate signs include flush-mounted wall signs, window and door signs, transom, painted wall signs, or projecting signs. Signs should complement and fit in with existing facade in color, composition and materials. Signs should not cover architectural elements or obscure the display area.
(G) Storefront. The storefront’s configuration and proportion should be based on historic documentation or appropriate historic designs relating to the building facade. A storefront should fit inside the original opening and not extend beyond it.
(H) Windows and doors. The original windows and exterior doors, including sash, lintels, sills, and hardware, shall be retained or replaced with replicas of the same design. If new sash and doors must be used they shall replicate the original design and materials and should retain the original hardware. Original windows and doors should not be discarded when they can be restored and re-used in place. New window or door openings that would alter the scale and proportion of the building as viewed from the street shall not be introduced. Transom windows may be of clear, beveled, prism, etched or art glass. Avoid adding shutters unless they appeared on the building in the past. Shutters should appear operable and be the right length and width to cover a window when closed. Storm windows should have minimal visual impact on the historic windows.
(Ord. 13-2000, passed 6-13-00)