In considering the appropriateness of any proposed environmental change, including landscaping or exterior signage, the Design Review Board shall consider the following:
(a) The visual and functional components of the building and its site shall be generally compatible with the historic context of its surroundings. Such components shall include, but not be limited to, building height, massing and proportion, roof shape and slope, landscape design and plant materials, lighting, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and signage.
(b) The distinguishing original qualities or character of a historic building, structure, site and/or its environment shall be preserved and the removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural environmental features should be avoided when possible.
(c) All buildings, structures and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance inconsistent or inappropriate to the original integrity of the building shall be discouraged.
(d) Whereas changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure or site and its environment, if these changes are deemed to have acquired sigriificance, then this significance shall be recognized and respected.
(e) Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
(f) Significant architectural features which have deteriorated shall be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the applicant shall provide evidence that new material matches the material being replaced in composition, design, texture, and other visual qualities as closely as possible. Repair or replacement of architectural features should be based on accurate duplication of the feature, and if possible, substantiated by historic, physical or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures.
(g) The surface cleaning of masonry structures shall be undertaken with methods designed to minimize damage to historic building materials. Blast cleaning with natural aggregate material and other cleaning methods that will damage the historic building materials should be avoided.
(h) Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment.
(i) Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the original structure would be unimpaired. Additions to the least significant and least visible of historic properties should be given priority over other designs.
(j) Reconstruction or rehabilitation within the Historic Design Review District shall, when possible, conform to the distinguishing, original exterior qualities or character of the structure, its site, and its environment.
(k) The design of new structures and of additions to existing structures, including new site improvements, shall take into account the architectural style, general design, arrangement, texture, color and material of other structures and premises within the individual precinct.
(l) All new structures and all reconstruction or remodeling of existing structures within the Historic Design Review District shall, when possible, utilize natural traditional exterior materials such as brick, stone, masonry and/or wood. The use of contemporary materials, such as aluminum and other similar metals, fiberglass and plastic for exterior surfaces on architecturally significant structures shall not be approved unless the applicant provides evidence that the use of such materials would be consistent with existing traditional materials and the overall integrity and longevity of the structure.
(m) All signs within the Historic Design Review district shall conform to the Design Review Board's design guidelines for signs and to the material standards of this Section; be of such size, scale, style color and design that reflect the era during which the structure was built, and shall conform to the requirements of this chapter. Sign size and shape shall also correspond to the existing proportions of period structures, and signs shall not be permitted to cover, “blank-out" or close existing window and doorway openings or otherwise hide important architectural features.
(n) The proposed action is consistent with design guidelines for the Historic Design Review Board District, as may be subsequently prepared for and adopted by the Design Review Board.
(o) Exceptions. Under exceptional circumstances as the Design Review Board may determine, the Board may approve environmental changes that consist of decorative lighting, signs or other changes that do not strictly conform to the design guidelines if the environmental change does not interfere with the historical character of the streetscape and/or is in the best interest of the District and City of Chillicothe, as determined by the Design Review Board.
(Ord. 23-12. Passed 3-26-12.)