(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to define the architectural principles and elements which the Historic Preservation Board will use to review the design of new construction within the Historic District.
(b) Additions. The proposed addition must fulfill the following requirements to be acceptable.
(1) Additions should be designed to preserve significant historic materials and features and minimize the damage or loss of significant materials and craftsmanship such as, but not limited to, pressed brick, decorative marble, stone, terra-cotta or architectural metal.
(2) Alterations to primary elevations and features that distinguish the building should be avoided. These features include, but are not limited to, window patterns, shutters, porticos, entrances, doorways, roof shapes, cornices, decorative moldings or glazing.
(3) Additions should preserve the historic character and be compatible in size, scale, form, color, material and character so as not to visually overpower or distract from the original building.
(4) Additions should protect the historical significance and be readily distinguishable from older work, but the new work should be harmonious with the old work as defined in division (b)(1) above. The plan for the new addition should provide some differentiation in architectural design characteristics.
(c) Infill structures. The construction of proposed new infill buildings on a vacant lot in the Historic District is encouraged. Such infill buildings should fulfill the following criteria.
(1) The new building should be designed to be compatible with the surrounding buildings. It should look as part of the whole.
(2) The new building should look new, using material and methodology appropriate to today’s architecture. The design should not pretend to mimic historic styles, but should be sensitive to the character of its neighbors.
(3) The use of pseudo-historic details and elements should be avoided because it detracts from the Historic District by compromising the truly historic character of the Historic District.
(4) Good infill buildings are compatible with many of the design characteristics of the surrounding buildings and structures. Some of the following design characteristics of the infill building should be reflective of its neighbors:
A. Massing;
B. Scale;
C. Proportion;
D. Orientation;
E. Materials;
F. Form;
G. Pattern/rhythm; and
H. Color.
(d) Freestanding structures. The freestanding building has the greatest latitude in design character to still be compatible with the character of the Historic District. The new building should be reflective of the tradition of the Historic District. The proposed new freestanding building must fulfill the following requirements to be acceptable.
(1) Quality of design, materials and craftsmanship reflect the pride we hold for a Historic District and its individual buildings. New buildings which are representatives of quality design and use materials in character with a Historic District make a positive contribution to a Historic District.
(2) The use of infill design concepts such as rhythm, proportion, building form and materials establish consistency between an existing Historic District and the new building.
(3) The new building should interact with pedestrians and the public space in a manner consistent with the character of a Historic District.
(Ord. 26-08, passed 6-3-2008)