The specific guidelines for building and lot aesthetics in the following section have been formatted to provide an illustration of the preferred and not preferred methods of building design as it relates to height, scale, massing, setback and other issues. For each specific guideline in the following section a description of the recommended approach that the applicant/property owner should "consider" is provided, with an illustration of the result of the design. Similarly, a description is provided of the design approach that the applicant/property owner should "avoid" when designing or remodeling structures in the Overlay District.
(a) Height.
(1) Consider relating the overall height of new construction or renovation of existing structures to that of adjacent structures.
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(2) Avoid new construction that greatly varies in height (too high or too low) from older buildings in the vicinity.
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(b) Scale.
(1) Consider relating the size and proportion of new structures to the scale of adjacent buildings. Although much larger than its neighbors in terms of square footage, the building shown below maintains the same scale and rhythm as the existing buildings.
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(2) Avoid buildings that in height, width or massing violate the existing scale of the area. The new building shown here disrupts the scale and rhythm of the streetscape.
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(c) Massing.
(1) Consider breaking up uninteresting boxlike forms into smaller, varied masses such as are common on most older buildings. Variety of form and massing are elements essential to the character of the streetscape.
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(2) Avoid single monolithic forms that are not relieved by variations in massing. Boxlike facades and forms are intrusive when placed in a streetscape of older buildings that have varied massing and façade articulation.
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(d) Directional Expression.
(1) Consider relating the vertical or non-directional façade character of new buildings to the predominant directional expression of nearby buildings. Horizontal buildings can be made to relate to the more vertical adjacent structures by breaking the façade into smaller masses that conform to the primary expression of that streetscape.
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(2) Avoid strongly horizontal or vertical façade expressions unless compatible with the character of structures in the immediate area. The new building shown does not relate well to either its neighbors or to the rhythm of the streetscape because of its unbroken horizontal façade.
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(e) Setback.
(1) Consider maintaining the architectural façade lines of streetscape by locating front walls of new buildings in the same plane as facades of adjacent buildings. If existing setbacks vary, the new building should conform to historic siting patterns.
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(2) Avoid violating the existing setback pattern by placing new buildings in front of or behind the historic façade line. Avoid placing buildings at odd angles to the street unless in an area where diverse siting already exists.
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(f) Sense of Entry.
(1) Consider articulating the main entrances to the building with covered porches, porticos and other pronounced architectural forms.
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(2) Avoid facades with no strong sense of entry. Side entries or entries not defined by a porch or similar transitional element result in an incompatible "flat" first floor façade.
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(g) Roof Shapes.
(1) Consider relating the roof forms of the new building to those found in the area. Although not entirely necessary, duplication of the existing or traditional roof shapes, pitches and materials on new construction is one way of making new structures more visually compatible.
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(2) Avoid introducing roof shapes, pitches or materials not traditionally used in the area.
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(h) Rhythm of Openings.
(1) Consider respecting the recurrent alternation of wall area with door and window elements in the façade. Also consider the width-to-height ratio of bays in the façade. The placement of openings with respect to the façade's overall composition symmetry, or balances asymmetry should be carefully studied.
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(2) Avoid introducing incompatible façade patterns that upset the rhythm of openings established in the surrounding structures. Glass walls and window and door shapes and their locations shown in the examples are disrespectful to the adjoining buildings.
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(Ord. 109-14. Passed 6-23-14.)