Additions to existing buildings and new infill construction proposed within the Clyde and Crooks Warehouse District must reflect an understanding of the relationship of the proposal with the contributing buildings within the district. Additions shall be reviewed for compatibility with the historic building and the District, while infill construction shall be reviewed for compatibility with the overall District. Neither should directly imitate nor replicate existing features. For additions, every effort should be made to minimize the visibility of the new structure within the District. Infill construction should reflect the character of the District, including the prevailing heights of contributing buildings without creating a false sense of history. Property owners should consult early in the process with a Planning Department Historic Preservation staff when developing a proposal.
(a) Additions. Additions shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and any proposed addition should be located in an inconspicuous location and not result in a radical change to the form or character of the historic building. A vertical addition may be approved, depending on how the addition impacts the building and its relative visibility from the surrounding public rights-of-way within the district. The Planning Department evaluates all proposals for properties identified under Article 10 of the Planning Code for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards (as set forth in Section 1006.6 of the Planning Code). Based on these Standards, Department staff uses the following criteria when reviewing proposals for vertical additions:
(1) The structure respects the general size, shape, and scale of the features associated with the property and the District and the structure is connected to the property in a manner that does not alter, change, obscure, damage, or destroy any of the character-defining features of the property and the District.
(2) The design respects the general historic and architectural characteristics associated with the property and the District without replicating historic styles or elements that will result in creating a false sense of history.
(3) The materials are compatible with the property or District in general character, color and texture.
As part of the Planning Department review process, the project sponsor shall conduct and submit an analysis that illustrates the relative visibility of a proposed vertical addition from within the District. As part of this analysis, sightline cross-sections and perspective drawings illustrating the proportionality and scale, as well as the visible extent of the addition from prescribed locations should be submitted.
(b) New Construction. When a district provides an opportunity for new construction through existing vacant parcels or by replacing non-contributing buildings, a sensitive design is of critical importance. Historic buildings within the District should be utilized and referenced for design context. Contemporary design that respects the District’s existing character-defining features without replicating historic designs is encouraged. The Department uses the following criteria when reviewing proposals for infill construction as well as the review standards set forth in Section 1006.6 of the Planning Code:
(1) The structure respects the general size, shape, and scale of the character-defining features associated with the district and its relationship to the character-defining features of the immediate neighbors and the district.
(2) The site plan respects the general site characteristics associated with the district.
(3) The design respects the general character-defining features associated with the district.
(4) The materials are compatible with the district in general character, color, and texture.
(c) Standards for New Construction and Alterations.
(1) Facade Line Continuity. Facade line continuity is historically appropriate. Therefore, setbacks at lower floors and arcades, not generally being features of the Clyde and Crooks Warehouse District, are generally not acceptable.
(2) Fenestration and Design Elements for New Construction. In areas with a concentration of buildings characterized by a high proportion of mass to void and deeply recessed openings, vertical orientation and limited fenestration, the design of new construction should relate to those elements. In areas characterized by buildings with industrial style fenestration, new construction should relate to those design elements.
(d) Exterior Changes Requiring Approval. Any exterior change within the Clyde and Crooks Warehouse District shall require a Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to the provisions of Article 10 when such work requires a city permit. In addition, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for cleaning masonry surfaces with abrasives and/or treatment of such surfaces with waterproofing chemicals. Sandblasting and certain chemical treatments detrimental to older brick will not be approved.
(e) Signs.
(1) Principal Signs. Only one sign will be allowed per establishment per street frontage. A flush sign with lettering intended to be read from across the street is permitted. On brick surfaces, signs should be mounted with a minimum number of penetrations of the wall, and those penetrations only in the mortar joints.
(2) Secondary Signs. One per establishment per street frontage. A secondary sign is intended to be viewed close-up and consists of: (A) lettering on a door or window that contains only the name and nature of the establishment, hours of operation and other pertinent information; or (B) a projecting sign not exceeding two square feet in area used in conjunction with a principal flush sign.
(f) Nothing in this legislation shall be construed to regulate paint colors within the District.
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Division (e)(2) amended; final division redesignated as (f); Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021.