10.20.130 Design Review Criteria.
The following design review criteria shall apply to alterations, additions and new construction:
A. Siting.
1. In addition to the zoning requirements, the relationship of new additions and new construction to the street and to the open space between buildings shall be compatible with adjacent historic buildings and with the historic character of the surrounding area.
2. New additions and new construction shall be sited so that the impact to the primary facade(s) is kept to a minimum. Additions shall generally be located at the rear portions of the property or in such locations where they have the least visual impact from public ways.
B. Landscape (Visible from Adjacent Public Street).
1. Alterations and new development shall incorporate traditional landscape elements evident in the historic properties in the surrounding area such as grass, trees, shrubs, and picket fences as applicable.
2. Inappropriate landscape treatments, such as berms and extensive ground cover inconsistent with the historic landscaping of the property, are prohibited.
C. Building Height.
1. In addition to the zoning requirements, the height of new additions and new construction shall not exceed the height of the historic building being added onto, or of historic buildings in the surrounding area.
D. Building Massing.
1. New additions shall be articulated in such a manner that no single element is visually larger than the existing historic building.
E. Proportion and Scale.
1. The relationship of height to width of new additions and their sub-elements, such as windows and doors and of alterations, shall be compatible with related elements of the historic building and with the historic character of the surrounding area.
2. The relationship of solids to voids (wall to window) shall be compatible with related elements on the historic building and with the historic character of the surrounding area.
F. Exterior Features.
1. General.
a. To the extent practicable, original historic architectural elements and materials shall be preserved.
b. Architectural elements and materials for new additions shall be compatible with related elements of the historic building and with the historic character of the surrounding area.
c. The preservation, cleaning, repair, and other treatment of original materials shall be done in a manner as to retain the original materials to the most practical extent.
2. Foundations.
a. Concrete or masonry foundations to replace deteriorated wood foundations are permitted. Such new foundations shall be covered with board skirting or similar treatment to match the original appearance and extend to within six to eight inches of the ground level.
b. Concrete or masonry foundations for new additions need not be covered with material that simulates construction techniques that were practiced at the original time of construction.
c. New foundations shall not significantly alter the historic finish floor elevation of the building.
3. Roofs.
a. Roofs on new additions shall be of forms (gabled, hipped, etc.) that are compatible with the historic building and the historic character of the district.
4. Garages/Carports.
a. When feasible, garages and carports shall be located on the site where they have the minimum visual impact from public streets.
b. Where garages must face the street front, they shall be designed to minimize their bulk and visual impact. Single-car garage doors should be employed. [Ord. NS-2236, 2015; Ord. NS-2226, 2014; Ord. NS-1970, 2005. Formerly Appendix “B.”]