§ 20-9. New construction.

(a)

Proposals for new construction in the historic district should seek compatibility with existing structures through the appropriate use of site planning, materials, decorative details, architectural elements, and scale. A proposal should not draw unnecessary attention to itself in any one of these characteristics. However, a proposal should not duplicate or copy historic styles and periods. The architectural context is of primary concern.

(1)

Scale: The relationship of the building and its elements (including doors and windows) to other structures in the district. It is important, in considering scale, that a careful study be made of the height, width, and mass of buildings in the immediate neighborhood and district as a whole. This study should serve to confirm or deny the appropriateness of the height, width, and mass of the proposed building. Maximum height of any new structure shall conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. In no case shall a new structure exceed a height of 75 feet above the ground.

(2)

Siting: The positioning of a building on a lot. This process includes determining the setback of a building, the spacing of this building from adjacent buildings, and the location of the walls, fences, walks, drives, and landscaping, if any of these are used in the overall design.

(3)

Materials: The surface building fabric which contributes to the exterior character and appearance of the building.

(4)

Decorative details: Ornamentation or embellishment. These includes cornices, lintels, arches, balustrades, chimneys, shutters, columns, and other common details. When used, details should create a unifying effect on a building and should be compatible with the context of the neighborhood.

(5)

Architectural elements: Parts of a building that are integral to its composition. These include balconies, roofs, porches, chimneys, dormers, parapets, and other parts of a building that contribute to its overall shape and silhouette. The choice and arrangement of elements of a proposed building should reflect those of other buildings in the neighborhood. The building should not draw unnecessary attention to itself by failing to relate to neighboring styles. But neither should it copy these styles. The object is to complement the context of the historic district.

(b)

The historic district commission shall follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings in considering all proposals for new construction and/or rehabilitation.

(Code 1976, § 10.5:9; Ord. No. 1101, 7-13-1998)