In reviewing an application within a Special
Character Overlay District, the Board of Architectural Review shall
take into consideration the visual and aesthetic relationships between
neighboring properties; the design character of the district; the
architectural style of the buildings; and the height, width and bulk
of buildings and structures and their arrangement on the site so as
to assure that all new construction and all alterations of existing
structures will be accomplished in such a manner as to further the
purposes of this article. In reviewing such applications, the Board
of Architectural Review shall specifically be guided by the following
standards, which shall be applicable to all facades of a building
or elevations of a structure:
A. All new structures should be constructed to a height
visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which
they are visually related. By illustration, in an area where two-story
buildings predominate, it would be most appropriate to continue this
prevailing architectural character, and the construction of one-story
buildings will be strongly discouraged.
B. The gross volume of any new structure should be visually
compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually
related.
C. In the street elevation(s) of a building, the proportion
between the width and height in the facade(s) should be visually compatible
with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
D. The proportions and relationships between doors and
windows in the street facade(s) should be visually compatible with
the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
E. The rhythm of solids to voids, created by openings
in the facade, should be visually compatible with the buildings and
environment with which it is visually related.
F. The existing rhythm created by existing building masses
and spaces between them should be preserved.
G. The materials used in the final facade(s) should be
visually compatible with the buildings and environment with which
it is visually related.
H. The texture inherent in the facade should be visually
compatible with the buildings and environment with which it is visually
related.
I. Colors and patterns used on the facade (especially
trim) should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment
with which it is visually related.
J. The design of the roof should be visually compatible
with the buildings and environment with which it is visually related.
K. Architectural details should be incorporated as necessary
to relate the new with the old and to preserve and enhance the inherent
characteristics of the area.
L. All street facade(s) should blend with other buildings
via directional expression. When adjacent buildings have a dominant
horizontal or vertical expression, this expression should be carried
over and reflected.
M. The landscape plan should be sensitive to the individual
building, its occupants and their needs. Further, the landscape treatment
should be visually compatible with the buildings and environment with
which it is visually related.
N. Signage should be visually compatible with the character
of the environment in which it is visually related in terms of scale,
materials, color and texture.