To preserve the integrity of historical districts or landmarks that may be designated by the city council, the design criteria in this division shall be used to compare and evaluate individual structures presented for design review. The intent of this criteria is to ensure the preservation of the architectural and historic character of the structures located within the historic district or landmark. The criteria guidelines, section 62-97, have been adopted from the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior’s revised regulations (36 CFR 67 (1983)) for Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. The criteria provide guidelines for the restoration of existing structures and ensure that new construction will blend with the existing character of the area.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.4; 2001 Code, sec. 62-96; Ordinance 07-2001, sec. 5, adopted 1/2/01)
Design criteria used to compare and evaluate existing structures for rehabilitation within a designated historic district or landmark include the following:
(1) 
Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a compatible use for a property which requires minimal alteration of the building, structure, or site and its environment or to use a property for its originally intended purpose.
(2) 
The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure, or site and its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features shall be prohibited.
(3) 
All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
(4) 
Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
(5) 
Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure, or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
(6) 
Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. If replacement is necessary, the new material should match the material being replaced in composition, design, texture and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplications of features, substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence, rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures.
(7) 
The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage the historic building materials shall not be undertaken.
(8) 
Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve archeological resources affected by or adjacent to any project.
(9) 
Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, and such design is compatible with the size, scale, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment.
(10) 
New additions or alterations to a structure or landmark and/or its environment are subject to review by the Landmark Commission, unless the essential form and integrity of the structure and/or its environment would be unimpaired by the removal of such additions or alterations at a later date.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.4(1); 2001 Code, sec. 62-97; Ordinance 07-2001, sec. 5, adopted 1/2/01; Ordinance 92-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03)
Design criteria used to compare and evaluate new construction within a designated historic district or landmark include the following:
(1) 
Buildings should be constructed to a height within ten percent of the average height of existing adjacent buildings.
(2) 
The relationship between the width and the height of the front elevation and the width to height of windows and doors should be consistent with other buildings in the area.
(3) 
Rhythm, or the ordered recurrent alteration of strong and weak elements of the masses to openings, should be considered.
(4) 
Materials should be consistent with existing structures within the area in design, texture, and other visual qualities.
(5) 
Architectural detail should be consistent with existing structures within the area. Detail may include the selection of cornices, arches, quoins, balustrades, wrought iron work, chimneys or roof shape.
(6) 
The selection of a particular quality and quantity of landscaping should be in continuity with the surrounding area.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.4(2); 2001 Code, sec. 62-98; Ordinance 92-2003, sec. 1, adopted 9/16/03)
Design criteria for general use throughout a designated historic district or landmark include the following:
(1) 
Signs.
Criteria for signs shall be as follow:
a. 
Graphic designs or individual letters mounted or placed directly on the face of a building are generally a preferred sign type.
b. 
Carefully designed signs on boards or plaques mounted flush with the side of the building are generally a preferred sign type.
c. 
There shall be simplicity and restraint in the selection of materials and lighting. Wood, wrought iron, and steel are preferable to plastics and extruded aluminum. Lighting achieved by floodlight or projected light or exposed globes is preferred to backlighting. Signs with rotating, blinking, or other features that appear to be moving are prohibited.
(2) 
Sidewalks and curbs.
Sidewalks and curbs, constructed with an adequate barrier-free and aesthetic manner providing an efficient and convenient system for pedestrian movement are encouraged. Street furniture for comfort and convenience and aesthetically pleasing street hardware, including pedestrian scale lighting fixtures and intensities, are encouraged.
(3) 
Parking and loading.
Off-street parking and loading facilities have an efficient functional relationship to the overall circulation system. The enhancement of the aesthetic quality of off-street parking and loading facilities with unobtrusive and appropriate screening and landscaping is encouraged.
(1966 Code, sec. 2-160.7.4(3); 2001 Code, sec. 62-99)