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rear of the property accessed from unpaved alleys running behind the property. Most properties have trees, shrubbery and/or hedges. All houses conform to the uniform set -back within each block. The district has a compact layout. Large homes are constructed on small lots while smaller homes, such as those on Hammond Place, are constructed on narrow, deep lots. Little of the backyard areas or rear first stories of these homes is visible from the thoroughfare. In recognition of this, greater latitude will be allowed in the application of the adopted standards in the rear of the properties, in order to accommodate the individual preferences of the property owners in the treatment of these backyard areas. No approval will be necessary for changes in lawn, shrubs, walkways or semi-permanent surface changes in the rear of houses. Staff approval would be required for semi-permanent structures such as gazebos, but not for play equipment such as swing sets, sand -boxes, etc. Required Plants, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the properties' history and development shall be retained. Recommended New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings and newspapers. New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. Accessory structures such as decks, gazebos, fountains, or small outbuildings should be appropriate to surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. Plant materials in close proximity to the buildings and which are causing deterioration to the building's historic fabric should be removed and replaced by more suitable flora as approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings or other site elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. Front yard areas shall not be fenced, or fences shall not extend forward beyond the setback line of the property. Telephone or utility poles with high intensity overhead lights should be installed so that they cannot be seen from the thoroughfare. The installation of unsightly, large devices such as television satellite dishes shall not be permitted in areas II. EXISTING STRUCTURES A. BUILDING MATERIALS Original exterior wall materials in the District include brick, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles and masonry block. In some instances, vinyl or aluminum siding has been applied over the original material. Required Original exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through repair, cleaning and painting. The existing architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves should be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Masonry including brick and stucco shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to remove stains, and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes. When repairing stucco, only appropriate stucco mixture shall be used. Recommended Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl may be used as an alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material when it resembles the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices, gables, eaves and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when aluminum or vinyl is to be installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile.