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Definition
<br />- the term "trees" in the following standards shall be defined as follows:
<br />shade trees - twelve (12) inches in diameter.
<br />ornamental trees - four (4) inches in diameter or fifteen (15) feet in height.
<br />evergreen trees - eight (8) inches in diameter or fifteen (15) feet in height*.
<br />Any removal or planting of trees which are of the sizes indicated above or larger shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation
<br />Commission. *Definition of trees by David Barncord, ASLA, Indiana Certified Landscape Architect, THE LANDSCAPE
<br />DESIGN COMPANY, INC.
<br />Required
<br />Distinctive existing features such as brick entry pillars, parks, gardens, streetlights, fences, signs, walkways, streets and building
<br />setbacks shall be retained. Major landscaping items, fencing, walkways, streetlights, signs and benches shall be compatible with
<br />the character of the neighborhood in size, scale, material and color. Street lighting should be maintained at levels recommended
<br />by the Illuminating Engineering Society. Light sources must have spectral distribution in all color ranges. Older light fixtures and
<br />supporting posts must be similar in proportion, scale, size, shape, style, and appearance to the existing historic lamps. Streetlights
<br />shall be placed so that adequate illumination is afforded all sections of public sidewalks (refer to Appendix A).
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original features should be restored. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to buildings, sidewalks
<br />or streets that are causing deterioration to those elements should be removed. As much natural vegetation as possible should be
<br />preserved. If large shrubs become unsightly to the point of detracting from the historic character of the house or site, they should
<br />be cut back and allowed to rejuvenate. Dead and diseased material should be selectively removed. Trees and major landscaping
<br />elements that must be removed for one reason or another should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. When replacement of
<br />utility poles or power supply lines is necessary, consideration should be given to underground conduits or utility poles erected
<br />along rear property lines. The curb height should be sufficient to maintain adequate drainage of the street. If older light fixtures
<br />are taken down in the city, they should be reserved for use in the historic district. Light fixtures on top of the brick pillars at the
<br />Eddy Street entryway should be replaced according to these standards.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Existing relationships of buildings and their environments shall not be destroyed through widening existing streets, application of
<br />asphalt or other bituminous coverings, or by introducing new streets or parking lots. Signs, streetlights, benches, major
<br />landscaping items, fencing, walkways and paving materials which are out of scale or inappropriate to the neighborhood may not
<br />be used. The introduction of heavy trucks or similar vehicles in the District shall be prohibited.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />High-intensity overhead streetlights should not be used.
<br />B. BUILDING SITE, LANDSCAPING AND ACCESSORIES
<br />Individual properties in the district are characterized by a house located in the center of a flat lawn, often divided by a walk
<br />leading to the front entrance. Several of the residences are sited on two or more building lots; however, the preponderance of the
<br />homes have been erected on a single lot. Most of the properties include a double garage, usually located at the rear of the
<br />property. The majority of garages are accessed from straight driveways leading from the main thoroughfare, while a few are
<br />accessed from the alley. There are also a few homes with a covered carport located at the rear of the property, as well as a few
<br />with circular driveways. Driveway and sidewalk materials include concrete, asphalt and brick. All of the properties have trees
<br />and most have trimmed shrubbery and/or hedges. Most of the houses conform to a uniform setback line within each block.
<br />Required
<br />Major landscaping items, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property's
<br />history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. Structures such as gazebos, patio decks,
<br />fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, greenhouses, new walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises and other
<br />similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and the neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed
<br />from a public walkway.
<br />Recommended
<br />New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings
<br />and newspapers. New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. Plant
<br />materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the building's historic fabric should be
<br />removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. All high
<br />intensity security lights should be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
<br />Prohibited
<br />No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways,
<br />outbuildings or other elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas
<br />shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. Front yard areas shall not be fenced and fences shall not
<br />extend forward beyond the setback line of the house. The installation of unsightly devices such as television reception dishes and
<br />solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from the public thoroughfare.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Telephone or utility poles with high-intensity overhead lights should be installed so that they cannot be seen from the
<br />thoroughfare.
<br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the application items as they are in accordance with the
<br />guidelines for East Wayne Street.
<br />Elicia Feasel,
<br />Assistant Director
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