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Whenever possible, the original features should be restored. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to buildings or streets that are causing deterioration to those elements should be removed. Do not dump leaves and grass clippings on planted slopes as this practice will kill much of the low ground cover and leave soil susceptible to erosion. When replacement of utility poles or power lines is necessary, consideration should be given to underground conduits or utility poles erected along property lines. Prohibited Existing relationships of buildings and their environments shall not be destroyed through widening or closing of existing streets and alleys or by introducing new streets, alleys or parking lots. Signs, streetlights, benches, new plant materials, fencing, walkways and paving materials which are out of scale or inappropriate to the neighborhood may not be used. The erection of high walls or barriers which would alter the relationship of the houses and the river is prohibited. The introduction of heavy trucks or similar vehicles in the District shall be prohibited. Utility poles with high intensity over head lights shall not be used on main thoroughfares. B. BUILDING SITE, LANDSCAPING, & ACCESSORIES Individual properties in the district are characterized by a house located near the front of each lot, with a small lawn in front and a larger lawn to the rear of the property. Those properties facing the river on Riverside Drive generally have sloping front lawns and flat back yards. The majority of structures have been erected on a single lot. Many of the properties include a garage located at the 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 where they can be viewed from the public thoroughfare. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed project. C.D. Hostetler, Director