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the river from across Riverside Drive, while in another portion, residences are situated on both sides of the street, with some properties abutting the river and others located across the drive. The district also includes homes located on Hudson and Golden Streets, between the drive and the alley defining the southern boundary of the district, as well as three separate park areas which lie adjacent to the river's edge: a portion of Leeper Park to the East; all of Shetterly Park in the middle and a portion of Brownfield Part to the West. Required Distinctive existing features such as parks, gardens, streetlights, fences, signs, benches, walkways streets alleys and building setbacks shall be retained. New plant materials, fencing, walkways, streetlights, signs, and benches shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood in size, scale, material and color. Street lighting should be maintained at levels recommended by the Illumination Engineering Society. Light sources must have spectral distribution in all color ranges. Sources and light posts should be uniform throughout the district. Lamp fixtures and supporting posts must be similar in proportion, scale and detail to existing historic lamps (see appendix) or a suitable replacement which closely duplicates the standard in size, shape, style, and appearance, i.e., Hedwig Lighting Company Standard or similar. Streetlights should be placed so that adequate illumination is afforded all sections of the public sidewalks. Tree and landscaping elements that must be removed for one reason to another shall be immediately replaced by suitable flora. The river front neighborhood character of the district shall be retained. Recommended Whenever possible, the original features should be restored. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to buildings, sidewalks, or streets that are causing deterioration to those elements should be removed. If erosion control efforts become necessary to preserve the riverbank, they should involve processes and materials consistent with the natural beauty of the banks. Large, deep-rooted trees and shrubs as well as fast spreading ground cover should be used when planting for erosion control. As much natural vegetation as possible should be preserved. If large shrubs become unsightly, they should be cut back and allowed to rejuvenate. Dead and diseased material should be selectively removed. Do not dump leaved and grass clippings on planted slopes as this practice will kill much of the low ground cover and leave soil more susceptible to erosion. When replacement of utility poles or power supply lines is necessary, consideration should be given to underground conduits or utility poles erected along rear property lines Prohibited Existing relationships of buildings and their environments shall not be destroyed through widening existing streets, application of asphalt or other bituminous coverings, or by introducing new streets or parking lots. Signs, streetlights, benches, major landscaping items, fencing; walkways and paving materials which are out of scale or • inappropriate to the neighborhood may not be used. The introduction of heavy trucks or similar vehicles in the district shall be prohibited. B. MECHANICAL SYSTEMS The majority of the structures within the district have oil or gas heat, and have brick chimneys through the roof. Some houses have one or two window air conditioners. Required Mechanical systems shall be placed in areas that will result in the least possible alteration to the structural integrity and physical appearance of the building. Solar collectors and TV dishes shall be placed at the rear of the property and shielded by shrubbery and landscaping. Recommended Window air conditioners and exhaust fans should be installed at the rear or at an inconspicuous side window. Original lighting fixtures should be retained whenever possible. Prohibited Holes shall not be cut through walls or roofs to accommodate air conditioners or other mechanical equipment in areas that can be seen from the street. Not Recommended Exterior electrical and telephone cables should not be attached to the street elevation of buildings. • STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval, as this project addresses long-standing desires from the neighborhood to address the faulty or irregular lighting circuit. The new electrical wiring will ensure that the existing street poles are lit and functional. The luminaires will be converted to LED bulbs, which produce more light (as is visible on the examples that have already been converted). Staff would recommend that the TESCO box be shielded from the street and is of the understanding that staff from City Engineering would be explicit conveying these concerns to the contractor for its location and treatment, including paint color. Written by Adam Toering Historic Preservation Specialist 7