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The Commission has the authority to determine the architectural merits and the extent of any proposed treatment, renovation, or addition to a
<br />historic landmark. The commission will require drawings, plans, specifications, and/or samples where appropriate.
<br />A. Maintenance
<br />The maintenance of any historical structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general cleaning and
<br />upkeep of the landmark. The Commission shall encourage the proper maintenance of all structure or sites (appendix A: Minimum
<br />Maintenance Standards).
<br />B. Treatment
<br />Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface materials that will not alter the style or original form. Such improvements include re-
<br />roofing, glazing, or landscaping lawns and may involve a change that can potentially enhance or detract from the character of the landmark.
<br />A treatment change of any surface whether on the landmark or in its environment may require a Certificate of Appropriateness if it
<br />significantly alters the appearance of the landmark. Although these kinds of changes may not require a Building Permit, a Certificate of
<br />Appropriateness may be necessary. The commission should review the proposed treatment for character and style consistency with the
<br />original surfaces.
<br />C. Renovation and Additions
<br />Renovation is the modification of a structure, which does not alter the general massing while an addition, is a change in mass. A
<br />modification, which involves the removal of a part of the landmark, should be considered under demolition (see demolition).
<br />Additions to landmarks should not detract from the original form and unity of the landmark and should not cover singular examples of
<br />architectural detail. Additions to landmarks should be added in a manner that does not disrupt the visible unity of overall appearance of the
<br />site. The proportions, materials and ratios of the existing structures should be carried through in the additions. Care should be taken not to
<br />change or alter the following:
<br />1. Structure—–Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to cause
<br />minimal visual change to the original style and construction.
<br />2. Material—Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the
<br />original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original.
<br />a. wood—all wood trim should conform with existing trim in shape and size.
<br />b. siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional siding.
<br />Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar to the original when
<br />renovation is considered.
<br />D. Demolition
<br />Historic landmarks shall not be demolished. When a landmark poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only alternative,
<br />documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other descriptive methods should be made of both the exterior and interior of
<br />the landmark. The person or agency responsible for demolition of the landmark shall be responsible for this documentation.
<br />E. Moving
<br />The moving of landmarks is discouraged, however, moving is preferred to demolition. When moving is necessary, the owner of the
<br />landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
<br />F. Signs
<br />No neon or flashing signs will be permitted unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and super-graphics will also be disallowed.
<br />Only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business.
<br />G. Building Site and Landscaping
<br />(These standards apply to both A and B)
<br />1. Required
<br />Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the
<br />property’s history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. Structures such as: gazebos, patio
<br />decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises, and
<br />other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed
<br />from a public way.
<br />2. Recommended
<br />New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and
<br />newspapers. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the buildings historic
<br />fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable
<br />flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing
<br /> appropriate. Fencing should be in character with the buildings style, materials, and scale.
<br />3. Prohibited
<br />No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways,
<br />outbuildings, and 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. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception
<br />dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares.
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<br />RIVERSIDE DRIVE LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT – STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES EXCERPT
<br />III. NEW CONSTRUCTION
<br />New construction includes any new building or structure constructed within the boundaries of the historic district, or any new
<br />addition to an existing building. New construction should be designed considering the appearance of the other buildings in the
<br />neighborhood.
<br />a. HEIGHT AND PROPORTION
<br />the majority of structures in the district are two stories high and are square, rectangular, or irregular in plan. There are a
<br />few story-and-a-half residences. The prevalent façade proportions are between a 1:1 and a 1:2 height-to-width ratio.
<br />Required
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