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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 al ternative, <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. <br /> <br /> <br />RIVERSIDE DRIVE LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT – STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES EXCERPT <br />III. NEW CONSTRUCTION <br />New construc tion 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 <br />The height of a new structure and its height-to-width proportions shall be consistent with adjacent buildings in the <br />district. The building height shall be no greater than that of the lowest existing structure of the same type in the same <br />block. Façade proportions shall be established by permitting no structure with a façade wider or narrower than those <br />existing in the same block. Additions to existing buildings shall be related in height and proportion to the existing <br />structure. <br />Recommended <br />Contemporary designs should be compatible in character and mood to the building or neighborhood. <br />Prohibited <br />Additions may not be constructed that would change the existing façade of a building, alter its scale or architectural <br />character, or add new height. <br />Not Recommended <br />New stories should not be added not should existing stories be removed which would destroy important architectural <br />details, features and spaces of the building. Any style or period of architecture that is incompatible with what exists style <br />should not be permitted in new additions. <br />b. BUILDING MATERIALS <br />Walls materials in the district range from brick, stucco, clapboard, shingles, aluminum and vinyl siding. <br />Required