20D.40.150 Old Town District.

20D.40.150-010 Intent.

The intent of this section is to preserve the existing historic landmarks within the district, ensure that development and redevelopment complement the historic character and function of the Downtown’s original pedestrian retail area, and maintain or enhance the historic integrity of the Leary Way corridor. These standards are established to maintain and enhance the traditional “main street” character of the neighborhood, which includes continuous pedestrian-oriented storefronts and pedestrian-scaled streetscapes along the streets. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 2164)

20D.40.150-020 Reserved.

(Ord. 2302)

20D.40.150-030 Site Design.

(1)    Intent. The core of this district, developed between the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, encompasses a variety of periods. The intent of site design standards within the Old Town district is to maintain the historic patterns of land development and general character of the district that was created during this time frame.

(2)    Design Criteria.

(a)    Building Setbacks. Setbacks shall reflect historic patterns. Buildings shall front on the public sidewalk. Structures should be built to the side lot line or the side setback should be five feet or less, not including access width. Rear setbacks may allow for a narrow alley access, for service entrances, or for several stalls of parking. Additions or other remodels are encouraged to match this pattern when feasible.

(b)    New structures should incorporate structured parking or mechanical stacked parking systems. Visible structured parking shall not front along the sidewalk edge except to allow placement of parking entrances. Structured parking should preferably be underground or in backs of structures. Surfaces masking parking shall continue design rhythms, colors, materials, and trims used in the other parts of the structure. Surface lots should be located to the rear of structures.

Figure 1. Parking Design

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 2164)

20D.40.150-040 Building Design.

(1)    The intent of building design standards within the Old Town district is to ensure that historic landmark buildings maintain their prominence within the district and to ensure the character of the original Downtown core is maintained. These building design standards shall apply to all new structures. These standards will also apply to additions or other remodeling whenever it is feasible and in context with the existing structure.

(2)    Building Orientation.

(a)    Entrances shall front towards the sidewalk.

(b)    Peaked roofs, primary roof ridgelines, or roof ridgelines predominant to the viewer shall run from front to back.

Figure 2. Roof Ridgelines for Peaked Roofs

(3)    Building Scale. New construction should be in scale with existing historic patterns. In cases where the scale of the building is larger, techniques should be used to break up the scale of the building to complement existing patterns. These techniques can include variations in roof height, vertical columns to break up facades, changes in roof or parapet detail, use of smaller repeating window patterns, use of fascia on the facade, facade articulation, and stepping back or modulating of upper stories.

Figure 3. Building Scale

Figure 4. Methods to Reduce Scale

(4)    Building Design, Details, and Materials.

(a)    Buildings should incorporate vernacular architectural styles from the periods reflected in the district.

(b)    Buildings should incorporate materials similar to those used on existing historic structures. This includes brick, stucco that is used in the Art Deco style, wood, and stone. Use of modern materials is acceptable to the extent that it differentiates the new structures from historic ones without substantially changing the visual character reflected in the district.

Figure 5. Illustration of Common Wood Siding Materials

(c)    For one- to one-and-one-half-story structures, a false front is allowed on peaked roofs.

(d)    Hipped roofs are discouraged unless they are in context with the period of architecture reflected in the district.

(e)    Additions and other remodeling to existing buildings should closely match or complement the historic architectural styles reflected in the district.

(f)    Buildings shall incorporate details prevalent in the architecture reflected in the district.

Figure 6. Details Encouraged to Enhance Historic Character

(g)    Details such as parapets and bands, windowsills, and door frames shall consist of contrasting materials or color to enhance detail.

(h)    Size of individual windowpanes or false panes shall not exceed the smaller sizes typical of early period glass separated by mullions and rails. For windows above the first story, the height or vertical dimension shall be at least one to one and one-half times the width or horizontal dimension, or mullions or stiles should separate the panes to create a sense that the dimension of the vertical element exceeds the horizontal one.

Figure 7. Window Dimensions Above First Story

(i)    Building fenestration shall consist of numerous individual windows or larger windows having multi-panes to avoid large areas of solid surface.

(j)    For brick, stone, and art deco stucco structures, upper-story windows shall be punched or recessed except for bay windows.

(k)    Details such as soldier course or solid lintels and sills shall be used around windows in brick and stone structures.

Figure 8. Multi-paned Windows and Sill and Lintel Treatments

(l)    Windows shall not start at floor level and shall repeat historic patterns that allowed views to the interior of a storefront.

(m)    Transom windows are encouraged.

Figure 9. Transom Windows and Windows Above Floor Level

(n)    Preferred window dimensions and type are illustrated in Figure 10.

Figure 10. Preferred Window Dimensions and Types

(o)    Recessed entrances are encouraged for storefronts. Porches, courtyard entrances, or stoops are encouraged for ground floor residential units where allowed.

(5)    Building Color.

(a)    New buildings, additions, and other remodels may contrast with that of existing buildings to the extent that use of color still allows a historic landmark building to remain prominent within the district.

(b)    Preferred colors are those that reflect the historic patterns of the district; however, other colors, particularly on nonhistoric structures, will be allowed if they are complementary to surrounding structures. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 2164)

20D.40.150-050 Signage and Awnings.

(1)    Intent. To ensure that all buildings in the Old Town district have signage compatible with, or complementary to, the historic landmark, the period of the structure, or the general period reflected in the district.

(2)    Design Criteria.

(a)    Size of signs shall comply with Chapter 20D.160 RCDG, Signs, unless either compliance would be detrimental to the integrity of a historic landmark or when a design concept is more in keeping with the architecture reflected in the district.

(b)    Preferred Signage. Window signage, painted signage on wooden facades, wood signs, signs on awnings, signs lit by sources other than the sign itself, or decorative signs hung perpendicular to the building facade are encouraged. Wood-facsimile products may be an acceptable substitute. Use of backlit plastic wall signs, extruded aluminum, changing message, or other newer technology signs should not be allowed. Use of neon signs should be limited to window signs or art deco styled buildings.

Figure 11. Preferred Signage

Figure 12. Perpendicular Signage

(c)    Use of signs with logos illustrating trades is encouraged.

Figure 13. Typical Trade Logo Signs

(d)    Awning design, color, and lettering should be compatible with or complementary to the awning styles, colors, and lettering that are typical of the periods reflected in the district.

(e)    For awnings, preferred styles are wedge awnings, bullnose entrance awnings, and flat decorative metal awnings anchored to the structure.

Figure 14. Preferred Awning Styles

(f)    For wedge-style awnings, a narrow awning style is preferred.

Figure 15. Preferred Style for Wedge-Shaped Awnings

(g)    Individual awnings over window and entrance awnings are preferred to wrap-around awnings.

(h)    For awnings, it is preferable that the lettering and logo do not dominate the awning facade unless the lettering style and size is in keeping with the historic period of the structure.

Figure 16. Name and Logo Should Not Dominate Awning

(i)    The use of backlighting on fabric awnings is strongly discouraged. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 2164)

20D.40.150-060 Pedestrian/Customer Elements.

(1)    Intent. The Old Town district should be emphasized as a pedestrian shopping and gathering environment, with comfortable and attractive sidewalks, plazas, informal seating areas, and pedestrian amenities that are consistent with the historic character of the district.

(2)    Design Criteria.

(a)    Trees, Plants, and Flowers. The use of potted plants and flowers as well as street trees is encouraged, but should not impede pedestrian traffic.

(b)    Street Lighting. Street lighting should relate in scale to the historic character of the area. The design of the light standards and luminaires should enhance a historic theme.

(c)    Street Furniture. Public seating, trash receptacles, and informational/directional kiosks should be of uniform design and be provided throughout Old Town. Creation of informal gathering places that are integrated appropriately with the streetscape is encouraged.

(d)    Sidewalks. Paving of sidewalks and other pedestrian rights-of-way should be constructed of a uniform material that is compatible with the historic pedestrian character. The private use of sidewalk rights-of-way areas may be appropriate for seasonal cafe seating or special displays.

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(Ord. 2302)