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HRAB 02-21-95 Meeting AgendaCOUNTY of FRFD RT K Department of Planning and Development 703/665-5651 Fax 703/678-0682 MEMORANDUM TO: Historic Resources Advisory Board Members FROM: Eric R. Lawrence, Planner I e/ -- SUBJECT: February Meeting and Agenda DATE: February 14, 1995 There will be a meeting of the Historic Resources Advisory Board at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 1995, in the Conference Room of the Old Frederick County Courthouse, 9 Court Square, Winchester, Virginia. The ARAB will discuss the following issues: AGENDA Update on the Historical Plaque Program. 2 Draft of the guidelines for new commercial construction in historic areas. 3. Other. A conceptual draft of the new commercial construction guidelines is attached. Please contact me if you are unable to attend the meeting. Thank you. Historic Resources Advisory Board: Guidelines for Frederick County, Virginia The following guidelines are hereby adopted by the Frederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board ("HRAB") to assist its consideration of applications for new commercial construction in Historic Area Overlay ("HA") zones under the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance. These guidelines should not be viewed as a means of dictating a specific design response to a given design problem, nor should they be seen as prohibiting any articular approach. New and untried approaches to common design problems associated with historic sites and structures should not be rejected merely because of novelty. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis, within the framework set out here. For purposes of these guidelines, the term "designated site" shall mean that site, structure, or other feature, which has been designated as an historic resource by the Board of Supervisors, in its imposition on an HA zone on any property or properties within the County. "Commercial construction" includes, for example, all non-residential construction such as retail stores, office buildings, automobile service stations, restaurants of all types, churches and non-profit organization facilities. In evaluating application for permits under 165-114 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance ► All applications for new construction must comply with the requirements of applicable zoning regulations prior to consideration by the FIRAB. Building Design ► All buildings are products of their own time; new construction should not create an appearance with no historical basis. No effort shall be made to replicate or recreate a period (Civil War, Prehistoric) motif by means of period architecture of materials, in new structures. ► No single architectural style is mandated. However, there is preference for buildings which reflect traditional architecture. Designs generally should complement and reflect the architectural heritage of the county. Direct copying of buildings is discouraged. ► Buildings at key locations of roadway intersections should serve as landmarks and focal points for the overall area. The use of visible roof forms rather than flat roofs, multi -story buildings rather than single -story massing, and architectural details should be encouraged throughout the HA zone. ► Side and rear walls which face open areas should be designed with as much attention to detail as the primary facade. It is the general preference that surface articulation be provided on otherwise unrelieved side walls to break-up apparent massing, through such means as the articulation of false windows, pilaster and changes in brick patterns. ► The Board is cognizant of 20th century infrastructure requirements, but such items as electrical meters and transformers, HVAC equipment and solid waste management equipment should be visually and acoustically screened from public view. Building Siting ► Buildings should be designed and sited to reduce the need for topographic modifications to the site. If buildings must be sited in areas of significant slope, they should make use of multiple stories and multi-level access to retain the natural topography of the site. ► All new construction should attempt to protect and preserve significant archaeological resources. ► No structure should be so located or of such height, as to unreasonably affect protected viewsheds around designated sites. Parking Location ► Maintain the integrity of the area's historic resources by minimizing the dominance of the automobile. Parking facilities should be placed in locations which de-emphasize their use, and emphasizes the main structure. This may be accomplished by exercising site layout options and landscaping techniques which attempt to camouflage the parking facilities. Building Materials ► The predominant building materials for commercial buildings in historic districts are stone, wood and brick. Stucco coatings are very rarely used in historic districts. ► Newly constructed buildings should be of natural and aesthetically pleasing materials. The use of metal and cinder block materials should be discouraged. Roofing materials, such as cedar shake, which were prevalent during the historic period, should be encouraged. ► So far as is reasonably practicable, bright or garish colors should be avoided, and preference should be given to earth tones of brown, red, yellow, and green, or other subdued colors. Landscaping ► The use of appropriate landscaping (plant materials) native to or traditionally used in Frederick County will enhance visual continuity with the surrounding historical area landscapes. The use of species that are winter hardy and drought tolerant should be encouraged. ► Lighting should be of such construction, materials, height, and brightness, as not to adversely effect the designated site. All rear areas of a developed site should be fenced with board -on -board, or other similar fencing, not including chain-link fencing, which shall serve to provide screening of the rear of such construction or development from the designated site so far as it may reasonably be possible to do so. Signage ► The location, design, configuration, materials and color of all proposed signs and associated structures should be in character with the historic and scenic settings of Frederick County. These signs should not visually dominate buildings or sites. - Free-standing and projecting wall signs should be limited in height- - One free-standing or projecting sign should be permitted per parcel - Wall signs should be limited in height above grade and one sign per parcel frontage.