HomeMy WebLinkAbout12. Historic Residence guidelines and code provisionsExhibit B to Ordinance 3037
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City of Port Townsend
Methodology Scoring System
Design Guidelines and Departures
for Historic Residences
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Purpose
These Design Guidelines for Historic Residences are established for the following purposes
To provide reference to the Historic Residential Inventory Methodology and Scoring
System used to differentiate between contributing and noncontributing historic
residences
2 To provide guidance to historic residential design decisions that will promote
development of high environmental and visual quality throughout the City
To assist applicants in the preparation of development applications
4 To provide for staff level only administrative review by the Development Services
Department DSD for routine permit applications including departure requests that
satisfy guidelines adopted by the Historic Preservation Committee HPC and the City
Council
Introduction
The City of Port Townsends National Historic Landmark District NHLD was established in
1976 and includes commercial residential and institutional structures Residential properties
within the district totaling approximately 700 stmctures were not previously subject to local
historic design review for proposed alternations additions or demolition In response to several
partial or complete demolitions of residential properties in the NHLD in the summer of 2008
interim design review regulations were established while permanent controls could be adopted
As it was unclear the degree to which historic residential structures had been altered since the
1976 survey a new inventory to distinguish between Contributing and NonContributing
historic residences was conducted in the summer of 2009 While the focus of this effort was on
residences within the NHLD the Methodology and Scoring System developed for the survey
was designed so it can be applied to residential properties both within and outside the NHLD
Structures found to be Contributing in the 2009 Inventory were differentiated into three 3
tiers of significance Pivotal Primary and Secondary Definitions for each tier are as follows
Pivotal buildings which were the landmarks of the district hallmarks of architectural or
historical distinction their own merits these buildings are eligible for National Register
listing These buildings strongly define the character of the district through strong
examples of architectural styles craftsmanship exterior detailing and have retained their
integrity Other qualities such as the designerlbuilding or historical significance because
of the association with a prominent person or persons or a historic event may also be
considered
July 12 2010 Design Guidelinesfor Historic Residences
Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
Page 2 of 15
Primary buildings which have strong architectural or historical qualities and which
maintain good integrity but which may not be individually eligible for National Register
listing Primary buildings have to a lesser extent than pivotal buildings strong character
defining features but generally lack the level of architectural detailing style and
craftsmanship exhibited in pivotal building
Secondary buildings which have moderate historical or architectural qualities and which
have maintained good but not perfect integrity Secondary buildings first and foremast
contribute the character ofthe district particularly in terms of scale and massing but lack
the architectural detailing and styling of pivotal and primary buildings and may have
been constructed or altered after the period of significance for the district 18701920
The complete Methodology and Scoring System is attached as Exhibit A to these Historic
Residential Design Guidelines It sets forth the details on which elements of a residence were
being scored how scoring of these elements was assigned and the number of points needed by a
residence to achieve a particular tier
The Methodology and Scoring System also resulted in a checklist or scoring sheet that was used
to catalog each residence surveyed in the 2009 Historic Residential Inventory The complete
collection of these scoring sheets is on file electronically with the Development Services
Department and was adopted by reference into municipal code via Ordinance 3037
Review Process
A Unless exempted by PTMC 1730026 no development or improvement regulated by
PTMC 1730 may be initiated without design review and recommendation by the Historic
Preservation Committee HPC and issuance of a certificate of approval by the DSD Director
except as provided below minor residential alterations can be administratively reviewed and
approved by the DSD Director without HPC review and recommendation
1 Minor Alterations Minor alterations that are administratively approved include
a Repairs or restoration of historic features or elements
b Changes in roofing material
c Replacement in kind or substantially in kind of windows using the same or similar
sash and pane configuration including use of compatible substitute materials
d New railings
e Americans with Disabilities Act ADA accommodations
f Fences
g Garages and outbuildings
h New additions less than 300 square feet in size on nonprimary facades
Nothing prevents the DSD Director from obtaining HPC recommendation on a proposed minor
alteration andor working with HPC to establish guidelines to implement applications for minor
alterations
B Review of any alteration proposed to Secondary residential structures with the exception
of demolition or partial demolition may be performed administratively by the DSD Director
without consultation and recommendation by the HPC
July I2 2010 2 Design Guidelinesfor Historic Residences
Exhibit B to Ordinance 3037
Page 3 of 15
Design Guidelines
In its review ofresidential development designated or eligible to be designated on the Port
Townsend list of historic places occurring within the historic overlay district the HPC and the
DSD Director shall apply the following design standards in addition to those set forth in PTMC
1730140 The standards shall only apply to the work or alteration for which a permit is sought
and shall not be applied to require an owner to change or restore other existing conditions or
improvements to meet these standards Sample illustrations of additions to historic residences
are contained in Exhibit B to these Guidelines
A General Standards
1 Principal facades The principal historic facades of residential development shall be
preserved A principal facade shall be defined as a facade that fronts on any adjacent
public rightofway not including alleys Minor alterations that do not adversely affect
the integrity of the principal facade may be permitted provided that the proponent can
demonstrate that the minor alteration is necessary to accommodate the continued viable
use of the residence Examples of allowable minor alterations include accommodations
to meet lifesafety requirements the use of new materials when historic materials are no
longer available are structurally impractical andor are energy inefficient provided that
the new materials match the historic use closely Functional adaptation of identified
historic principal facades may be permitted provided that the adaptation is the minimum
and least obtrusive necessary and still meets the Secretary of the Interiors Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving Rehabilitating
Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings 1995 including any amendments
to accommodate continued use
2 New Additions
a To preserve the character and integrity of principal historic facades any proposed
additions to a historic residence shall be located to the reaz or side of the subject
property consistent with the following requirements
b Proposed side additions shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the building line
of the principal historic facades
c In the case of historic residences that aze located on corner lots that have two principal
historic facades additions shall only be permitted on the side containing anon
principal historic facades
d Additions that expand the residence by increasing the vertical height of the structure
shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the building line of the principal historic
facades
e Additions shall be harmonious with the design of the historic residence shall clearly
be of their own period and shall not be imitative of the original historic design
f Proposed additions shall be secondazy design elements that aze supportive of the
integrity of the original historic residence
3 Accessory structures
a Accessory structures such as garages ADUs or other similar structures shall be
located to the rear or side of the subject property consistent with the following
requirements
July 12 2010 Design Guidelinesfor Historic Residences
Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
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b Proposed accessory structures shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the
building line of the principal historic fagades
c In the case of historic residences that are located on comer lots that have two principal
historic facades accessory structures shall be permitted on the side containing a
principal historic facade provided that their proposed location minimizes view
blockage of the historic facade from the adjacent publicrightofway
B Specific Standards Pivotal Residences
In its review of alterations to residences designated or eligible to be designated as Pivotal the
HPC and the DSD Director shall apply the following design standards in addition to those set
forth in PTMC 1730140 and PTMC 1730158A
Exterior additions or modifications to Pivotal structures shall be designed in a manner
that maintains and not destroy the preexisting elements that characterize the buildings
historic integrity
2 The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the
massing size scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the
property and its environment
The present height of the existing structure shall remain intact Any additions or
modifications would not exceed the roofline of the original structure
4 Compatible materials that respect the visual appearance of the existing structure shall be
used
5 Patterns and orientation of door and window openings represented in the existing
structure shall be respected
b Additions and new construction shall be located to conceal them to the extent possible
from the street level view from the adjacent right of way For corner lots the additions
and new construction shall be located to make them as unobtrusive as possible from the
view from the adjacent right of way and preserve to the maximum extent possible the
principal facade
7 The present roof pitches of the existing structure shall be maintained where such element
is visible from the adjacent right ofway
8 New additions exterior alterations or related new construction shall not destroy historic
materials that characterize the property The new work shall be differentiated from the
old and shall be compatible with the massing size scale and architectural features to
protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment
9 New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a
manner that if removed in the future the essential form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired
July 12 2010 Design Guidelinesfor Historic Residences
Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
Page 5 of 15
C Specific Standards Primary Residences
In its review of alterations to residences designated or eligible to be designated as Primary
the HPC and the DSD Director shall apply the following design standards in addition to those
set forth in PTMC 1730140 and in PTMC 1730158fA
1 Exterior additions or modifications to Primary structures shall be designed in a manner
that maintains the preexisting characteristics that contribute to the buildings historic
integrity These characteristic include the massing scale height and architectural
features of the structure
2 Exterior additions or modifications may be permitted to the side or rear of the building
provided that the scale and architectural details of the principal facades are preserved
3 Additions to Primary structures shall be designed in a manner that is consistent with the
Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation and shall be subordinate and
supportive elements to the preexisting structure
4 Additions and new construction shall be located to make them as unobtrusive as possible
from the view from the adjacent right of way
D Specific Standards Secondary Residences
In its review of alterations to residences designated or eligible to be designated as Secondary
the DSD Director shall apply the following design standards in addition to those set forth in
PTMC 1730140 and PTMC 1730158A
Restoration activities that remove materials siding roofing etc andor features doors
windows etc that are inappropriate to the historic period in which the subject property
was built are strongly encouraged Replacement materials andor features shall closely
approximate appropriate historic design but are not required to be exact reproductions of
those found on the residence at the time of initial construction
Departures
A historic residential departure is a request by a historic home owner for relief from a
particular design guideline or dimensional requirement through an alternative technique or
standard not otherwise permitted by code Departures can allow expansionsrenovations of a
historic home to better fit into their immediate site or neighborhood context without a significant
loss of architectural integrity or neighborhood character
A Allowable Departures
Through the design review process in PTMC 1730159D departures maybe allowed from
the following design guidelines andor bulk and dimensional standards
1 Location of proposed additions 2 Location of proposed accessory structures
3 Building setbacks
July 12 2010
4 Modulation requirements
Design Guidelinesfor Historic Residences
Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
Page 6 of 15
5 Lot coverage requirements and 6 Daylight plane requirements
Sample illustrations of the above departures are contained in Exhibit C to these Guidelines
B Departure Approval Criteria
For a departure to be approved an applicant must demonstrate the proposal is consistent with
the following criteria
1 The proposed departure does not significantly detract from the historic chazacter and
nature of the historic residential property for which it is proposed
2 The proposed departure is consistent with the existing land use pattern with regard to the
standazd being varied
3 The proposed departure does not interfere with or negatively impact existing and
permitted uses within the zoning district it occupies
4 The proposed deparurre does not constitute a threat to the public health safety and
general welfare within the city and
5 The proposed departure is minor in nature and would not constitute a grant of special
privilege inconsistent with the limitation upon uses ofother properties in the vicinity and
zoning district in which the subject property is located
C Departure Notice Approval and Review Process
For all departure requests involving Pivotal or Primary residences review and
recommendation by the HPC to the DSD Director shall be obtained consistent with PTMC
17309159E1 For all departure requests involving a Secondary residence the DSD
Director shall determine if the approval criteria have been met and issue the certificate of
review including any modifications conditions or denial of approval consistent with PTMC
1730159E2 However nothing prevents the DSD Director from requesting HPC
recommendation on a Secondary residential departure request
The following departure requests aze processed as Type IA actions administrative
without notice administrative appeal by applicant only established in Chapter 2001
PTMC
a Location of proposed additions
b Location of proposed accessory structures
c Modulation requirements
2 The following departure requests shall be processed as Type II actions administrative
approval with mailed and posted notice appeal by applicant or party of record to the
hearing examiner and notice shall conform to the requirements of PTMC 2001150
a Building setbacks
b Lot coverage requirements
c Daylight plane requirements
July 12 2010 Design Guidelinesfor Historic Residences
Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
Page 7 of 75
City of Port Townsend
Historic Residential Property Inventory Methodology and
Scoring System 2010 Inventory
Project Purpose and Need
The City of Port Townsends National Historic Landmark District NHLD was
established in 1976 and includes commercial residential and institutional structures The
survey of historic properties completed in 1976 established five tiers of classifications for
properties within the district including
Pivotal buildings which were the landmarks of the district hallmarks of
architectural or historical distinction their own merits these buildings are eligible
for National Register listing These buildings strongly define the character of the
district through strong examples of architectural styles craftsmanship exterior
detailing and have retained their integrity Other qualities such as the
designerbuilding or historical significance because of the association with a
prominent person or persons or a historic event may also be considered
Primary buildings which have strong architectural or historical qualities and
which maintain good integrity but which may not be individually eligible for
National Register listing Primary buildings have to a lesser extent than pivotal
buildings strong chazacter defining features but generally lack the level of
architectural detailing style and craftsmanship exhibited in pivotal building
Secondary buildings which have moderate historical or azchitectural qualities
and which have maintained good but riot perfect integrity Secondary buildings
first and foremast contribute the character of the district particularly in terms of
scale and massing but lack the architectural detailing and styling of pivotal and
primary buildings and may have been constructed or altered after the period of
significance for the district 1870920
Altered Historic buildings that are over 50 years old but have been altered to
the extent to which they have little historic or aesthetic value and do not have
strong character defining features for the district
Recent compatible A building less than 50 years old but that was designed and
constructed such that the building is compatible with the style scale and massing
in the district
Intrusion new buildings built within the last 50 years that are not compatible
with the style scale and massing within the district and out therefore out of
character with the district
Residential properties within the district totaling approximately 700 structures have not
been subject to local design or historic review for proposed alternations additions or
demolition However interim design review regulations were established 18 months ago
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Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
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for residential properties in the district Therefore it is unclear the degree to which the
residential structures have been altered since the 1976 survey and the effect the
alterations will effect the property classifications listed above Despite the lack of local
regulations for either design review or revision by the Historic Preservation Committee
many properties appear to have been accurately restored to reflect the original historic
features In other cases structures have had unsympathetic alterations that have degraded
the historic building features
A new inventory to distinguish between Contributing and NonContributing historic
residences is the primary purpose ofthis effort Structures found to be Contributing
will be differentiated into three 3 tiers of significance Pivotal Primary and Secondary
When completed and adopted the survey would assist the City in drafting new
regulations to address proposed alterations and demolitions ofhistoric residential
properties
Methodology
Based on the established purpose and need of the project the methodology used to
assess the historic and aesthetic value of residential properties within the district
focused on the physical qualities of the buildings and the aesthetic value within the
streetscape Other factors such as the building designerPouilder and historic events
were deemphasized in order to provide for a timely completion of the project and to
emphasize the visual contributions to the character of the neighborhood
Project Tasks
Reviewed the Jefferson County Historic Societys database of historic properties
and the map generated by the 1976 National Park Service effort leading to
creation of the Port Townsend NHLD
Generated a checklist for use in evaluating and scoring the properties The
checklist and scoring system was based on the following criteria
o Building Exterior The quality of the form composition detailing and
ornament in part on originality artistic merit craftsmanship and
sensitivity to surroundings and overall visual quality
o Style Significant as an example of a particular architectural style type or
convention
o Age Ofparticuiar age in relationship of the periods of development of
buildings in the area
o ContinuityContext Contributes to the visual historic or other
environmental continuity or character of the street area
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Exhibit B to Ordinance 3037
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o Alterations Degree of alteration done to important exterior materials and
design features include the reestablishment of historic features through
alteration
o Reversibility Extent to which integrity losses can be reversed and ease
or difficulty of making such corrections
Took photos of each residential property in the district to identify key historic
building features with emphasis on views from the street
Using the checklist surveyed and scored the physical characteristics of each
residential property in the district
Produced a GIS Layer identifying the updated residential property classifications
Identified alternatives for addressing the preservation of these structures through
new local regulations to include designhistoricpyeservation review and potential
restrictions on demolition
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Exhibit 8 to Ordinance 3037
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Survey Checklist Appendix A
Methodology
I Ranking Definitions The ratings listed below are considered on a relative basis
and are not absolute ratings but rather based on a comparison to other
buildings within the landmark district
a Fzcellent An excellent rating identifies buildings in the district as
exhibiting exemplary attributes within the category that are not commonly
found on other buildings
b Good A rating of good is above average for buildings within the district
and the rating signifies the building shows strong attributes relative to the
category
c Fair A fair rating is average for the district and the building does not
distinguish itself from other buildings in the district to any significant
degree
d Poor A poor rating is below average for the district and is reserved for
buildings that are substandard rating relative to the underlying category
II Alteration Definitions The rankings that relate to alterations are more absolute
than relative as they define the degree to which the alterations have negatively
impacted the historic and visual integrity of the buildings and the degree to
which they are reversible
a Significant Alteration An alteration or alterations have occurred which
have significant negative impact on the buildings historic and visual
integrity Examples include the removal of significant parts of the original
building major additions that significantly detract from original building
integrity or unsympathetic siding
b Minor Alterations Alterations that have had a minor impact on the
historic integrity and visual appeal of the building Examples include
unsympathetic windows a minor addition or porch or removal of
outbuildings
c No Significant Alterations No significant alterations have been done to
the structure that affect the historic integrity or visual appeal of the
structure
IIIReversibility The reversibility criteria like those for alterations are absolute
and not based on the relative attributes amongst buildings in the district
a Easily reversible Alterations that can be easily reversed in terms of cost
and labor Examples include changing windows or siding or removing a
minor addition
b Reversible Alterations that are physically possible but are more difficult
in terms of cost and labor Examples include the removal of significant
additions or reconstructing exterior detailing that was previously removed
damaged
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EzhaGat B to Ordaance 3037
Page 71 oJS
c Not Reversible Alterations that cannot be reversed in teens of cost and
labor Examples include the removal of historic sections of the home or
the loss of most exterior detailing
IV Ranking Point System
a Building Features
i Excellent 3 Points 2 for Age
ii Good 2 Points 1 for Age
iii Fair 1 Point
iv Poor 0 Points
b Alterations
i SiguificantAlteration2 Points
ii Minor Alteration1 Point
iii No Significant Alteration 1 Points
c Reversibility
i Easily Reversible 2 Points for Significant Alteration1 Point for
Minor
ii Reversible 1 Point for Significant Alteration0 Points for Minor
Aiteratiou
iii Not Reversible 0 Points
V Property Classifications
a Pivotal 1518 Points
b Primary 1014 Points
c Secondary 59 Points
d NonContributing 04
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Exhibit B to Ordinance 3037
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Exhibit B to Ordinance 3037
Page 13 of 15
Exhibit C Sample Departures for Historic Residences
1 Location of proposed additions
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July 12 2010
Exhibit B to Ordinance 3037
Page 14 of 15
3 Building setbacks
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4 Modulation requirements
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July 12 2010
Exhibit B to Ordinance 3037
Page 15 of i5
6 Lot coverage requirements
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July 12 2010