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Home My WebLink About040224 HPC Meeting Packet- Added After MeetingCity of Port Townsend Design Guidelines for Windows In Historic Structures Purpos These Design Guidelines are established for the following purposes: 1. To supplement land use regulations which encourage and promote public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Port Townsend. 2. To provide guidance to urban design decisions that will promote development of high environmental and visual quality throughout the City. 3. To assist applicants in the preparation of development applications. 4. To provide for administrative review by the Development Services Department (DSD) of routine window permit applications that satisfy guidelines adopted by the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) and the City Council. Introduction Windows have four basic functions: (1) admitting light to the interior spaces; (2) ordinarily providing fresh air, ventilation and potential emergency egress to the interior; (3) providing a visual link to the outside world; and, (4) enhancing the appearance of the building. Windows are one of the most a character defining features of a building. Their pattern, arrangement, materials, size and shape all contribute to the historic significance of the structure they serve. In Port Townsend, most original historic residential windows are rectangular wooden, double - hung sash, as are those on the upper floors of commercial buildings. Sashes are frequently further divided into individual panes, or "lights." Commercial buildings frequently have large fixed "picture" windows on the ground floor raised above the sidewalk via a "kickplate." These windows are often accented by separate fixed transom windows located immediately above. Fixed "fan" windows in arched openings also are found above the upper floor double -hung windows in several buildings in the commercial downtown. Less frequent, but still employed, are bay windows on the upper floors. Windows are a frequently tar -get blamed for energy loss. Historic building owners commonly seek to replace their original wood windows on with the expectation that replacement ones is are an environmentally correct improvement and that it will save them time and money. However, experts indicate that only between 10-25% of energy loss actually comes from windows. In reality, most heat loss comes from a poorly insulated attic and/or walls or an inefficient fireplace damper. Replacement windows frequently have a limited lifespan of 20 years, while a properly maintained historic wood window can last up to 200 years. In many cases, in the span of time it takes to "save" enough money due to energy savings efficiency, it is likely that "new" windows will may have to be replaced again. Over the long term, greater savings can be achieved through Design Guidelines for Windows proper maintenance and weather stripping of historic windows, combined with a well fitting storm windows, which approaches the energy efficiency of double pane windows. Review Process 1. All building permit applications for window replacement on historic residences, which follow these guidelines, designated as Secondary contributing structures shall be reviewed administratively by DSD staff with a decision made by the DSD Director. Said review shall not require a separate design review application but findings regarding appropriateness of the proposed window replacement shall be made as part of the building permit application itself. 2. Building permit applications for window replacement on all other structures subject to PTMC 17.30 (i.e. Pivotal and Primary residences, all other commercial, public, religious and maritime trade and industrial buildings within the historic overlay district, other historic structures lying outside the historic overlay district) shall be subject to Type I -A review and recommendation by the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) with a final decision made by the DSD Director in a formal Certificate of Approval, ('94.'A[+" N0 -l4`: 1-1C„1,1 "1WlITl1 r'Sl ."1"111 t -:"1b.,.° 4441G-144, WLF4.A : F--ABt Guidelines 1. Original wood windows shall be maintained and repaired whenever possible rather than replaced. DSD staff shall inspect existing windows sought for replacement to determine if they are original and to what degree deterioration would make their repair prohibitive, which must be validated by the HPC.. Where original wood windows are allowed to be replaced, the replacement windows shall match the historic window style closely (as described above in the Introduction). 1 If non -original windows are sought to be replaced, the replacement windows shall match the prior historic windows style. lea, „fid y in � lnt ti Original window opening sizes shall be maintained. The closing down of an original opening to accommodate a smaller window is inappropriate. The return of previously altered windows to their original configuration is encouraged. The addition of, or replacement of, non-conformimng must be approved by the HPC. Tn R NOTE: rA�lllll-l-t.'i� 1�..:�1:�:w°q�lal�t-��'.:a�l�"�'l�l*t.i��':� l�" lel l-1 l-l�lt,.r�i�;-1••1l:µ 4,44141"L 'R-VV14.A-lµ=-1 1. , 11:. ,2 4. Vinyl windows are 5tf+,Wfg"iw10ureged prohibited on all historic structures, unless approved the HPC, which will only be approved under extreme circumstances and must bememorialized by a specific written finding. �ir�s l vota r i Design Guidelines for Windows 5. Wood windows are the preferred material in all historic structures. Wood windows given proper treatment with a penetrating epoxy and a quality primer (if painting is desired) will provide many years of use. 6. Windows should not have shutters unless there is physical or pictorial evidence they originally existed on the building. 7. Replacement windows which have flush or snap -in muntins arerca� Iiib tecq. True divided lite or simulated divided lite (SDL) windows are encouraged required. SDL windows have permanent exterior and interior muntins and an integral spacer bar. The addition of new window openings on principal facades of historic residences is prohibited. The addition of new window openings on principal facades of non-residential historic structures may be permitted as part of an approved rehabilitation project so long s...the new open�n �sg� dc� ��at pcnetratc .historic rnuraI and are approved by the HPC. 9. The use of weather stripping and proper fitting storm windows is strongly encouraged. Sour( _.s-rcyide a°list of window rely it sources,. window economics wIOLI9 include a....sketch of the `�anatc�M" of aw wood double hung windt�wctc. (Is this being done and by whom?) Design Guidelines for Windows RT City of Port Townsend'` Design Guidelines for Solar installations On Historic Structures Purpose WA These Design Guidelines are established for the following purposes: 1. To supplement land use regulations which encourage and promote public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Port Townsend. 2. To provide guidance to ur-ban for design decisions that will promote development of high environmental and visual quality and historical character throughout the City. 3. To assist applicants in the preparation of development applications. 4. To provide for administrative review by the Development Services Department (DSD) of routine " -ow solar device permit applications that satisfy guidelines adopted by the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) and the City Council. Introduction Across the nation, there is a rapidly growing trend toward retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient. These efforts have seen solar panels and other solar devices, such as radiant water heaters, becoming increasingly popular as the use of alternative energy sources become more readily available to the general public. When planning the installation of solar panels, the overall objective is to preserve character - defining features and historic fabric while accommodating the need for solar access to the greatest extent possible. All solar panel installations must be considered on a case by case basis recognizing that the best option will depend on the characteristics of the property under consideration. For purposes of these guidelines, the term "solar devices" shall include solar panels, solar water heaters, photovoltaic shingles, and any other installation that uses solar energy for mechanical or electrical purposes. Review Process 1. All solar device installations on historic residences designated as Secondary contributing structures shall be reviewed administratively by DSD staff with a decision made by the DSD Director. 2. Except where the guidelines below provide for administrative review, solar device installations on all other structures subject to PTMC 17.30 (i.e. Pivotal and Primary residences; all other commercial, public, religious and maritime trade buildings within the historic overlay district; other structures determined by DSD to be historic that lie outside the historic overlay district) shall be subject to Type I -A review and recommendation by the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) with a final decision made by the DSD Director in a formal Certificate of Review. Design Guidelines for Solar Installations Guidelines 1. Installation of a solar device on a historic building is permitted only after other locations on the subject property, such as an accessory outbuilding (whether historic or non - historic), have been investigated and determined infeasible. 2. Where possible, solar devices shall be installed in a compatible location on the site or on a non -historic building or addition where it will have minimal impact on the historic building and its site. 3. Solar device(v) shall be installed on a historic building so that it is not visible or only minimally visible from the public right of way. For example, on a flat roof set solar panels back to 'take advantage of a parapet or other roof feature to screen solar panels from view; or on a secondary slope of a roof, out of view from the adjoining public rights-of-way. 4. On pitched roofs, solar roof devices shall be installed from flat or parallel to the roof to reduce visibility. Solar device installations on the flat roofs of brick commercial buildings within the historic overlay district shall be reviewed administratively by the DSD Director. In these cases, solar devices may be installed at no more that 40° so long as the applicant demonstrates that doing so will not cause the installation to be visible from the adjoining rights-of-way. 6. Freestanding or detached on-site solar devices shall be installed in locations that minimize visibility from the public right of way. and from neighboring properties. These systems shall be screened from the public right of way with materials elsewhere in the district such as fencing or vegetation of suitable scale for the district and setting. Placement and design shall not detract from the historic character of the site or destroy hi materials. � �a historic landscape it aitht "0W aeees-S 7. Solar device frame work and mounting systems shall be of a non -reflective color, such as an anodized finish, that is compatible in color to established roof materials. Mechanical equipment associated with the solar device system shall be treated as unobtrusive as possible. 8. Trees in city right-of-way shall be preserved consistent with City code and not be topped or removed to improve solar access to a property. Design Guidelines for Solar Installations