HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. Awnings Design Guidelines
Development Services Department
250 Madison, Suite 3
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-5095 Fax 360-344-4619
HISTORIC DESIGN GUIDELINES
for
AWNINGS
PURPOSE
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 assist decision-making by the Historic Preservation Committee in the review of development applications.
INTRODUCTION
The design guidelines for awnings in the commercial areas of the Port Townsend Historic Overlay District are intended to be used as an aid to appropriate design and not as a checklist
for compliance. The purpose of the guidelines is to create awareness of the unique character of the District during the design of awnings. These guidelines identify the design elements
deemed important in reviewing awnings for appropriateness and are the basis for decisions made by the Historic Preservation Committee.
GUIDELINES
Awnings are fabric surfaces set over metal frames attached to building walls designed to provide solar and weather protection of windows, stairs, entries, etc. Awnings shall reinforce
and harmonize with the architectural scale and character of the building they serve and also with adjacent structures.
1. Awnings shall serve a functional purpose, such as covering and protecting windows, doorways, stairs, entrances, and other architectural elements from the influences of weather.
2. Awnings are encouraged to be installed on historic buildings where they existed before 1943.
3. Shapes: only simple triangular shape awnings with valances are permitted. Pyramid, hip, vault, half-vault, dome, or other awning shapes are not permitted.
a) Awnings shall have valances (vertical face) of at least eight inches (8"), and no greater than 1'- 4".
b) Valances (vertical faces) are required to hang free from the structural frame and to have a loose appearance, as opposed to being taut or rigid. Scalloped bottom edges are encouraged.
c) Retractable awnings are encouraged.
d) End panels (vertical panels that form a closure to the building face) are not encouraged.
4. Height: Awnings shall be mounted a minimum of nine feet (9') clear above the sidewalk or paving surface.
5. Width: Awnings shall be designed to reinforce the pedestrian scale of the building and space they serve. The minimum horizontal projection (width) shall be three feet (3').
6. Materials: Canvas-like fabric shall be required. Shiny, high gloss materials shall not be permitted. Solid colors or simple stripe patterns are permitted. The awning colors shall
be similar and compatible with the approved Historic Preservation Committee Color Palette. The underside of awnings shall be the same color as the exterior exposed face.
7. Awning frames shall be painted to match the Historic Preservation Committee color palette or as approved by the Historic Preservation Committee.
8. Awnings shall not cover distinctive architectural features such as columns, trim, moldings, cornices, etc. The awning installation shall not damage the building.
Awnings shall be installed below the second floor line. Awnings at balconies and decks on or above the second floor may be permitted provided they meet the requirements of these guidelines.
Long horizontal runs of awnings shall be broken into components that reflect the building modules and architectural features.
Awnings may run continuously around a corner provided that the awning does not dominate the buildings scale or interrupt its architectural features.
Signage shall be permitted only on the valances (vertical faces) of the awning. Signage shall conform with the Historic Preservation Committee Guidelines for signs and the City of Port
Townsend Sign Code.
Adopted by Ordinance 2871 November 29, 2004
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