TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Transmittal of Updated Design Guidelines for Chapel Hill Historic Districts
DATE: May 13, 2002
Attached please find a proposed document “Design Guidelines for Chapel Hill Historic Districts” submitted for your review. We will return on June 10 with a recommendation for Council action.
BACKGROUND
The Town Council accepted a grant of $8,000 from the State Historic Preservation Office on April 24, 2000 to begin working on the development of updated design guidelines for the Chapel Hill historic districts. The Town contributed $6,000 towards the project. A Consultant was hired to prepare the Guidelines Handbook with input and assistance from the community, staff, and the Historic District Commission. The process included two public forums, one at the beginning of the update and a second one at the completion of the draft.
PURPOSE OF THE UPDATE
The proposed Historic District Guidelines Handbook describes the existing patterns of sites and structures in the districts, followed by guidelines for changes. The Guidelines set the standards for property owners and for the Commission on what is congruous with the character of the districts. These revised guidelines will be used to guide the Historic District Commission in issuing Certificates of Appropriateness.
The present Guidelines Handbook was written in 1979. Over the years it has become out of date. Two new districts have been added and several Development Ordinance amendments have been adopted. New issues have arisen, such as the desire for privacy walls and the need for more lighting. New technologies have presented questions about formerly unknown products, such as Hardiplank siding. Different procedures have been adopted by the Commission in considering applications, such as implementation of a Courtesy Review. For these reasons, an update was necessary.
For the Historic District Commission and staff, the proposed guidelines offers a basis for evaluating proposed changes and issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness. For property owners, residents, and others, the guidelines provide guidance in planning projects. The proposed design guidelines provide a basis in determining congruity and consistency.
While the revisions do not alter the original focus of the existing guidelines, this new document does update them to concerns of today. The process of obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness and distinctions between minor and major work remain unchanged. The new version incorporates much more information on various topics. For example, the existing guidelines offered the following strategy for fenestrations:
The new guidelines (page 40) have much more description for fenestrations, including:
The revised guidelines offer a more readable format with illustrations. Individual topics are covered in a two-page layout with background information and planning considerations on the left and specific guidelines listed on the right. Photographs are used to help illustrate the text.
On April 11, 2002 the Historic District Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that the Council approve the Design Guidelines for the Chapel Hill Historic Districts.
The document, in its final form, will include a suggested planting list. This list is currently under review by Town staff. The planting list will be available on June 10, 2002.
NEXT STEPS
We will return on June 10 with a recommendation for Council action to approve the new Guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Summary of Historic District Commission Action meeting (p. 3)
2. Design Guidelines for Chapel Hill Historic Districts (begin new p. 1)