Jeffersonville Historic District Design Guidelines
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Jeffersonville Historic District Design Guidelines Table of Contents Introduction Jeffersonville Historic District Map Working with the Jeffersonville Historic Preservation Commission Historic and Architectural Overview of the Jeffersonville Historic District The Approach: Design Options and Levels of Preservation for Existing Buildings Architectural Styles Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings A-Z Awnings and Canopies Cornices and Friezes Doors Foundations Garages and Other Outbuildings Masonry Metals Paint Porches and Balconies Roofing and Gutters Siding and Trim Signs Storefronts Windows Environmental Elements A-Z Fences Landscaping Lighting and Public Utilities Parking Areas Sidewalks, Steps, Driveways and Curbs Walls Other Environmental Elements New Construction and Additions Demolition and Moving Properties in the Historic District Jeffersonville Historic District Design Guidelines Table of Contents Introduction elcome to Jeffersonville, Indiana. occurring in a community, but help in Founded in 1802, it is one of the managing and directing proposed changes in W oldest permanent settlements in the the historic district. By directing change, the state. As a key junction of river, railroad and guidelines will help to preserve the visual road transit, our community grew to be a quality of Jeffersonville’s historic commercial leader in the shipbuilding industry and now and residential areas. These historic areas are possesses an exceptional collection of 19th and important to the special image of the city 20th century architecture. The Historic because they are unique to Jeffersonville and Preservation Commission is working to are the heart of our community. By preserve our unique historic areas for future encouraging good design within these areas, generations, protecting our important past the sense of relatedness between buildings while building for our future. and spaces, and the identity, charm and uniqueness of the historic district will be The Jeffersonville Historic Preservation preserved. Commission has developed these design guidelines for the property owners and By preserving our historic areas, we can: tenants within the Jeffersonville Historic District. The guidelines presented are 1. Instill a sense of pride that stimulates and standards to assist those who are protects investment. contemplating restoration and rehabilitation projects, and to provide guidance to the 2. Educate our children about the heritage Preservation Commission when evaluating reflected in our historic architecture. these proposed changes. The changes are reviewed on a case by case basis, because 3. Reap the benefits that come from visitors, every building has its own identity and distinct shoppers, merchants and home buyers character, and each individual project faces attracted to our historic business and many different constraints and limitations. residential districts. With design guidelines in place, interested parties are assured fairness, consistency and equality in Commission decisions. The These guidelines were carefully developed guidelines do not stipulate specific solutions after analyzing the historic district for its or designs, thereby allowing flexibility in your architectural elements and reviewing rehabilitation projects. possibilities of proposed changes. The guidelines are listed in alphabetical order by Because historic buildings were constructed building element. Each guideline includes a with different designs and materials than what description, followed by guidelines addressing is used today, our older buildings need to be that element. Because our town is a living treated with extra sensitivity. The guidelines community and constantly evolving, from will help us to preserve the quality of time to time we will go back and revisit and materials, design, construction and revise these standards. Many of the guidelines craftsmanship found in our historic district. found here represent updates of the original An important idea to remember is that the design guidelines, which were first developed guidelines do not prevent change from in the mid-1990s. Jeffersonville Historic District Design Guidelines Introduction Jeffersonville Historic District Map This map is intended to provide a general overview of the historic district boundaries. A complete list of the properties included within the historic district is included at the rear of this book. Acknowledgments These guidelines were originally produced - and subsequently updated - by a dedicated group of individuals who have volunteered their time and talent for the betterment of Jeffersonville’s historic district. Thanks to all for their assistance. Jeffersonville Historic Preservation Commission, 2013: Jan Paddocks, Chair Jill Schimpff, Vice-Chair David Boome Lisa Green Miguel Hampton Josh Thompson Melanie Kircher Yates Alice Davis, Secretary Russ Segraves, Building Commissioner Laura Renwick, Administrator Former HPC members Peggy Duffy and Steve Stenbro also contributed toward the revisions, as well as Jeffersonville Main Street Director Jay Ellis. Jeffersonville Historic District Design Guidelines Historic District Map Working with the Jeffersonville Historic Preservation Commission he Jeffersonville Historic are visible from the public right-of-way Preservation Commission – (street, alley, sidewalk) are reviewed by the T initially known as the Historic Historic Preservation Commission and must District Board of Review – was created in receive a Certificate of Appropriateness 1984 by ordinance 84-OR-34. The ordinance (COA) before work begins. Some minor work was enacted by the City Council as part of the items may be able to receive expedited review comprehensive plan for revitalizing the city. and approval through the Commission’s staff Ordinance 97-OR-20 in 1997 updated the - a chart outlining those items is included as initial law to reflect changes in the state Appendix A at the conclusion of the design enabling legislation, and provides the current guidelines. A COA, awarded by the framework under which the Preservation Commission or its staff, allows the applicant Commission operates. to proceed with the proposed alteration, demolition or new construction within the The Commission consists of seven voting historic district. A COA is not required for members, appointed by the Mayor and any routine maintenance that does not change approved by the City the present appearance of Council. All members are the property, for painting, or residents of Jeffersonville, The goal is to insure the for interior work. and each must have a enhancement of the visual demonstrated interest in qualities of the historic Here is how the review historic preservation. district that are important process works: Advisory members may also Step One: Determine if to the community. be appointed by the Mayor, your project requires review. but do not act as voting Consult the staff approval members. chart in Appendix A, at the conclusion of the design guidelines. Any Our entire community benefits from the questions about whether your project requires preservation and revitalization of review should be referred to the Building Jeffersonville’s historic residential and Commissioner’s office, at 812/285-6415. commercial areas. For this reason, the Historic Preservation Commission is here to Step Two: If your project requires review, assist owners who are contemplating refer to the relevant guidelines on the pages alterations, demolitions or new construction. that follow. The guidelines will help you to The goal is to insure the enhancement of the determine if the work you are considering is visual qualities of the historic district that are compatible with the rest of the historic important to the community. district. They are also the basis on which the Jeffersonville Historic Preservation Although property owners within the historic Commission will make its decision. Although district are not obliged to restore their not mandatory, it is strongly recommended buildings, a review process will take place if that the Commission staff is consulted on the owner proposes to do some types of your proposed project. This free pre- work. In general, any proposed changes that application design consultation will help Jeffersonville Historic District Design Guidelines Working with the HPC streamline the approval process by working Signage out any potential conflicts between your Sign proof showing design, text, size, project and the guidelines before the meeting. materials, color, and method of attachment (if applicable) Step Three: Contact the Building Photograph(s) showing proposed location Commissioner’s office for a Certificate of of sign Appropriateness (COA) application, or visit Parking the city’s website (www.cityofjeff.net) to Site plan showing location of parking download the form. A COA is an approval spaces in relation to surrounding structures, awarded to applicants to allow them to number and dimension of spaces and proceed with a proposed alteration, circulation patterns demolition or new construction within the Landscape and lighting plan historic district. The application asks for the Descriptions, photographs or samples of address and ownership of the property where bike racks, benches, trash cans or other the work will be done, as well as a description special features, if included with the parking of the proposed work. A thorough description Special features should be provided, and any information that Description or photograph of special will assist the Commission in understanding