Coventry Historic District Commission Standards & Guidelines for Historic Properties Adopted by the Coventry Historic District Commission: December 14, 2017 Approved by the Coventry Town Council: _________ 2018 Coventry Historic District Commission 1670 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI 02816 Tel: (401) 822-9184 This publication was financed by a Certified Local Government grant administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission. The Certified Local Government program receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The contents and opinions contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127. The Coventry Standards & Guidelines for Historic Properties was, with permission, based on Standards and Guidelines for the Armory, Broadway, College Hill, Northern Elmwood, Southern Elmwood and Stimson Avenue Historic Districts, a publication of the Providence Historic District Commission and the Coventry Standards and Guidelines for Historic Properties of the Coventry Historic District Commission. Certain Illustrations and Text are adopted from: Historic & Architectural Resources of Coventry, Rhode Island: A Preliminary Report, R.I. Historical Preservation Commission, Legendary Locals of Coventry, Andrew D. Boisvert, and Coventry Celebration A Pictorial History, Donald A. D’Amato. i TABLE OF CONTENTS I. LEGAL AUTHORITY ............................................................................................................ 1 II. APPLICATION ....................................................................................................................... 1 III. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 IV. COVENTRY’s HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE ......................................................................... 2 V. THE REVIEW PROCESS ....................................................................................................... 3 A. No Review Required ............................................................................................................. 3 B. Staff Review .......................................................................................................................... 4 C. Full Public Hearing ............................................................................................................... 4 VI. GENERAL STANDARDS ...................................................................................................... 5 A. Local Standards ..................................................................................................................... 5 B. Federal Standards (36 C.F.R. §67) ........................................................................................ 6 VII. TAX & LOAN INCENTATIVES ........................................................................................... 7 VIII. ARCHITECTURAL STYLES & PERIODS ........................................................................... 8 A. Georgian Colonial (1700-1800) ........................................................................................... 9 B. Saltbox (1640-1750) ........................................................................................................... 10 C. Greek Revival (1820 – 1850) ............................................................................................. 10 D. Queen Anne ......................................................................................................................... 11 E. Federal ................................................................................................................................. 11 F. Other Common Styles Found in Coventry .............................................................................. 12 IX. GUIDELINES FOR REPAIR, REPLACEMENT & RESTORATION ................................ 14 A. Definitions ........................................................................................................................... 14 B. Exteriors .............................................................................................................................. 14 1. Common Exterior Features .............................................................................................. 15 2. Prohibited Exterior Materials .......................................................................................... 15 3. Exterior Wood ................................................................................................................. 16 4. Exterior Masonry ............................................................................................................. 16 5. Exterior Cleaning & Maintenance ................................................................................... 16 6. Paint Removal & Lead Paint ........................................................................................... 17 C. Doors ................................................................................................................................... 17 D. Roofing & Gutter Systems .................................................................................................. 19 E. Porches & Steps .................................................................................................................. 20 F. Windows ................................................................................................................................. 22 1. Storm/Screen Windows & Doors .................................................................................... 24 ii 2. Materials .......................................................................................................................... 24 3. Colors............................................................................................................................... 24 4. Design .............................................................................................................................. 24 5. Dimensions & Configuration........................................................................................... 24 X. APPLICATION FOR REPAIR, REPLACEMENT & RESTORATION ............................. 26 A. Minor Alterations ................................................................................................................ 26 1. Awnings ........................................................................................................................... 26 2. Fences & Gates ................................................................................................................ 29 3. Shutters & Blinds............................................................................................................. 31 4. Signs ................................................................................................................................ 32 5. Site Improvements ........................................................................................................... 35 6. Historic Stone Walls ........................................................................................................ 36 B. Major Alterations ................................................................................................................ 37 1. Architectural Features ...................................................................................................... 37 2. Exterior Materials & Designs .......................................................................................... 38 3. Ornamental Elements ...................................................................................................... 38 4. Penetrations ..................................................................................................................... 38 5. Porches, Stairs & Entryways ........................................................................................... 38 6. Grade Levels & Foundations ........................................................................................... 40 7. Roof Forms & Elements .................................................................................................. 40 8. Regulatory Code Compliance .......................................................................................... 40 9. Storefronts ....................................................................................................................... 40 XI. BARRIER–FREE ACCESS .................................................................................................. 42 A. Exceptions for Historic Properties ...................................................................................... 42 B. Guidelines for Barrier-Free Access ..................................................................................... 43 1. Wheelchair Ramps ..........................................................................................................