Georgetown Waterfront Area Design Guidelines Georgetown Architectural Review Board Georgetown, South Carolina Georgetown WATERFRONT AREA DESIGN GUIDELINES Georgetown Architectural Review Board Georgetown, South Carolina The Jaeger Company July 2003 Georgetown Waterfront Area Design Guidelines Georgetown, South Carolina TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 Introduction to Design Guidelines and Design Review 1-1 Design Guidelines Sections 1-2 Purpose of Design Guidelines 1-3 – Design Guidelines Do 1-3 – Design Guidelines Do Not 1-3 Historic Preservation in Georgetown 1-4 Design Review Process 1-4 Design Review Process Flow Chart 1-6 Section 2 Historic Resources of the Waterfront Area 2-1 Map of Waterfront Area 2-1 2.1 Historical Sketch of Georgetown’s Waterfront Area 2-3 2.2 Architectural Style and Building Type - What’s the Difference? 2-5 2.3 High Style or Vernacular? 2-6 2.4 Waterfront Area Commercial Building Types 2-7 2.5 Waterfront Area Commercial Building Styles 2-8 2.6 Waterfront Area Industrial Building Types 2-10 Section 3 Historic Preservation Principles and Approaches 3-1 Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation 3-2 Preservation Methods 3-4 Eight Steps to a Complete Preservation Project 3-5 Section 4 Waterfront Commercial Design Guidelines 4-1 Front Street between Queen Street and Wood Street 4.1 Front Facades 4-10 – storefronts 4-12 – doors 4-12 – windows 4-13 – balconies 4-14 – awnings 4-15 – signs 4-16 – exterior lighting 4-17 4.2 Rear Facades 4-18 – entrances 4-18 – doors 4-19 – windows 4-19 – decks 4-20 – awnings 4-22 – signs 4-22 – exterior lighting 4-23 4.3 Exterior Materials 4-24 4.4 Architectural Details 4-25 4.5 Roofs 4-26 4.6 Mechanical Systems 4-27 4.7 Additions to Historic Commercial Buildings 4-28 4.8 Handicap Accessibility Issues 4-29 4.9 Fire Code and Hurricane Protection Issues 4-30 4.10 New Commercial Construction 4-32 4.11 Adaptive Reuse 4-34 Section 5 Waterfront Industrial Design Guidelines Waterfront between Wood Street and Meeting Street 5-1 5.1 Historic Industrial Buildings 5-6 – exterior facades 5-6 – windows 5-6 – roofs 5-8 – signs 5-9 – exterior lighting 5-10 – exterior materials 5-11 5.2 New Additions to Historic Industrial Buildings 5-13 5.3 New Construction 5-15 Section 6 Appendix 6-1 Georgetown Historic Preservation Ordinance 6-2 Georgetown Historic District Ordinance 6-6 Georgetown Historic Preservation Commission Rules of Procedure 6-7 Application for Certificate of Appropriateness 6-12 Sources for Maintenance and Resource Rehabilitation 6-16 Preservation Brief #8: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings 6-18 Glossary of Terms 6-34 Section 1: Introduction to Design Guidelines & Design Review SECTION Introduction to Design Guidelines and 1 Design Review Section Highlights •Design Guidelines Sections •Purpose of Design Guidelines •Historic Preservation in Georgetown •Design Review Process •Design Review Process Flowchart This manual provides Design Guidelines for rehabilitation and new construction projects within the Georgetown Historic District. It also provides an overview of the design review process. The following design guidelines have been written to aid the Georgetown Architectural Review Board in evaluating proposed material changes in appearance to properties located in the Georgetown Waterfront Area which is a part of the Georgetown Historic District. Property owners within the Waterfront Area will find the guidelines helpful in making decisions about proposed rehabilitation and new construction projects that are sensitive to the historic character of the district. The guidelines should be viewed as guiding principles that, when followed, will result in sound historic preservation practices and help maintain the unique “sense of place” enjoyed by residents of Georgetown. 1-1 Georgetown Waterfront Area Design Guidelines Design Guidelines Sections This Design Guidelines manual is divided into the following sections: Section 1: Introduction to Design Guidelines and Design Review provides information on design guidelines as well as the Georgetown design review process and the local historic preservation ordinance. Section 2: Historic Resources of the Waterfront Area provides a brief summary of the history of the community with emphasis on the Waterfront Area in the historic district. In addition this section provides a list of building types and architectural styles for both commercial and industrial buildings found in Georgetown’s Waterfront Area. Section 3: Historic Preservation Principles and Approaches provides explanation and insight into the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preservation methods, and an easy to follow outline to complete a preservation project. Section 4: Waterfront Area Commercial Design Guidelines provides specific guidelines for rehabilitation projects for commercial properties located on Front Street between Queen Street and Wood Street. Section 5: Waterfront Area Industrial Design Guidelines provides specific guidelines for rehabilitation projects for industrial properties located between Wood Street and Meeting Street on the Waterfront. Section 6: Appendix includes a copy of the Georgetown Preservation Ordinance, the Georgetown Historic District Ordinance, an explanation of the Architectural Review Board Rules of Procedure, an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, Preservation Brief #8: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings, a list of Sources for Maintenance and Resource Rehabilitation and a Glossary of Terms. 1-2 Section 1: Introduction to Design Guidelines & Design Review Purpose of Design Guidelines Design Guidelines are used to evaluate the appropriateness of changes to historic properties within a locally designated historic district. Design guidelines are a part of the tradition of balancing the welfare of the public and the rights of individual property owners. In Georgetown, the incorporation of historic preservation into zoning laws and building codes are tools used to maintain this balance. The following design guidelines do not prevent property owners from making changes to their properties. They are common sense guidelines that provide a framework for change that respects and compliments the character of historic districts and landmarks. The ultimate goal of the Georgetown Waterfront Area Design Guidelines is to protect the physical and visual qualities of a property or district that reflect the history and heritage of the community. Design Guidelines Do: ✔ apply to exterior material changes in appearance of designated properties ✔ protect the historic character and integrity of the district or landmark ✔ provide guidance to design professionals and historic property owners undertaking construction projects ✔ identify important review considerations and recommend appropriate design approaches ✔ provide an objective basis for review, assuring consistency and fairness ✔ increase public awareness of historic resources and their significant characteristics Design Guidelines Do Not: ✘ limit growth or development ✘ prohibit change to designated properties ✘ apply to routine maintenance or interior renovations ✘ dictate stylistic design approaches which are based on individual preference ✘ restrict creative design solutions 1-3 Georgetown Waterfront Area Design Guidelines Historic Preservation in Georgetown Enabling legislation for historic preservation is found in the Georgetown Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of creating a historic district was to, in part, “preserve and enhance the distinctive architectural and cultural heritage of the City of Georgetown.” A Board of Architectural Review was established that consists of seven members who demonstrate an interest, competence, or knowledge of historic preservation. Board members are appointed by the City Council and serve four year terms. Design Review is the process by which the Architectural Review Board (ARB) reviews proposed material changes in appearance for properties within the historic district and issues or denies Certificates of Appropriateness (COA). An approved COA allows the proposed changes to take place. Any property owner or occupant wishing to make a material change in appearance to any building, structure, or site within the Historic Buildings District must submit an application to the ARB for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Demolition, relocation, and new construction also require a Certificate of Appropriateness. For a summary of the design review process see the Flowchart at the end of Section 1. The Design Review Process Step 1. Determine Whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is Needed A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required before a building permit can be issued for any exterior material change in appearance to a property in the Georgetown Historic District. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for, but is not limited to, any of the following activities: 1. A reconstruction or alteration of the size, shape, or facade of a designated property, including the relocation of any doors or windows; or removal or alteration of any architectural features, details, or elements; 2. Demolition or relocation of a historic property; 3. Commencement of excavation for construction purposes; 4. The erection, alteration, restoration, or removal of any building or other structure within a historic property or district, including walls, fences, steps, parking areas, or other appurtenant features. 1-4 Section 1: Introduction to Design Guidelines & Design Review Certain