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PROPOSED EASTSIDE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MUNICIPAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
DESIGN GUIDELINES
The attached design guidelines have been written to provide guidance to property owners when planning any exterior changes to their property.
The guidelines are based upon the "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Properties," the treatment procedures that must be used when planning a project that will affect the historic character of the district.
The guidelines are broken down into three categories to assist property owners in understanding will needed in order to receive a building permit for their proposed project.
The categories are:
Recommended
Projects that propose recommended treatments will result in the Historic Preservation Commissions approval of a building permit.
Not Recommended
Projects that propose one or more not recommended treatments will be evaluated for their overall impact on the character of the property and the Historic District as a whole. The evaluation will result in the Historic Preservation Commission's approval of a building permit, approval of a building permit if certain conditions are met, or denial of a building permit
Not Permitted or Not Approved
Projects that propose one or more not permitted or approved treatments will result in the Historic Preservation Commissions denial of a building permit
DESIGN GUIDELINES
EASTSIDE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MUNICIPAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
EXTERIOR WALLS
One of the most defining elements of an historic building are the exterior wall surfaces. Retaining, protecting and repairing historic wall surfaces are particularly important when undertaking a rehabilitation project.
Masonry
Brick, stone, terra cotta, concrete and stucco are all types of exterior masonry materials. While masonry is among the most durable of historic materials, it is also prone to damage by improper maintenance or repair techniques (mortar that is harder than the masonry can cause the masonry to crack) and harsh or abrasive cleaning methods.
RECOMMENDED:
Exercising great care when cleaning, repairing and repointing exterior masonry surfaces. It is important to provide proper drainage so that water does not accumulate in curved decorative features
Repointing Masonry Joints:
Mortar for repointing must be consistent with the content of the original mortar (i.e., ratio of lime/Portland cement/sand) If not sure of the original mortar consistency a mixture of 4 parts lime to 1 part Portland cement may be used).
When repointing, the width and profile of mortar joints should be duplicated, Masonry surfaces, which are too deteriorated to be save, should be replaced with the same type of material.
Cleaning Masonry:
If cleaning is necessary, masonry surfaces should be cleaned using the gentlest method possible.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Using a substitute material
A substitute material may be considered only if the same, type of material is not technically or economically feasible. If a substitute material is used it should match the original in texture and color.
Wood
Clapboard, decorative, beveled, lap, cove, and wood shingles are all varying types of wooden siding. Wooden features such as cornices, bracketing, entablatures, columns, shutters, and balustrades are architectural features that play important functional and decorative roles in defining and retaining the historic character of a building.
RECOMMENDED
The retention, protection and repair of wood trim and original wood siding.
NOT RECOMMENDED
The use of Aluminum or Vinyl Siding.
For historic buildings, aluminum or vinyl siding is vigorously discouraged. When warm moist air passes through the interior walls and hits cold exterior walls it condenses into water. Applying synthetic siding on such a situation can trap moisture, creating an ideal habitat for wood destroying insects, and causing the historic material underneath to decay. Aluminum will corrode and dent. Vinyl can melt and crack and, like all plastic, it expands and contracts. If nailed tightly to hold through winter it may expand in distorted, wavy shapes when heated in the summer sun. Fading is also a problem and in time artificial siding will require painting.
NOT PERMITTED
Siding over existing windows or any existing architectural elements. The use of materials on the walls of a building that do not resemble the historic building materials in design, texture, or color. This would include, but not be limited to, artificial stone (Permastone) brick face, or asphalt shingles.
EXTERIOR PAINTING AND COLOR
Repainting a building does not require Historic Preservation Commission approval. The Commission, however, can provide general information on historic paint colors and sources of assistance for choosing colors.
RECOMMENDED
The use of colors popular at the time the building was originally constructed.
WINDOWS
Most dwellings constructed between 1880 and 1930 were built with double-hung sash; multi-light; wooden windows. After 1930, single-pane and large picture windows became more popular. Dwellings constructed in Paterson generally conform to one of these standards.
Tudor and Craftsman-style houses often feature decorative multi-light casement windows with diamond-shaped glazing. Projecting bay windows, known as oriels, are also common elements in Tudor, Craftsman, and Gothic Revival style dwellings.
It is not unusual for attic windows to be a fixed or casement style rather than a double hung sash variety. After 1925, modern architectural styles such as Art Deco, International, Ranch and Split-Level were constructed with many different varieties of windows. No longer were specific window types synonymous with certain architectural styles. Large fixed windows, glass block, single light, and one-over-one sash windows are a few of the many varieties used during this time period.
RECOMMENDED
When the restoration .or rehabilitation of a building is undertaken, first determine the dominant architectural style of the building. If it contains its original windows, the restoration of the existing windows is recommended first, then the use of a similar style window is recommended. If the windows requiring rehabilitation are not original, research will indicate the type of window most appropriate for the given architectural style.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Aluminum or vinyl windows are not recommended, however, when the total replacement of windows is necessary, aluminum and vinyl windows can provide an alternative to wooden windows, often at a lower cost. These windows are now produced in styles that replicate historic, multi-light, double-hung sash, wooden windows. It is important that the replacement windows accurately duplicate the style and number of lights that would be appropriate for the architectural style of the dwelling.
NOT PERMITTED
The infilling of window openings. Window openings should never be filled in, bricked over or reduced from their original size.
SHUTTERS
RECOMMENDED
Retention of original wood shutters.
Original wood shutters should be maintained and repaired as needed.
If replacement is necessary, wood shutters are preferred.
Replacement shutters should be properly sized to fit the window opening and should be hung with hinges and hardware similar to the original.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Shutters made from aluminum or vinyl.
NOT PERMITTED
Shutters that do not give the impression that they would cover the window when closed.
DOORS
If the present doors require rehabilitation or are not original, research will indicate the type of door most appropriate for the given architectural style. With the exception of some contemporary buildings, paneled doors were used in every period of Paterson's architectural history.
RECOMMENDED
The size, shape and location of door openings should be retained. The original features of the door itself should be retained, as should the related features such as fanlights, sidelights, pilasters, applied decorative moldings and hardware.
If the condition of the door is such that it cannot be repaired and retained it should be replaced with a door that duplicates the original.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Metal, fiberglass, or other composite doors.
NOT PERMITTED
The filling in, bricking over, or altering the size of the original door opening.
The removal or altering of features associated with the door such as fanlights, sidelights, pilasters, or other applied architectural decoration.
The use of flush doors, unless this style of door was original to the building.
STORM WINDOWS AND DOORS
RECOMMENDED
Placing the storm sash within the window frame. Storm or screen doors should be simple in design with a good amount of open area for maximum visibility to the main door.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Storm doors with decorative features from a different period or architectural style than the style of the building.
ROOFS
The roof is one of the most important structural features of a- home, and usually defines the style and architectural character of a building, often adding color and texture to sloping roof planes. Slate, tile and asphalt shingles are the most common roofing materials found on homes in Paterson. Regardless of material, age and weather eventually take their toll, and most roofs eventually need repair or replacement.
As the most significant architectural features, the first choice when repairing or replacing the roof on a historic home is to use the same or similar materials. Since age and weather affect the color of most roofing materials, repairing or patching an older roof often involves matching the color of new and older materials. Color is an important consideration, particularly for those roof surfaces that are visible from the public right-of-way.
In instances where a homeowner has little choice but to use substitute materials, and the roof is readily visible from the public right-of-way, the substitute material should match as closely as possible the scale, texture and color of the original material.
SLATE
Colonial Revival and Tudor residences built in the 201t century are the most likely to have been constructed with, slate roofs. Slate roofs are very durable and often last, at the minimum, 40 to 100 years, which means that most original slate roofs in Paterson are in need of inspection and either repair or replacement.
RECOMMENDED
Replacement of damaged slates as needed. Portions of a slate roof can be replaced without damaging the rest of the roof. In these cases, it is necessary to match the new slates with the existing slate shingles.
ACCEPTABLE
Replacement with a substitute material, when the substitute material matches the original in scale, texture, and coloration.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Replacement with asphalt shingles. If this is the only viable alternative use a shingle style and color that replicates as closely as possible the appearance of the original slate roof.
Clay Tile
Clay tile roofs came into fashion at the beginning of the 20th "century. Romanesque Revival, Mission, Spanish, Mediterranean, Georgian and Renaissance Revival residences may have been constructed with clay tile roofs. Clay tile roofs are one of the most distinctive, decorative and durable roofing materials; lasting for over 100 years with proper maintenance. Clay tile roofs should be inspected approximately every five years.
The most popular types of clay tiles are pantiles and flat tiles. Within Paterson, most tile roofs are of the pantile variety. There are two types of pantiles: "S" or Spanish tiles which are interlocking; and Straight Mission or Barrel Mission tiles, which are overlapping.
RECOMMENDED
Since clay tile roofs are such a defining architectural
characteristic, clay tile roofs should be replaced with clay tiles or a similar substitute material that matches the exact color and style of the original tile. This will help to ensure the preservation of the architectural integrity of the building.
Asphalt Shingle
Today, most roofs are covered with asphalt shingles. They are cost-efficient and generally last up to 15 years. Asphalt shingles come in different colors, textures, and sizes, and are sometimes laid in patterns across a roof's slope.
RECOMMENDED
When replacing the roof of an older home, retain or replicate any roof design or pattern that was original to the dwelling.
Considering the wide variety available today, care should be taken to select a shingle style and color that complement the historic character and color of the house.
ROOF ADDITIONS
DORMERS
Dormers provide space, light and ventilation to the attic, thus making them a functional part of the building. Dormers may be present in buildings constructed in the Colonial Revival, Tudor, Shingle, Victorian, Queen Ann or Second Empire style. Many dwellings throughout Paterson have gable, arched, hipped, shed and eyebrow dormers.
RECOMMENDED
New roof additions such as dormers, if not part of the original fabric of the house, should not damage or obscure the historic character of the roof (refer to section on new construction/additions).
SKYLIGHTS
RECOMMENDED
Skylights and solar panels may be acceptable on rear facing roof surfaces or surfaces not visible from the public right-of-way.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Placement of skylights on areas of the building visible from the public right-of-way. These modern features should not be placed where they would detract from the historic appearance or character of the building.
NOT PERMITED
Skylights visible from the public right of way.
PORCHES
Porches are a character-defining feature of many of the buildings in the Eastside Park Neighborhood.
RECOMMENDED
Columns, railings and applied architectural decoration should be maintained rather than replaced. If replacement is necessary due to extreme deterioration or missing components the original members should be replaced in kind or with substitute materials that match the original in size, shape, texture and coloration.
NOT RECOMMENDED BUT ACCEPTABLE
The use of screen, glass, or a glass substitute either behind or between the original porch columns to enclose a porch. The added materials needed for installation must be as inconspicuous as possible and able to be removed at a later date without harming the original historic building materials or altering them in any way.
NOT PERMITTED
Enclosing or altering porches visible from the public right-of-way in any manner that would obscure or detract from the original architectural detailing of the building.
FENCES AND WALLS
RECOMMENDED
Historic fences and walls should be retained and repaired rather than replaced. When a fence or wall must be replaced, similar materials should be chosen that match the size, shape, texture, and color of the original fence or wall.
NOT RECOMMENDED
New fence or wall construction, in areas where no fence or wall existed historically, should be compatible with the historic style of the building and mesh with the design and landscape of the dwelling and street. Chain-link or plastic fencing.
NOT PERMITTED
Chain-link or plastic fencing that is visible from the public right-of-way
NEW CONSTRUCTION/ADDITIONS
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Any new construction which takes place within a historic district must be compatible with the existing structure in terms of height, mass and setback. In a residential district, it is important for new construction to conform to the character, style and "feeling" of the existing residential neighborhood.
ADDITIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS
While new construction must "fit" with the surrounding buildings, it is of the utmost importance that additions to existing buildings within an historic district mesh with the appearance of the original building on which it is being added. However, any new addition to an historic building must be constructed in a way that differentiates it from the historic building.
When planning a new exterior addition to an historic resource, the following questions must be asked:
- Does the proposed addition preserve significant historic material and features?
- Does the proposed addition preserve the historic character?
- Does the proposed addition protect the historical significance by making a visual distinction between old an new?
(Refer to Preservation Brief 14, New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings: Preservation Concerns, by Kay D. Weeks)
DEMOLITION
One of the most widespread problems in the City of Paterson is demolition by neglect. Vandalism, fires and the deterioration of structural materials due to exposure to the weather have negatively impacted the architectural integrity of the building stock within many of Paterson's neighborhoods. It is important that buildings already in a state of disrepair be closely monitored for continued deterioration. It is also essential that stable neighborhoods be monitored for evidence of decline of disrepair. The use of citizen task force and enforcement of zoning codes would be complementing elements in maintaining the character of historic communities.
WALKWAYS/SIDEWALKS AND CURBING
RECOMMENDED
Walkways of bluestone, slate, or other historic materials should be retained and repaired. Sections damaged beyond repair should be replaced in kind.
When replacing concrete walkways with concrete, match the texture and color.
NOT RECOMMENDED
If Sections of historic walkway material are damaged beyond repair, replace damaged sections with concrete that is tinted to match the original material that is being retained.
NOT PERMITTED
White concrete is not acceptable for repairs or new installation.
CURBING
RECOMMENDED
Granite or other historic materials used for curbing should be retained and repaired. Sections damaged beyond repair should be replaced in kind.
NOT RECOMMENDED BUT ACCEPTABLE
If sections of curbing are damaged beyond repair, replace with concrete that is tinted to match historic material.
NOT PERMITTED
White concrete for repairs or new installation.
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EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
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