Title
Historic District Design Guidelines
Body
Item Summary:
This item is up for discussion by the Historic Preservation Commission
Staff Report:
The City of Roswell has a rich history that is embodied in its historic architecture. The City has long recognized the importance of protecting the cultural resources located within its historic area and established a Historic District in 1971. The District was expanded in 1992 and the current Design Guidelines were adopted in 1997. The Zoning Ordinance charges the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) with overseeing preservation activities in the District. The Ordinance gives the HPC the authority to prepare or authorize the preparation of design guidelines for its jurisdiction, to be approved by the Mayor and City Council.
The current design guidelines possess a good framework and have served the Historic Preservation Commission well but an update is needed to provide for a document which explains, expands, and interprets design criteria applicable to current development in the Historic District. The current guidelines do not address the scale of projects proposed under the Historic Properties Overlay Mixed-Use such as the mixed use projects proposed at the corner of Atlanta and Mill Streets and Atlanta and Maple streets. They do not address current trends in the District such as the use of hardi-plank siding and additions in the alleys behind the historic Canton Street commercial area. An updated set of guidelines could provide user friendly language and tips, better images and graphics, and would be updated to reflect the current Zoning Ordinance. Revised guidelines will provide the HPC, residents, business owners and developers with an understandable document to aid in their planning and decision making processes.
Richard Laub, Director of the Masters of Heritage Preservation Program at Georgia State University, has offered to prepare an updated set of design guidelines as a student exercise in his Preser...
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