The Newport standards for treatment of historic properties
The Newport standards for treatment of historic properties are:
A. For Contributing Structures. The commission shall apply the following standard of review to contributing structures:
1. Retain Historic Character. Retain and preserve the historic character of a contributing structure. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a contributing structure should not be undertaken.
2. Avoid Conjecture. The buildings of Newport are a physical record of their time, place and use. Avoid changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding a conjectural feature or architectural elements from other buildings.
3. Maintain Significant Alterations. Retain and preserve changes to a contributing structure that have acquired historic significance in their own right.
4. Preserve Character, Defining Features and Workmanship. Preserve distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a contributing structure.
5. Repair before Replacement. The historic materials out of which contributing structures buildings are constructed are significant and once lost, they cannot be recovered. Every effort should be made to repair rather than replace deteriorated historic fabric and features. When the severity of deterioration requires replacement of features or fabric, the replacement should match the old in materials, dimensions, design, configuration, texture and visual appearance.
6. Avoid Damaging Treatments. Do not use chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials.
7. Minimize Harm from Alterations. Undertake exterior alterations, including new additions, in such a manner that minimizes harm to historic materials and that if removed will not change the essential form and integrity of a contributing structure. Make proposed additions or exterior alterations to a contributing structure compatible with the existing materials, features, size, visual relationships and massing to protect the integrity and scale of the original historic structure or site. Make new alterations or additions clearly discernible from the old. The differentiations may or may not be stylistic, and may be as subtle as a change in footprint or material.
B. For Noncontributing Structures and Existing Walls, Gates, Gateposts and Fences Made Subject to Review by Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter. The commission shall apply the following standard of review to noncontributing structures:
1. Compatibility. The alteration of a noncontributing structure or existing walls, gates, gateposts and fences made subject to review pursuant to Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter shall be generally of such size, scale, siting, massing, setback, materials, and detail as will be compatible with other structures in the surrounding historic district.
2. Preserving Character Defining Features. The commission may encourage but shall not require owners to preserve distinctive features, finishes, construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that are present in a noncontributing structure or existing walls, gates, gateposts and fences made subject to review pursuant to Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter which add to the character of the surrounding district.
C. For New Construction, Reconstruction and New Walls, Gates, Gateposts and Fences Made Subject to Review Pursuant to Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter. The commission shall apply the following standard of review to new construction or reconstruction:
1. Compatibility. New construction, reconstruction and new walls, gates, gateposts and fences made subject to review pursuant to Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter shall be compatible with the surrounding historic area in terms of size, scale, siting, massing, setback, materials and details.
2. Architectural Quality. New construction, reconstruction and new walls, gates, gateposts and fences made subject to review pursuant to Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter should be of thoughtful and considered architectural design.
3. Appearance. New construction, reconstruction and new walls, gates, gateposts and fences made subject to review pursuant to Section 17.80.100(6) of this Chapter may clearly read as such and need not present a false historic appearance.
D. For Demolition:
1. Demolition shall be deemed by the commission to be a major alteration.
2. The commission shall not approve the demolition of contributing historic structures that retain integrity of condition. If a request for demolition is based on structural instability or advanced deterioration, a technical report prepared by a professional engineer or architect that details the nature and extent of specific problems shall be submitted. A standard condition of approval for demolition of a contributing historic structure shall be the documentation of the existing building's elevations, including details and architectural features.
(Ord. No. 2010-28, § 1, 8-25-2010)