§ 138-2107. Design criteria.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    All new development, alteration, demolition, relocation, reconstruction, and excavation within the Old Palm Harbor Downtown (OPH-D) District shall be subject to the criteria for historic properties set forth in chapter 146, The Historic Preservation Code, and reiterated below. Those properties that are also located within the Downtown Palm Harbor Historic District shall continue to be subject to the provisions of chapter 146.

    (b)

    The following design criteria apply to the OPH-D district. Downtown Old Palm Harbor is the historic commercial center for one of the oldest communities in the county. There are several contributing buildings within the OPH-D district. The historical "contributing" buildings located in the OPH-D district do not fall into any specific architectural style but are instead considered a part of the "folk" architectural tradition. For this reason, design criteria cannot be based upon specific, stylistic elements but instead must be based upon integrating the elements and characteristics that are present in the district.

    These characteristics include; the relationship between the shape, size and height of the buildings, the front-facing orientation of the buildings and the lack of setbacks from the main street, the major roof types; window/door design and placement; and minimal ornamentation and architectural detailing. Minor connecting elements in the district include shutters, porches, and fences.

    (1)

    General design criteria.

    a.

    The scale (height/width ratio) of new construction, or of alterations/additions to existing structures, shall be similar to that of the contributing structures in the district.

    b.

    The historical setback patterns and street-facing orientation shall be maintained for new and reconstructed buildings. The orientation of new buildings, and of alterations/additions to existing buildings, shall maintain front-facing façades with the main entrance on the street side of the building.

    c.

    The size, slope, and type of roofs for new construction, or for alterations/additions to contributing structures, shall be similar to those of the contributing structures.

    d.

    Shutters shall be in character with the style and period of the building. Replacement shutters shall be similar to the original in size, configuration, and style, and shall fit the window openings, not to overlap on the surface of the wall.

    e.

    Porch additions shall have a roof type that is either similar to the existing roof or that is in character with the style and period of the building.

    f.

    Historically, building, trim, and roof colors have not been a major defining component of the district. Choice of colors should complement and enhance the character of the district. For new construction and noncontributing structures, specific color choice is left to the discretion of the property owner. For contributing structures, the general criteria for evaluating certificates of appropriateness as cited in subsection 146-5(a)(5) of the Historic Preservation Code shall be followed.

    g.

    On-street or alley parking should be maintained. Historical parking patterns should be followed in site-plan requirements for new construction.

    (2)

    Contributing structures.

    a.

    If windows and doors in contributing structures are determined to be unrepairable, they shall be replaced with new windows and/or doors matching the size, spacing, and where possible, materials of the originals. The use of materials other than the original materials shall be considered by the Downtown Palm Harbor Review Committee (DPHRC) and Pinellas County on a case-by-case basis.

    b.

    Porches and porch features that are in good condition or repairable, and which are in character with the style and period of the building, shall be retained. Porches and porch features shall be repaired so they match the existing in materials, size and configuration.

    (3)

    Noncontributing structures.

    a.

    Where possible and appropriate, alterations and additions to noncontributing structures shall be similar to the major features, details and materials found in the contributing structures. Alterations and additions shall not introduce false historical architectural features not found in the district.

    b.

    Where possible and appropriate, when renovating an existing noncontributing structure, new or replacement windows and/or doors shall be similar to the size, spacing, materials and general rhythm of the windows and doors found in the contributing structures.

    (4)

    New construction.

    a.

    The roof types of new buildings shall conform to the roof types of the contributing structures in the district. Gable, pyramidal (hip), and flat roofs with parapets are found in the contributing structures. Use of a roof type that is not present in the contributing structures, and which can be seen from the street is prohibited. Alternative roof styles can be used if they are concealed by a parapet and are not visible from the street.

    b.

    Proportions, configurations, and placement of windows and doors in new buildings shall be similar to the size, spacing, materials and general rhythm of the window/door fenestration found in the contributing structures.

    c.

    Use of double-hung sash windows with two four-lites is encouraged. Jalousie windows are prohibited. Recessed entrances are encouraged.

    d.

    Major architectural features, detailing and materials used in new construction shall be similar to those of the contributing structures found in the district.

    e.

    Modern equipment such as solar collectors, air conditioners, etc., shall be concealed from public view.

    (c)

    Fences within the OPH-D district shall be limited to the following styles and materials:

    (1)

    All fences and walls shall be constructed of materials appropriate to their purpose and location and shall be compatible with the streetscape materials.

    a.

    Fences and walls on all street frontages shall be constructed only of decorative open pickets, decorative aluminum, brick, or stamped concrete which are compatible with the streetscape design materials.

    b.

    No fence or wall shall be constructed of corrugated sheet metal, barbed wire, chicken wire, or similar materials.

    c.

    Chain link fences concealed by landscaping may be allowed along the side of property that has no street or alley frontage.

    (2)

    On all street frontages (except for frontage on an alley), walls and fences shall not exceed three feet in height.

    (3)

    No fence or wall shall be constructed within a public right-of-way, right-of-way easement or utility easement, unless authorized by the county.

    (4)

    No fence or wall shall enclose a water meter box or manhole, unless authorized by the county.

    (5)

    Where not specifically defined in this section, fences and walls shall otherwise comply with chapter 138, article X, division 4.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)