Curb Appeal Program Design Guidelines

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Curb Appeal Program Design Guidelines These design guidelines are provided to help Curb Appeal Program applicants plan exterior improvements to residential properties.

1 Curb Appeal Program Design Guidelines These design guidelines are provided to help Curb Appeal Program applicants plan exterior improvements to residential properties. Improvements funded by the Program should, to the extent feasible, be compatible with the character and architecture of the home, as well as with other buildings along the street on which the home is located to the extent appropriate. Properties must have been completely built and inhabited before June 1, 2011 in order to be eligible for funding through the program. The emphasis is on quality workmanship and materials, attention to detail, and creative but affordable design solutions. Contractors often provide design guidance free of charge when asked to provide a work cost estimate. Therefore, program applicants are encouraged to consult with multiple contractors during the planning process to discuss design options, materials and costs. All work must be performed by licensed contractors in order to qualify for reimbursement. Choosing a Plan of Action Since most buildings in the target area were built before 1940, program applicants are encouraged to reference 1939 images, which can be found in the Building Department, to see what the property looked like at an earlier time. Program applicants are also encouraged to use Design Guidelines for the Residential Architecture of Springfield to help plan their project. This guide can be found online at: Alternately, a hard copy can be viewed or borrowed from the DevelopSpringfield Office at 1182 Main St. PRESERVE. If a quality feature is in good condition, maintain it as such. REPAIR. If a quality feature is deteriorated or damaged, repair it to its original condition if possible. REPLACE. If it is not feasible to repair a quality feature, replace it with one that is the same or similar in character (e.g., materials, detail, finish) to the original one. Replace only that portion which is beyond repair. RECONSTRUCT. If a necessary or desirable feature is missing entirely, reconstruct it based on evidence. NEW FEATURES. If a new feature is necessary, design it in such a way as to minimize its impact on original features. General Design Considerations Funding will only be provided for improvements that are visible from a public right of way. To the extent possible, projects should keep the design of the house true to the original architecture. You are not limited to the project ideas discussed here, but feel free to use them as a starting point for your Curb Appeal Project. In general: Curb Appeal Design Guidelines 1 Last Modified 7/15/2014

2 Homes should maintain a friendly presence to the street (e.g. maintain main entrance to home at front, minimize the height of front yard fences, and avoid enclosing porches with windows, lattice, or excessively high railings when possible) Restoration of historical architectural details is encouraged. Removal of design elements that do not support the building s character is also encouraged (e.g. fake brick or stone). The use of traditional, durable and high quality building materials is highly recommended. Colors of exterior materials, window frames, and other building features should be coordinated. Landscaping features should be added where appropriate. See attached list of Plants Native to the Springfield Area. See page of Design Guidelines for the Residential Architecture of Springfield for general detail guidelines. Building elements (e.g. doors, windows, lighting fixtures, etc.) should complement each other. Look to historic images for inspiration to keep with the style of the house. Windows Replacing existing windows with high-quality windows can cost upwards of $10,000. You may want to consider one of the following lower-cost projects: Replace ripped screens Repair broken glass panes Add shutters Add a window box full with plants Guidelines for Windows: Before replacing old windows, consider repairs with the addition of storm windows. This is a much less expensive approach, can preserve traditional and high quality materials, and increases your home s energy efficiency. Window replacements and framing should be appropriately scaled to the building, and the original building pattern should be retained if feasible. Closing off or making windows smaller is discouraged. Replacement windows should generally be the same size and type as the historical windows, if possible, unless the change provides a significant functional improvement (e.g. double hung windows which can be more easily cleaned, instead of single hung fixed windows). Broken windows must be repaired or replaced. Broken or boarded windows have a negative impact on a neighborhood. Special window shapes and styles should be used sparingly. Avoid Estate Home Style windows (e.g. tall arched windows). Thin profile aluminum or plastic windows or dark glazing are discouraged. Make sure the style and color matches the style and colors of the house. Doors Front doors are the focal point of a house, and there are many ways to improve their appearance. Replace your front door Paint an existing front door Make sure the style and color of the front door matches the style and colors of the house Curb Appeal Design Guidelines 2 Last Modified 7/15/2014

3 Replace or paint a damaged or dingy garage door Guidelines for Doors: The size and configuration of doors should be in proportion to the overall building as well as to adjacent properties. Doors should contain windows unless sidelights and transom exist. See Design Guidelines for the Residential Architecture of Springfield for additional considerations. For example, P.11 discusses considerations for windows and doors in Victorianstyle homes. Roofing and Siding Painting the exterior of your house can cost several thousand dollars instead, repaint only the trim for an updated look if possible Replacing an entire roof can be expensive instead, replace damaged shingles if feasible Install new house numbers Power wash your paint or siding Guidelines for Roofing and Siding: Building exteriors may be cleaned, repainted or re-sided to improve appearance. The number of exterior colors should generally be limited (unless there is a strong rationale for including many different colors). When using new brick, care should be taken to match the color and type of original brickwork. Use of decorative concrete block or applied false-brick veneer is discouraged. If using a mix of materials, avoid using too many materials two or at most three are enough. Avoid an even split of materials (i.e., 50/50) on the facades; it is best to have one material as the dominant surface. Funding may be used to remove vinyl, aluminum or asphalt siding to restore original wood siding underneath. Landscaping and Outdoor Lighting Landscaping can transform a property. New lighting fixtures are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also add a feeling of safety. Plant shrubs, bushes and perennials in your yard Plant grass or add an attractive groundcover Update outdoor lighting fixtures Use bricks or concrete pavers to enhance or create a walkway Repair uneven or cracked sidewalks Guidelines for Landscaping and Outdoor Lighting: When a fence is desired, picket fences or wrought iron fences are preferable. Note that front yard fences are not allowed in some residential zoning districts, and are limited to 36 high in some residential districts. Solid fences should not exceed 30 inches in height. Chain link or vinyl fencing is discouraged. Landscaping features, including window boxes and planters, are encouraged. Curb Appeal Design Guidelines 3 Last Modified 7/15/2014

Fluorescent or colored lights, as well as lights that glare onto streets, public ways or adjacent properties should be avoided.

4 Avoid removing mature trees unless they are dying, dead, diseased, or posing a safety hazard. Materials used near sidewalks should be highly durable and easily maintained while compatible with other exterior building materials. Avoid using non-organic materials (i.e. gravel or pavers) for more than 20% of the front yard. Fluorescent or colored lights, as well as lights that glare onto streets, public ways or adjacent properties should be avoided. Lighting fixtures should be visually appealing and appropriate to the building s architecture. Exterior lighting should highlight building elements or other distinctive features rather than attract attention to the light fixture itself. The addition or installation of front yard sensor lights is discouraged. Funding is available for removal of pavement visible from the street, but generally cannot be used toward driveway repaving projects. However, if the driveway is severely degraded and/or the repaving project replaces asphalt with decorative pavers, repaving projects will be considered. Porches and Stair Rails Replace or repair damaged porch or stair rail railings Repaint porches or stair rails for an updated look Repair or replace any rotted wood Guidelines for Porches and Stair Rails: Porch rails, balusters, columns, posts, and other features should present a cohesive façade. To add height to an existing porch rail, metal pipe rail extensions are preferred over replacement, if the existing porch rail is original. See example image on the following page. The use of vinyl replacements are discouraged. Avoid enclosing porches with windows, lattice or excessively high railings when possible When lattice work is desired, painted wood (rather than plastic) is encouraged, with holes between 1 and 1.75 wide, and with wood slats that measure between 1.5 and 1.75 thick. Lattice should be framed and should not cover column supports. Restoration of existing stair rails is strongly preferred to replacement if the rails are original to the home. A well-designed 36 high simple, painted wooden stair rail or a black metal rail are the preferred replacements for railings. Avoid installing stair rails taller than 36 high. To add height to a porch rail, metal pipe rail extensions are preferred over replacement. Curb Appeal Design Guidelines 4 Last Modified 7/15/2014

5 Miscellaneous: Gutters, Mechanicals and Refuse Areas Replace gutters or downspouts if needed. Downspouts and other drains should be kept clear and well-maintained. Conceal mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to minimize their visual impact on building facades. If installing new mechanical meters, they should not be installed on the front façade or, to the extent feasible, be visible from the street. To the extent feasible, satellite dishes should not be seen from the street. Outdoor refuse areas should be totally enclosed or concealed from view from the street or sidewalk when possible. Plants Native to the Springfield Area TREES Amur Maple Mimosa Tree Smoke Tree Green Ash-cultivars Honeylocust-cultivars Junipers Goldenrain Tree Jack Pine White Pine Japanese Black Pine Japanese Scholartree SHRUBS Artemesias Quince Sweetfern Scotch Broom Arnold Promise Witchhazel GROUND COVERS AND PERENNIALS Yarrow Bearberry Carpathian Bellflower Tickseed varieties Globe Thistle Blanketflower Babysbreath Hostas Junipers Northern Barberry Mockorange Potentillas Rugosa Roses Blackhawk-Biburnum Lavenders Curb Appeal Design Guidelines 5 Last Modified 7/15/2014

6 Gayfeather Maiden Grass Persian Catmint Bearded Tongue Russia Sage Moss Pink Coneflower Autumn Joy-Stonecrop Stoke s Aster Thyme Yellowroot Curb Appeal Design Guidelines 6 Last Modified 7/15/2014

Design Guidelines for Construction and Renovation in the Longmeadow Historic District

Design Guidelines for Construction and Renovation in the Longmeadow Historic District Revision 2008.1 The following list of Guidelines has been compiled to facilitate the homeowner's planning for projects