Page 213 - Healdsburg, CA Citywide Design Guidelines

New Construction
Designing a building to fit within the historic character of a
neighborhood requires careful thought. Preservation in a historic
district context does not mean that the area must be “frozen” in
time, but it does mean that, when new building occurs, it should
reinforce the basic visual characteristics of the district. This does
not imply, however, that a new building must look old. In fact,
imitating historic style is generally discouraged.

This section presents design considerations for new construction Locate a building within the
in a designated historic district, next to a designated historic established front setback.
resource or next to a non-designated historic resource. The
considerations below are applicable to all new construction,
regardless of development type.

New construction should relate to the fundamental characteristics
of the historic building(s) while conveying the stylistic trends
of today. The design of new construction may draw upon the
basic elements of a historic building such as its location on a
site, relationship with the public realm and its basic mass, form Design a new building to respond
and materials. When these design variables are arranged in to the general mass and scale of a
a new building to be similar to those seen traditionally, visual neighboring historic structure(s).
compatibility results. These basic design relationships are more
fundamental than the details of an individual architectural style
and, therefore, it is possible to be compatible with the historic
context while also producing a design that is contemporary. The
following design guidelines outline key features of a new design
that will assist in a visually compatible result.

8.53 Locate a building within the established front setback.
a. Where the front wall of historic structures are aligned, Maintain the rhythm of buildings
locate a new building to be in alignment with these and side yards along the street.
structures.
b. Where there is a range of setbacks between historic
buildings, locate a new building within the established
range.

8.54 Maintain the rhythm of buildings and side yards along
the street.

This photo illustrates appropriate
infill development that responds
to the placement of buildings and
rhythm along the street, and the
general massing and form of the
historic structure.

Treatment of Historic Resources Chapter 8 205