Page 32 - Healdsburg, CA Citywide Design Guidelines

Stretching out from the downtown to the north and east are older
Many blocks exhibit a consistency
in building form, setbacks and
orientation to the street.
A downtown sidewalk and
frequent storefronts provide a
connection with the community.
Pride in craftsmanship is seen
in buildings that display distinct
architectural details.
A commercial property contributes
to the streetscape with its detail
and landscaping.
24 Healdsburg Citywide Design Guidelines
residential neighborhoods, also on gridded streets. The earliest
have buildings of recognized historic styles and others from the
mid-Twentieth Century reflect the single-family Ranch form. To the
west of the Plaza, uses are more varied, with sections of industrial
character and others with large parcels of commercial and
institutional facilities.
Some Common Themes
All these places combine in an eclectic mix of styles, lot layouts
and uses, and this diversity is a key characteristic of Healdsburg.
At the same time, while there is diversity, some common themes
tie many places together into a cohesive whole. These are some
of those themes:
Continuity of Development Patterns
While diversity exists among building and landscape designs, at a
more basic level, many blocks have a consistency in building form,
setbacks and orientation to the street. This is seen in single family
neighborhoods where uniformly spaced houses with similar forms
and materials contribute to a sense of visual continuity.
A Connection with the Community
Many properties address the public realm in ways that establish
connections with their neighbors and signal that they are part of
the community. A front porch that provides a place to sit and visit,
a paseo through a commercial development and a storefront with
a large expanse of glass that permits views inside are examples.
Traditional Building Materials
Modern, traditional and historic buildings share a palette of
natural materials. Brick, stone, industrial metals, stucco and wood
siding are typical. These appear in a variety of forms, but most
have a sense of human scale. Even some newer materials, with
matte finishes and muted colors, fit within this palette.
Pride in Craftsmanship
Those buildings most valued convey a sense of pride in
craftsmanship. This appears in the details of a traditional
storefront, the details of eave overhangs and garden fences.
A Gift to the Street
Properties often have unique interpretations of traditional
building and landscape designs that provide accents in the urban
environment. A decorative cornice on a storefront, an ornamental
gate in a front yard, and a landscape buffer along an industrial site
are examples.
These themes are among those that define Healdsburg today.