Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic Overlay District

1. HISP PLANNING LAB 2008 Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic Overlay District Photo by: Kate Husband Photo by: Cristine Lynch AT A CROSSROADS

2. Planning Lab • Expands on previous coursework • Practical experience in a nearby community http://www.roamsecure.net/assets/images/150px-UMV_Logo.jpg

3. The Project • Assess development pressures • Analyze the current historic district design guidelines • Evaluate the current district boundaries Photo by M. Megan McDonald

4. COA Applications 2001-2007 New construction 4 Rehab/additions 7 Signs 12 Fences/streetscapes 7 Total 30

5. New Construction COAs • 4 applications • Compatibility • Area of influence Photos by Cristine Lynch

6. Rehab and Additions COAs • Use of synthetic and substitute materials • Owner compliance with COA decisions • Episcopal Church addition Photos by Cristine Lynch

7. Sign COAs • Increase in number of applications • Free-standing signs • Monument signs • Recommend new sign guidelines Photos by Cristine Lynch

8. Fence and Streetscape COAs • Transition to small-town atmosphere • Sidewalk project • Fence guidelines

9. Rezoning Applications 1998-2005

10. Younger Office (1999/2005) • Rezoned from Rural to Office • Retrofit historic home • Implications Photo by Cristine Lynch

11. Courthouse Village (1998)Village Square (2005)

12. Courthouse Village

13. Village Square

14. Implications of Courthouse Village and Village Square

15. In the Path of Development Photos by Cristine Lynch Photo by Cristine Lynch

16. Where Will Pressure Be Felt?

17. Recommended Action by the HPC • Strengthen the Historic District Design Guidelines • Create a mechanism for follow-up inspections of COA approvals • Initiate the expansion of district boundaries • Investigate protection of adjacent farmland

18. Recommended Action by the BOS • Adopt the current Draft Comp Plan Update as it applies to the District • Enact zoning congruent with Comp Plan, including TNDs • Make rezoning decisions on land contiguous to the district that reflect Comp Plan and Preservation Element goals • Ask the HPC to conduct a “courtesy review” when making rezoning decisions on land contiguous to the District

19. Analysis of Design Guidelines Rehabilitation Landscape Architecture New Construction Formatting

20. Architectural Rehabilitation Guidelines • Document should stand alone • Emphasis on materials and details • Photos and illustrations • Advice and guidelines on maintenance and repair • Utilities • Energy retrofitting and renewable energy

21. Landscape Architectural Guidelines • Tree Ordinance and Landscaping • Pedestrian Improvements • Parking, walls, and fences Photo by Kate Husband Photo by Kate Husband

22. Landscape Architectural Guidelines • Disability access • Signs and historic character • New site design Photo by Cristine Lynch Photo by Cristine Lynch

23. New Construction • Strengths • 4 Design Tendencies in 1997 Jaeger Report • Recommendations • Strengthen Characteristics of Existing Development • Develop Historic District Identity • Additions Photo by Cristine Lynch

24. Formatting • Audience • Introduction- Convey the purpose • Tone • What Guidelines Can and Cannot Do Section • What else to include • Glossary, Bibliography, etc.

25. Formatting Cont’d. • Labeling System • Current: 5.3.1.1 • Suggested: I.A.1 • Appearance • Portrait Layout • Limit Graphics • Publication • Online • Print copies Winchester, VA Guidelines

26. Recommended Local Historic District Boundary Extensions Importance of a stronger district: Increased number of architecturally significant structures Offer a greater precedent for future decisions Protecting the historic viewshed Correlation with the comprehensive plan D. 1. of the Comprehensive plan: “Expand the district where appropriate”

27. Current Local Boundaries The following recommendations include: 147 148 149 150 152 47a4-a4 70

28. Lot 147. The Dabney Farm

29. Lot 147. The Dabney Farm • Lot 147. • Commands viewshed upon entrance or exit of district. • Only front portion is within district boundaries. • Correlates to Comprehensive Plan. E. “Scenic approaches and buffers… shall be secured.” • Extension of boundary to the bypass • would help protect the view sheds • to the north and south of the bypass • as well as asserting the rural nature • of the Spotsylvania Courthouse District.

30. Lot 148 Photo by Kate Husband

31. Lot 148 • Example of a Vernacular Italianate style house in the Historic District Area • Inclusion will strengthen the historic character • The lot, along with lots 149, 150, and 152 will continue the streetscape along Courthouse Road.

32. Lot 149 Photo by Cristine Lynch

33. Lot 149 • Example of a Vernacular Queen Anne Style Structure. • Fits the overall character of the district. • Improves architectural precedent for HPC and guideline decisions. • Creates continuum down Courthouse Road with neighboring structures.

34. Lot 150 Photo by Cristine Lynch

35. Lot 150 • Excellent example of Vernacular Queen Anne Style • Contributes to the overall integrity of the district and street. • 7-11 Convenience Store across 208, currently is inside the district. This substantial structure is currently not included. • Excellent architectural precedent for HPC and design guideline reference. Photo by Kate Husband

36. Lot 152 Photo by Kate Husband

37. Lot 152 While there is no permanent structure on lot 152, its location and size warrants consideration for inclusion in the district. If accepted any new construction would be privy to the Design Guidelines for New Construction resulting in a contextually sensitive structure.

38. Lots 47a4-A4 and 47A4-A2 Photo by T.Morgan Riley

39. Lots 47a4-A4 and 47A4-A2 • While there is no permanent structure on these lots, their location and size warrant consideration similar to Lot 152. • Would provide the HPC with the ability to use Design Guidelines; establishing a walkable, mixed use development at the base of the intersection, correlating to the Comprehensive Plan.

40. Lot 70 Photo by T. Morgan Riley

41. Lot 70 • Example of a Vernacular Queen Anne Style Structure. • Fits the overall character of the district. • Improves architectural precedent for HPC and guideline decisions.

42. Boundary Recommendation Summary • The current Historic District boundaries that overlook several key areas described above.  • Lots 147,148, 149, 150,152,a4/a2, and 70 • Extending the Dabney Farm boundaries is important due to its rural character and contributing to the view shed.  • The inclusion of the associated undeveloped lots would help control infill to the area.

43. Overall Summary • District is experiencing development pressure inside and outside its boundaries • Its current guidelines have many weaknesses which make them susceptible to insensitive development and modifications • Current district boundaries exclude some historic resources and vacant lots

44. What Can Spotsy Do? • HPC members should work with developers of the Campus Master Plan in an advisory capacity • Strengthen the design guidelines (possibly by blending 1989 with 1997) • Synthetic materials • Fence heights and streetscape standards • New construction and infill • Signage • Expand the district boundaries to include nearby historic properties and associated undeveloped lots

45. HISP PLANNING LAB 2008 Thank You for Allowing Us to Conduct Our Investigation Photo by: M. Megan McDonald