Montgomery City Zoning Code
§ 16-13.25
Criteria and Standards.
[Ord. #89-621, S 4]
In making its determinations and recommendations, the Landmarks Preservation Commission shall take into consideration the specific criteria and standards set forth below:
a.
Demolition of Historic Sites or Structures within Historic Districts.
1.
Standards for Demolition. In regards to an application to demolish an historic site, landmark or any improvement within an historic district, the following matters shall be considered:
(a)
Its historic, architectural, archeological and aesthetic significance;
(b)
Its use;
(c)
Its age;
(d)
Its importance to the municipality and the extent to which its historical, architectural, or archeological value is such that its removal would be detrimental to the public interest;
(e)
The extent to which it is of such old, unusual or uncommon design, craftsmanship, texture or material that it could not be reproduced or could be reproduced only with great difficulty;
(f)
If it is within an historic district, the probable impact of its removal upon the continuity and ambience of said historic district.
b.
Specific Criteria for Consideration of Preservation Plans for Action other than Demolition. With respect to an application for a preservation plan for action other than demolition, the following additional matters shall be considered:
1.
If an historic site or landmark is the subject of the application:
(a)
The impact of the proposed change on the site's historic and architectural characteristics;
(b)
The site's importance to the municipality and the extent to which its historic or architectural interest would be adversely affected by the proposed change.
(c)
The extent to which there would be involvement of textures and materials that could not be reproduced or could be reproduced only with great difficulty.
(d)
The use of any structure involved.
2.
(Reserved)
3.
In addition to the above, if the application deals with a structure within an historic district, the impact the proposed change would have on the character and ambience of the historic district and the structure's visual compatibility with the buildings, places and structures to which it would be visually related in terms of the visual compatibility factors set forth in paragraph c below.
c.
Visual Compatibility Factors. The following factors shall be used in determining the visual compatibility of a building, structure or appurtenance thereof with the buildings and places to which it is visually related:
1.
Height. The height of proposed building shall be visually compatible with adjacent buildings.
2.
Proportion of the Building's Front Facade. The relationship of the width of the building to the height of the front elevation shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related.
3.
Proportion of Openings within the Facility. The relationship of the width of the window to the height of the windows in a building shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related.
4.
Rhythm of solids to Voids on Front Facade. The relationship of solids to voids in the front facade of a building shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related.
5.
Rhythm of Spacing of Buildings on Streets. The relationship of the building to the open space between it and the adjoining buildings shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related.
6.
Rhythm of Entrance and/or Porch Projections. The relationship of the entrance or entrances and the porch projections to the street shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related.
7.
Relationship of materials and Texture. The relationship of materials and texture of the front facade and roof of a building shall be visually compatible with the predominant materials used in the buildings to which it is visually related.
8.
Roof Shapes. The roof shapes of a building shall be visually compatible with the buildings to which it is visually related.
9.
Scale of Building. The size of a building, the mass of a building in relation to open spaces, the windows, door openings, porches and balconies shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related.
10.
Directional Expression of Front Facade. A building shall be visually compatible with the buildings and places to which it is visually related in its directional character, whether this be vertical character, horizontal character or non-directional character.