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Upper Arlington Historic Guidelines1. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO USE THE BUILDING FOR IT'S ORIGINAL PURPOSE.
Each building in the Upper Arlington Historic District was designed to meet the criteria of Ben and King Thompson's master plan. Zoning was developed and specific uses were designated for every lot, and harmonious architectural designs were created for individual sites.
Early city planners for the District strategically balanced the appropriate number of lots for commercial, educational, institutional, retail, multi-family and single-family use.
For example, lots in the geographical center of the District were zoned for community use. The number of lots zoned for retail use was proportionally calculated to serve the number of residents projected for the community. Careful planning created the balance of building types that make the District an interesting and convenient place to live.
For current building and zoning regulations, contact the Development Department, at 614-583-5070.
The architectural design for the interior and exterior of each building type is different. A house, a school and a grocery store each has a unique identifiable appearance. Size of spaces, materials, details, set-backs, signage, circulation and site orientation vary greatly among building types.
It is not an accident that Jones Middle School and the Firehouse/Municipal Building are located at the center of the Upper Arlington Historic District - they are reminders that education and municipal services are among the primary concerns of residents. The original purpose of a well-planned building is its most appropriate use.
In 1930 the Municipal Building and Firehouse were planned and situated in what was then the exact center of the community. A sign is not necessary to identify the building - monumental stairs, 10-foot-high brass double doors, large scale detailing and the flagpole, are the timeless architectural symbols of the Old Municipal Building.
2. DO NOT DESTROY DISTINCTIVE ORIGINAL FEATURES
Distinctive original features include details, columns, arched openings, windows, brick designs, roof types, materials and design.
Maintaining original features allow the distinctive character of the house or building to serve as an excellent example of early 20th Century revival architecture in the Historic District. It also preserves the architectural, historic and economic value of the community.
3. ALL BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND SITES SHALL BE RECOGNIZED AS PRODUCTS OF THEIR OWN TIME
Cities are made up of a variety of historical architectural expressions designed in and for their time. Insensitive alterations and changes to the architecture and to the environment can destroy the special characteristic of this early 20th Century neighborhood.
Although some revival architecture of the early 20th Century does accurately reproduce historic precedent, it more often assimilates and combines diverse motifs. In most instances, the relationship between revival design and its earlier antecedent styles is clearly visible, but it retains its place in history.
The flavor of this community is set largely by its architecture and the setting in which it exists. The characteristic window proportions and materials such as siding, doors and shutters help to establish the identity of the revival-style architecture. Replacement of these details with more contemporary features should be avoided. Alterations that attempt to "early up" a building and have no historical basis are also discouraged.
4. RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER TIME
The history of a building includes not only the period of constructions, but frequently later additions and alterations. Not all changes are equally important, and some changes may be inappropriate and lack architectural integrity. However, it is important to evaluate all changes that have taken place over a period of time. No attempt should be made to create a building that never existed. Also avoid the arbitrary removal of features when attempting to restore a house to a particular style.
Some early alterations became significant in their own right because of the design, the materials used, or the architect involved in the project. For instance, the north and south wings on Jones Middle Schools were early building additions. They were designed by Howard Dwight Smith, the architect who designed the original building, thus have acquired the same distinction as the original building.
National Register designation does not mean a building or district must be frozen in time, but rather that any change should harmonize with the old and should respect the historic fabric of the district.
5. TREAT DISTINCTIVE STYLISTIC FEATURES WHICH ARE EXAMPLES OF SKILLED CRAFTSMANSHIP IN A SENSITIVE MANNER
Early 20th Century architectural styles in the Upper Arlington Historic District reflect design influences from the simple symmetrical Colonial Revival to the more elaborate 18th and 19th Century revival styles. Most of these homes have features that are revivals of well-established American architectural styles. Twentieth Century period architecture borrowed decorative elements that were popular during the 18th and 19th Centuries.
The first homes built in the District were American Colonial revival style which included the Cape Cod, Dutch Colonial and early Georgian Revival, as well as the simple symmetrical two-story with a shallow hipped roof and classical details. In addition, English traditions such as English Tudor Revival, which is distinguished by half-timbering, and English Cotswold or English Country Revival with its distinctive stone facing, were constructed. Other styles represented are Spanish Revival and French Revival.
Throughout the District, multi-family residences with similar revival features complement the single-family residential architecture.
Distinctive Architectural Styles Found in Upper Arlington
6. REPAIR RATHER THAN REPLACE WORN ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES WHEN POSSIBLE. WHEN REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY NEW MATERIAL SHOULD MATCH THE OLD IN DESIGN, COMPOSITION AND COLOR
The Upper Arlington Historic District consists of homes built with distinctive architectural features that characterize the uniqueness of the area. These distinctive architectural features should be retained or repaired.
Distinguishing features include roofing materials, window design and exterior cladding materials.
Roofing materials used in the District include slate, shake shingles, tile, and some asphalt and asbestos shingles.
Distinctive cladding materials used in the District include wood shingle, brick, stone, clapboard and stucco.
The different window types on these homes include double hung 6-over-6 and 6-over-1 with wood mullions, and casement, some with leaded glass.
There are still many slate and wood shingle roofs remaining on houses in the District; however, many have been replaced with asphalt shingles. Slate roofs can be repaired and renovated and will last indefinitely with periodic repair. Several roofers in the Central Ohio area specialize in slate roof repairs and have experience in historic preservation. With proper care and shingle replacement as needed, wood shingle roofs will also last many years.
Asphalt shingle roofs have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years; fiberglass shingles have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. Today's synthetic shingles are available in a variety of colors and some are manufactured to closely resemble slate and wood. In all cases, the best solutions to roof maintenance is to repair or replace the original as closely as possible in color, texture and design.
Many houses were built with copper gutters, down spouts and flashing which can last indefinitely with proper care and repair. Galvanized steel gutters and downspouts have a life expectancy of 50 years, and many eventually have to be replaced.
7. CLEAN MASONRY USING THE GENTLEST METHODS POSSIBLE. AVOID SANDBLASTING AND DAMAGING METHODS
Stone, brick and stucco exterior walls need relatively little care over the years, but should be checked periodically for deterioration due to water damage from leaking gutters, down spouts and chimney flashings. The source of any problem should be found and corrective repairs made. Repairs to mortar joints should be matched to the original color and texture and depth.
Cleaning stone, brick or stucco should be done with the mildest cleansing method possible. Harsh chemicals and sandblasting have a detrimental effect on the surfaces and will accelerate deterioration. Attempts to make the surface look new are discouraged, as it removes character and patina from the structure. Low pressure stream or water washes or just plain soap and water will usually remove surface dirt and should be done only on sound, repaired surfaces. Cleaning should be done when temperatures are high so that the walls will dry quickly and moisture will not work into the structure and cause interior damage.
Painted brick structures should be repainted or allowed to weather naturally. Removal of paint can be done only with harsh chemicals that will cause damage to brick and mortar.
Masonry sealants should be avoided, as they will cause moisture retention and structural damage.
Painted clapboard and shingle exteriors should be scraped, sanded, or stripped with paint remover. Sandblasting and high water pressure stripping will cause extreme damage to wood and can work into the interior structure. Excessive accumulations of paint should be stripped from wood surfaces to achieve a sound paint surface. Newer paints and opaque stains build up more slowly than the old lead and oil base paints.
In most cases, design detailing is lost by either being covered ort removed. Exterior trim elements should be retained and, if rotted or damaged, repaired with epoxy compounds or replaced.
Door and window replacement has become a major renovation business. Many of the wood windows being replaced could be repaired and reconditioned. Window replacements should match the style, opening size and mullion scale of the original so that original design detailed will not be changed.
8. PROTECT AND PRESERVE AFFECTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
A cabin on the Scioto River near Upper Arlington, was frequently used by the great Chief Tarhe on his visits to this area. Another Wyandot tribal chief, Leatherlips, was a friend of Tarhe and, in his old age, had considerable influence among the Indians. He became an obstacle to the plans of Tecumseh. Leatherlips was charged with witchcraft and murdered on June 1, 1810. Some accounts say that he was condemned to death for having befriended the white man.
As time passed, game and fur became scarce and more settlers arrived. Thus, the lingering Indians found it necessary to leave this area. Some of the tribe moved to Upper Sandusky where the Wyandots lived. The last of the Wyandots is honored today in Upper Arlington. The memorial to Bill Moose, who died in 1937, stands on Wyandot Hill overlooking the Scioto Trail.
9. COMPATIBLE CONTEMPORARY ALTERATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE IF THEY DON'T DESTROY SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL OR ARCHITECTURAL FABRIC
Residents in the District often need to renovate their homes by enlarging or adding rooms to accommodate growing families or to provide extra space for changing lifestyles and activities.
Much renovation has already occurred in the District and more will take place. Alterations that do not destroy the architectural or historic fabric of the building and are compatible to the neighborhood are acceptable.
Landscaping materials such as trees, shrubs, ground cover, plants, fences and gates should reflect the character of the neighborhood. Front yard fencing should be avoided to maintain continual visual character along the streetscape. When any kind of fencing is under consideration, local zoning codes should be checked prior to installation. Front porches should not be enclosed because the front façade will be adversely affected. If a side porch is enclosed, the original porch materials and detailed should be maintained and new materials and details should be compatible.
Additions should be located at the rear of the original structure. Bay, bow or picture windows should not be added unless they are known to have originally existed on the house. Dormers or skylights can seriously affect the roof's appearance and should be located at the rear or side to minimize their effect.
Keep original trim, replace in kind, or repair as needed areas such as corner boards, doors and window trim, eaves, cornices, and gables. Natural or wood siding is recommended, but if vinyl or aluminum siding is used, it should match the original in width and color and should be ventilated. Avoid covering architectural details such as cornerboards and windows and door trim.
Avoid heavily carved ort ornate doors, stained glass windows, decorative coach lamps, eagles wrought iron posts, columns, fences, trim and storm doors on the original exterior or on additions unless they originally existed.
Roofing materials should be duplicated whenever possible. If this is not possible, a compatible color and material is recommended.
10. BUILD NEW ADDITIONS SO THEY CAN BE REMOVED WITHOUT IMPAIRING THE UNDERLYING STRUCTURE
Additions should be built so that the original character and feeling of the building would survive if the additions were removed at any time in the future. Free-standing structures such as garages should be designed to observe height proportions of the building façade and openings including solid rhythms, spacing rhythms, setbacks and directionality of adjacent buildings, porches and other projections. Additions should be similar in character to others in the neighborhood.
Greenhouses or large glassed-in additions should also be located at the rear or side and screened with plantings so they cannot be seen from the front of the house. Porches, decks and patios should be located at the rear or rear-side of the house. The use of rough-sawn and barn beam material should be avoided. Windows should not be replaced with doors.
It is always desirable to build new additions so that they cause the least structural damage and change to a building and can be removed without impairing the original house.
Updated 7/01
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