Presentation to the German Village Historic Preservation Committee August 22, 2013

Statement Of Concern June, 10, 2013 We who live in the German Village Historic District believe that the recent interpretation by the German Village Commission of the German Village Guidelines for Historic Preservation has not been complementary to the historic integrity of the architecture of the original houses in German Village. (notes from the meeting: Are we being good stewards? Each needs to ask him/herself.)

The historic context is an important part of the design of any addition; therefore a proposed addition should not alter the essential character of a building. German Village Guidelines - pg.92 (notes from the meeting: There are more good examples than bad throughout the neighborhood, but additions need to be secondary to original structure.)

These additions do not “alter the essential character of the historic building”

Our Main Issues 1.Zoning 2.Lot Coverage and Green Space 3.Location 4.Scale and Proportion 5.Width 6.Garages and Outbuildings

Zoning The City of Columbus Zoning Ordinance regulates the maximum lot coverage allowed when adding additional living space German Village Guidelines - pg.114

Lot Coverage and Green Space Maximizing lot coverage with new construction and leaving little outdoor space is not in accordance with traditional, historical development patterns in the neighborhood, and is not appropriate for new construction in German Village. German Village Guidelines - pg. 105

These pictures, taken without a zoom lens, from the inside of one of the houses on the previous slide, show the lack of green space between the two buildings

Location An addition should not obscure or hide the original structure when viewed from any angle. An addition should not substantially alter the existing streetscape view from any elevation. If the addition is visible from other public rights of way, including alleys the impact should be considered from those views. German Village Guidelines - pg. 93

Scale and Proportion Scale refers to the size of a building in relation to adjacent and nearby structures. A building that is significantly larger or smaller to those around it will appear out of scale and there by not compatible. German Village Guidelines - pg. 106

Width The addition should be narrower and shallower than the historic structure: the exterior walls should step in from the walls of the historic structure German Village Guidelines - pg. 93

New Buildings for Garages and Outbuildings New construction should take design cues from the range of proportions found on surrounding structures. New construction design should contribute to the existing rhythms of the adjacent and nearby buildings, without duplicating them. The height of a new building should be no higher than the average heights of the surrounding structures. Garages should be located and sized to maintain the historic pattern of open space in German Village. Garages and outbuildings that overwhelm or compete with the residence or nearby structures are not subordinate and therefore should be avoided. Keep overall dimensions as small as possible. German Village Guidelines - pgs. 108, 114

We who signed the June 10, 2013 petition have questions …

Are we creating a neighborhood that will look dated in 30 years and will embracing the ‘style of the time’ effect our property values? 70’s and 80’s Style2012 Industrial Style

Preservation, rehabilitation, and new construction intended to make the Village a vital contemporary neighborhood can, and should, be done in a way that does not disrupt or diminish its historic character. German Village Guidelines - pg. 30 Have we disrupted and diminished the historic Village character?

The Caretaker of a Legacy Commissioners Award Awarded to a property owner in recognition of a recently completed project that contributes to the architectural, historic and aesthetic character of German Village and that shows sensitivity to the streetscape and surrounding properties. Was this appropriate and have we created a precedent for new additions?

Should a resident have to live this close to their neighbor’s new addition?

Appendix B: Revised GV Guidelines The Sec. of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood or environment. German Village Guidelines – pg.149, #9 Are we really abiding by this or have we taken it too far?

The German Village Commission manages the area’s continuing evolution and development... The Commission’s recommendations help safeguard all the qualities that make German Village a unique, special neighborhood. It protects and enhances those qualities by encouraging preservation and rehabilitation work that reflects and builds on the Village’s historic architecture and design.

German Village Society Enhancement Plan Adopted By GVS Board of Trustees January, 2003 Position Statement on Historic Preservation As caretakers of a legacy the GVS is committed to preserving the integrity and essence of the original German Village historic district. The Historic Preservation Committee serves as a forum to review architecture and land-use issues on behalf of the German Village Society Board.

Our Requests 1.That a letter from the Historic Preservation Committee be sent to the German Village Commission urging them to ensure that their interpretation and decisions adhere consistently with the German Village Guidelines and that copies of this letter be kept on file with City Council and the Mayor’s office. 2.That the Historic Preservation Committee investigate the City’s liberal granting of zoning variances.