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<br />DRAFT as approved by the MSAB on 11-13-08 <br /> <br />Design Guidelines <br /> <br />REDEVELOPMENT OF MAIN STREET DESIGN CERTIFICATE AREA <br />Some areas are covered by the Commercial Area Requirements Sec. 106-443. See attached Main Street <br />Architectural Design District Map (MS ADD) for designated areas which are impacted by the Design Certificate. <br /> <br />To capitalize on La Porte's urban design and architectural character, the following principles shall serve as a <br />guide for future development in the Main Street District. In general, downtown should maintain the <br />appearance that has naturally developed over time and architectural styles may range from the late 1800's <br />through the 1950's. <br /> <br />SETBACK & HEIGHT <br />. Building heights shall not exceed 3 stories in designated area. <br />. Commercial buildings should be built on the zero lot line with the main entrance facing the primary street. <br />Corner entrances are an acceptable alternative for corner buildings <br /> <br />MASSING <br />. Long uninterrupted fa9ade planes should not be constructed, they should maintain the natural rhythm of <br />the historic 25' - 50' store fronts. A larger business may accomplish this visually by making the exterior <br />look like different store fronts. <br />. Building wall offsets (projections and recesses) and/or pilasters shall be used to break up the mass of a <br />single building into distinct vertical bays. Variations in roofline, materials, and color shall also be used to <br />break up the massing. <br />. All visible sides of a building shall have an articulated base and cap. The base shall align with either the <br />kickplate or sill level of the first story. The cap shall be at the top of the building wall and may take the <br />form of a cornice, or some other horizontal expression distinguished through design materials or colors. <br /> <br />ROOF FORMS <br />. Flat or sloped roofs with parapet walls shall be used on commercial buildings <br />. Shall conceal rooftop equipment such as HV AC units <br /> <br />FACADES & MATERIALS <br />. Building facades shall emphasize clearly articulated main entrances using awnings, canopies, columns, <br />pilasters and recessed entrances including side on corner lots <br />. Window and door openings shall have a vertical orientation and align vertically between floors <br />. Ground floors shall be 65-86% glazed. Upper floors shall be 35-65% glazed <br />. Canopies shall be appropriate to a building's architectural style and shall not conceal significant <br />architectural features. <br />. The primary material (minimum of 90%) shall be brick, stone, stucco, block (not smooth-faced) wood <br />siding or synthetic wood (such as Hardiplank) <br />. Not allowed: sheet metal siding, plywood, and EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing System), synthetic <br />stucco, exterior burglar bars <br /> <br />Exterior Wall Materials <br />. The primary material (minimum of 90%) shall be brick, stone, stucco, wood siding or synthetic wood <br />(such as Hardiplank) <br />. Not allowed: sheet metal siding, plywood, and EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing System), synthetic <br />stucco, exterior burglar bars <br /> <br />City of La Porte - Main Street Program <br /> <br />2 on <br />