2005-099ORDINANCE NO. ~--~ 04 q
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR A ZONING
CHANGE TO CREATE AN OVERLAY DISTRICT CONSISTING OF A HISTORIC
CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT BEING GENERALLY LOCATED THE EAST
AND WEST SIDES OF BELL AVENUE, SOUTH OF SHERMAN DRIVE AND NORTH OF
UNIVERSITY DRIVE; AMENDING CHAPTER 35, SUBCHAPTER 7 OF THE CITY OF
DENTON CODE OF ORDINANCES, "DENTON DEVELOPMENT CODE", .... SPECIAL
PURPOSE AND OVERLAY DISTRICTS" TO ADD SECTION 35.7.7 "BELL AVENUE
HISTORIC CONSERVATION DISTRICT" PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF BELL
AVENUE HISTORIC CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT AND REGULATION;
SUCH OVERLAY DISTRICT ESTABLISHES DIFFERENT REGULATIONS TO HELP
CONSERVE THE HISTORIC, ARCHITECTURAL, AND CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES OF
THE DISTRICT', PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A
PENALTY IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $2,000.00 FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF;
AND PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there are areas of the city which reflect elements
of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, architectural or archeological history which
should be conserved and protected; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that by allowing the creation of historic conservation
districts that it will provide flexibility in protecting the particular cultural, social, economic,
political, architectural or archeological history of these areas; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has received recommendations from the Historic
Landmark Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission, after giving the required
notices and required public hearings recommending that the city should allow the creation of the
Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District to protect the city's architectural and cultural
attributes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that allowing the establishment of such historic
conservation districts serves a public purpose;
WHEREAS, the Historic Landmark Commission recommended the change in zoning to
create the Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District;
WHEREAS, the Bell Avenue Historic Overlay District area is more particularly
described in Attachment "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference; and
WHEREAS, on January 12, 2005, the Planning and Zoning Commission concluded a
public hearing as required by law, and unanimously recommended approval of the requested
change in zoning; and
WHEREAS, the City Council makes the following findings:
The change in zoning creating the overlay district, is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan; and
The overlay district will protect and enhance the Property and surrounding area
which are distinct from lands and structures outside of the overlay district and the
immediate neighborhood; and
The regulations imposed in the overlay district serve important and substantial
public interests by preserving the integrity of the neighborhood surrounding the
overlay district while offering protection to the unique architectural and cultural
attributes of the overlay district; NOW THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDA1NS:
SECTION 1. The findings and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The zoning for the tract described in Exhibit "A" is rezoned to create the
Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District.
SECTION 3. The City's official zoning map is amended to show the change in zoning
district classification.
SECTION 4. The following amendment to Chapter 35 will be the applicable regulations
to the overlay district. Chapter 35, Subchapter 7 "Denton Development Code", "Special Purpose
and Overlay Districts", Code of Ordinance, City of Denton Texas is hereby amended by adding
Section 35.7.7, Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District to read as follows:
35.7.7 Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District
35.7.7.1 Purpose
The purpose of establishing the Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District is to:
A. Safeguard the heritage of the City of Denton by preserving the Bell Avenue area of the city wh/ch contain
landmarks, buildings, and/or sites which reflect elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political or
architectural or archeological history;
B. Stabilize and improve property values;
C. Ensure compatibility of new construction and structural alterations with the existing scale and
characteristics of surrounding properties;
D. Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past;
E. Identify and promote the use of historic resources for the education, pleasure, and welfare of citizens of
the City of Denton.
35.7.7.2 Definitions
The folloxdng words, terms and phrases, when used in this Subchapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
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HPO: The Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Denton (HPO).
Landmark: Any budding, structure, site, district, area or land of architecmral, historical, archaeological or
cultural importance or value which the city council determines shall be protected, enhanced and preserved in
the interest of the culture, prosperity, education and general welfare of the people.
Landmark Commission: The City of Denton Historic Landmark Commission (Landmark Commission).
Site: The location of a sighificant event, a prehistoric o~: historic occupation or activity, which may include
open spaces, or a building or structure, whether standing, mined, or vanished, where the location itself
possesses historic, cultuxal, or archeological value regardless of the value of any existing structure.
35.7.7.3 Application of Regulations
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to do, or allow or cause any other person to do, any of the following acts on
any property located within the District without fttst applying for and receiving a certificate of appropriateness from the
Landmark Commission.
1. Constructing a new building or making an addition to an existing building.
2. Reconstructing, alte£mg, changing, or restoring the exterior facade of any existing building.
3. Placing or locating any building.
4. Performing any act for which a certificate of appropriateness is requi~ed by thia subchapter.
B. Any construction, alteration, or improvement made on any property within the District which would not
reqinre a certificate of appropriateness by reason of it not being visible from any public street as provided
in this subchapter, shall be submitted to the HPO, prior to the beginning of the work, for his/her
determination of whether the improvement would be visible from a public street.
C. Other regulations applicable to the District as contained in part of the Code of Ordinances shall continue
to apply to the District, except as specifically modified herein.
D. If any provision of this subchapter conflicts with any other provision of the Code of Ordinances, the
provisions of this subchapter shall govern and control.
E. Where any provision of this subchapter modifies any provision of any other ordinance applicable to the
District, the words used herein shall have the meaning defined in the provisions of the ordinance
modified, unless the definition is otherwise provided herein.
35.7.7.4
A.
Approval Procedures
The requirements and procedures for certificate of appropriateness shall be the same as those provided for
in subchapter 35.6.9 of the Code of Ordinances.
35.7.7.5 Architectural Regulations
Architectural requirements in the Bell Avenue Conservation District shall be as follows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Main Building. Main buildings must be compatible in scale with structure existing in the district.
Accessory Buildings. Accessory buildings which are visible from any public street, other than an
alley, must be compatible with the scale, shape, mol form, materials, detailing and color of the main
building.
Architectural Detail. Materials, colors, structural and decoration elements and the manner in which
they are used, applied or joined together must be compatible with nearby and adjacent structures.
Additions. All additions to a building must be compatible with the dominant horizontal or vertical
characteristics, scale, shape, roof form, materials, detailing and color of the existing building.
Color. Colors of all structures must be complementary to each other and the overall character of the
main building.
(6)
(7)
(S)
Facade Materials. The only permitted facade materials will be brick, wood siding, wood, stone and
stucco. Artificial facsimiles of these materials will have to be considered on a case by case basis.
Historic architectural elements of the facade are to be preserved if they are still historically accurate at
the time of the creation of the district.
Roof Material and Colors. Roof materials and colors must complement the style and overall scheme of
the structure.
35.7.7.6 Existing Construction
A. Repairs shall be made in a manner that preserves or prolongs the structural integrity of the character
defining features of a property. Repairs shall be executed in a manner consistent with the design guidelines
established by each individual historic conservation district.
B. Repairs to structures that are deemed not to contribute to the character defining features of the
district will not have to comply with the design guidelines as long as the repairs are consistent with current
architecture of the structures.
35.7.7.7
A.
35.7.7.8
A.
Alterations to Existing Construction
Exterior structural alterations along the street frontage of historic buildings or structures should be
avoided and shall be kept to a minimum.
B. Design for structural alterations to existing buildings or structures in the historic conservation district shall
conform to the design guidelines established by each individual historic conservation district. The design
shall be compatible with the character defining features of the maiority of surrounding properties and
exhibit similar size, massing and scale as nearby contributing buildings or structures.
C. The design guidelines will not apply to structures that are deemed not to contribute m the character
defining features of the district as long as the alterations match the existing exterior structure_.
New construction; Structural Enlargement or Reduction
When new buildings or structures are proposed within the Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District,
their design shall be compatible with the historic, cultural, or architectural character of the area. The
design shall promote the existing spatial and visual qualifies in the historic conservation district, including
height and scale of buildings or structures, orientation, set back, spacing, site coverage, and exterior
features.
Design for new construction shall conform to the design gu/relines established by each individual historic
conservation district and a certificate of appropriateness sha~ be required under the same process as in
section 35.7.6.9.
This section shall not apply to new construction to replace a building that was deemed not to contribute to
the character defufing features of the district. The new construction must match the height, scale,
orientation, set back, spacing, site coverage and exterior features of the building which it is replacing. New
construction must meet the provisions of subsections A and B herein if a building permit is not apphed for
within six months and construction does not begin within 12 months of the damage, or destruction of the
stmctore.
35.7.7.9 Design Guidelines
Design guidelines are attached as Appendix A of this subchapter. The design guidelines are to help guide the
HLC, residents, and developers in determining conformity with the conservation of the historic and architectural
heritage of the Bell Avenue Conservation District.
SECTION 5. If any provisions of any section of this ordinance shall be held to be void
or unconstitutional, such holding shall in no way effect the validity of the remaining provisions
or sections of this ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 6. Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall, upon
conviction, be fined a sum not exceeding $2000.00. Each day that a provision of this ordinance
is violated shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall become effective fourteen (14) days from the date
of its passage, and the City Secretary is hereby directed to cause the caption of this ordinance to
be published twice in the Denton Record-Chronicle, the official newspaper of the City of
Denton, Texas within ten (10) days of the date of its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the day of ~/./Z?.d~
L
,2005.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
By: ti
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
Appendix A, Subchapter 37.7.7
Bell Avenue Conservation District Guidelines
Like Historic Districts, Conservation District status is a form of overlay zoning which
adds a level of protection to selected neighborhoods. These guidelines will help to ensure
sensible and harmonious design in terms of massing, fenestration and scale for cases
involving new construction or developments that include infill construction within
established neighborhoods. In terms of proposed exterior rehabilitation or maintenance of
existing structures, the guidelines will provide property owners with solutions that respect
the traditional design and intention of the built and natural environments.
In addition to these guidelines, development is also subject to the requirements in the
Denton Development Code as they relate to building height, lot size, setbacks and
parking.
The Bell Avenue Conservation District consists of the area facing Bell Avenue between
University Drive (Highway 380) and Sherman Drive (FM 428). The purpose of these
guidelines is to prevent the loss of the Districfs historic buildings, and to serve as a guide
for rehabilitation of existing buildings, construction of new buildings, and additions and
relocation of buildings so as to preserve the historic and cultural character and the visual
identity of the District.
EXISTING BUILDINGS/STREETSCAPES
Fagade Treatments
Conservation Districts seek to preserve the fagade(s) of existing structures visible from
the public right of way or street. The crucial aspects involve the appearance of the
fagade(s) and the fenestration (e.g., placement of openings) of windows, doors and
related trim.
1) Materials
a) Original Materials
1) Brick or stone that was originally
unpainted should remain so, since
irreversible damage can result from attempts
to remove paint by methods such as
sandblasting. Painting or covering original
brick or stone is discouraged.
2) Retain significant character defining
wooden or metal fagade elements. Examples
include comice brackets, gingerbread,
decorative trim elements, ornamental
barge/fascia board, and soffit.
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b) Maintenance
1) The United States Department of the
Interior's publication, Standards for
Rehabilitation and Guidelines for
Rehabilitating Historic Buildings indicates
that light detergents and water are the only
acceptable methods for cleaning masonry.
However, certain chemical stripping agents
are safe to use on masonry surfaces within
controlled environments, and are acceptable
to use. Upon request, the Texas Historic
Commission (512-463-6092) or the City of
Denton Preservation Officer (940-349-8529)
can provide details as to these cleaning
agents.
2) Sandblasting and other methods that
utilize harsh abrasives/chemicals, or
contents under high pressure are not
permitted.
3) When repointing masonry, every effort
must be made to duplicate the original
strength and color of the original mortar, so
as not to damage the brick or stone face due
to spalling and to help the repair blend in
with the original work.
2) Roofs
a) Existing roofs that are visible from the public fight of
way should retain their profile as it relates to shape and
slope. Appropriate roof treatments in Conservation
Districts include dimensional shingles, real or synthetic
slate shingles or standing seam metal.
b) Historic systems that are integral to the roof, such as
flashing, and leader/conductor boxes, built-in gutters,
downspouts or snow guards, should be retained and
maintained on a regular basis, as these types of systems
often were crafted of heavy gauge, resilient materials such
as copper or zinc and generally outperform modem
materials, as well as retain a patina and contribute to the
appearance of the structure.
c) Buildings that incorporate a sloped roof, such as a gable
and/or hipped roof, often feature decorative elements that
should be retained, including but not limited to, roof
cresting, ridge caps and finials.
3) Doors
a) Replacement doors should be sized to fit in the existing
opening. The opening should not be altered so as to accept
either a smaller door (e.g., filling in excess space with
material such as lumber, bricks or cement blocks) or to
facilitate a larger door or doors (e.g., knocking out part of
the surrounding wall and reframing the opening).
4) Windows
a) Window openings should not be altered to accommodate
replacement windows (e.g., "blocking down" or "blocking
in" the opening).
b) Replacement windows should relate to and he
appropriate for the age and architectural style of the
structure.
c) In situations where original windows remain, every
effort should be made to repair such windows, rather than
replace them outright.
d) Certificate of Appropriateness review will be required
for any window repair or change due to code and safety
regulations.
5) Porches
a) Character defining details, such as decorative wooden or
metal trim, turned wooden or cast iron columns, sections of
the balustrade (e.g., spindles, newel posts and hand/top
railings), and skirting should be retained. Every effort
should be made to repair damaged portions of original
materials.
b) Porch roofs and their original character defining
features, such as shed roofs commonly found on rowhouses
or gabled roofs specified on semi-detached twins or
detached homes, should be retained.
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c) Original porch flooring or ceiling materials, such as
tongue and groove planks, also known as center matched
strip flooring (also used as a ceiling material), should be
preserved and retained wherever possible, or replaced in
kind.
Building Materials~ Proportion and Proffie
Materials to be used for repairs to, or new additions to, existing buildings should
harmonize with existing materials. Appropriate wall materials shall include, but not be
limited to, brick, stone, stucco, natural wood or cementious siding. Any side, front or rear
addition that is visible from the primary street, and which increases the footprint of the
main building, would be reviewed.
1) Roofs:
a) For new construction, the principal roofline should be
consistent with the adjacent streetscape.
b) New additions must respect the existing building's roof
profile and, if visible from the primary street, be in
harmony with it in terms of form, texture and color.
c) Appropriate roofing materials, when visible fxom the
public right of way, should consist of dimensional shingles,
real or artificial slate, wooden shakes or standing seam
metal.
2) Doors:
a) For new construction, principal facades facing the street
shall contain an entry door.
1) For comer properties, either fa9ade facing
the street can qualify as 'primary,' and thus
be eligible for placement of the entry door.
3) Porches:
a) Residential new construction should incorporate a front
or side porch, ifa pomh exists on the immediately
adjacent properties within the block face.
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4) Paint:
a) Certain colors prohibited. Fluorescent, metallic colors
are not permitted on the exterior of any structure in the
district
5) Windows:
a) Primary windows should be harmonious with adjacent
properties and generally reflect vertical proportions (e.g.,
taller than they are wide). Accessory or omamental
windows such as gable windows, sidelights and transom
windows are allowed.
6) Utilities:
a) Utilities, such as gas and electric meters, should not be
placed on or along the primary faqade of new residential or
commercial structures, when possible.
b) Where visibility of utilities is an issue, they should be:
1) painted so as to blend into the
background.
2) screened with vegetation so as to
minimize the impact on the facade.
3) placed at or near ground level.
c) HVAC equipment should be placed on or along the rear
facade or rear half of secondary facades and be screened
from view by vegetation or fencing as referenced below.
d) Cable and satellite television accessories, such as dishes
and antennae, should be located on the rear half of the side
facades or rear half of'the roof, out of plain view where
possible.
7) Fencing:
a) All matters regarding fencing to be located in the from
yard, or front and side yards of a comer property, shall fall
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under the jurisdiction of the amended portion of Section
35.13.9 of the City of Denton Development Code
8) Topography:
The site for new construction which is within view of
the public right of way shall be in harmony with
existing topographical features typical of the
neighborhood.
REVIEW PROCESS
All exterior changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior
to beginning work. The COA should be filed with the Historic
Preservation Officer (HPO). All existing timelines will be followed.
Things that require a COA include:
1. Constructing a new building or making an addition to an existing
building
2. Reconstructing, altering changing or restoring the exterior faqade
of an existing building
3. Placing or relocating a building
4. Removing or demolishing exterior architectural features
5. Constructing, repairing or erecting a permanent improvement
(fence, driveway, etc.)
Any ordinary maintenance or repair shall be submitted on a COA to the
HPO prior to the beginning of the work to determine whether the work
jeopardizes the character of the building or district. Examples of routine
maintenance would include:
1. Paint
2. Repairing the structure using like materials (wood with new wood,
composition shingles with new composition shingles, etc.)
3. Replacing windows or doors with like materials of the same size
If the HPO determines that the work should be reviewed by the HLC, they
will place it on the next agenda and notify the applicant of the time and
date of the public hearing. If the HLC denies the COA, the applicant may
appeal their decision to the Denton City Council.
DEFINITIONS
1. Addition: A construction project physically connected to the
exterior of building.
2. Alteration: Any change affecting the exterior appearance of an
existing improvement by additions, reconstruction, remodeling, or
maintenance involving changes in form, texture, or materials.
3. COA: Certificate of Appropriateness; a form which must be filled
out and turned in to the Historic Preservation Officer prior to
beginning exterior work on a structure.
Demolition: The act or process of wrecking, destroying, or
removing any building or any part thereof. Demolition includes,
but is not limited to, the removal of a building from its site, or the
removal or destruction of a fagade or surface.
5. Design Guidelines: Written criteria, supplemented by graphic
illustrations as appropriate, illustrating architectural considerations,
which will affect the granting of building permits within the urban
conservation district.
Fagade: Any of the exterior faces of a building.
HLC: The City of Denton Historic Landmark Commission.
HPO: The City of Denton Historic Preservation Officer.
Improvement: Any building, structure, fence, gate, wall,
walkway, parking facility, light fixture, bench, fountain, sign, work
of art, earthworks, or other man-made objects constituting a
physical betterment of real property, or any part of such
betterment.
10. Infill: Descriptive of buildings that have been designed and built to
replace missing structures or otherwise fill gaps in the streetscape.
Infill architecture shall be compatible in such elements as height,
proportion, and materials.
11. Ordinary Maintenance or Repair: The process of conserving a
site, building, structure or object over time to prevent deterioration
as opposed to restoration or rehabilitation; may include inspection
and planning as well as housekeeping, minor repairs, and painting.
12. Preservation: The act or process of applying measures to sustain
the existing form, integrity, and material of a building or structure
and the existing form and vegetative cover of a site. It may include
initial stabilization work where necessary, as well as ongoing
maintenance of the building materials and vegetation.
13. Primary Fa~:ade: The front wall of a building, or the wall in
which the principal building entrance is located.
14. Public Right-of-Way: Any designated public street, sidewalk, or
alley.
15. Rehabilitation: The act or process of making possible a
compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and
7.
8.
9.
additions while preserving those portions or features, which
convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.
16. Restoration: The act or process of accurately recovering the form,
features and character of a property as it appeared at a particular
period of time, which may involve the removal of later additions or
alterations, or the replacement of missing features.
SecretarF of the Interior's Standards For Rehabilitation
1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires
minimal change to the defming characteristics of the building and its site and
environment.
2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of
historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property
shall be avoided.
3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use.
Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding
conjectural features or architectural elements fi.om other buildings, shall not be
undertaken.
4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic
significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of
craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the
severity of deterioration requires replacement ora distinctive feature, the new feature
shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where
possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by
documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic
materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be
undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
8. Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and
preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be
undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy
historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated
fi'om the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural
features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
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10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a
manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired.
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Prevalent architectural styles in the
Bell Avenue Historic Conservation District
Example ora Ranch Style House, 1815 Bell
Growing out of the Modem style, but owing as much to the earlier Bungalow, Prairie and
Cottage styles, is the much-maligned American Ranch Style home (1932 to present). The
criticism usually comes from a generation that grew up in suburbs of ranch houses, but
who is not yet distant enough in time to look objectively at the fifties styles.
Although some say Ranch Style homes have no style at all, this is not tree; there was a
very conscious attempt to emphasize the horizontal and to create an open floor plan.
Large ranch homes may sprawl 2000-3000 square feet with rooms and hallways flowing
into one another, and sliding glass doors opening the interior of the house into the back
patio. The formal dining room is more of an extension of the kitchen and living room
than a separate room.
The quality of construction in even modest fifties ranch houses is usually better than in
houses from the 1970's. The floors are of oak even when covered with a carpet, the
exterior is of solid brick rather than cheap composite siding, bathroom tile work is
common.
Ranch style houses have many of these features:
· Single story
· Low pitched gable roof
· Deep-set eaves
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· Horizontal, rambling layout: Long, narrow, and Iow to the ground
· Rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped design
· Asymmetrical
· Large windows: double-hung, sliding, and picture
· Sliding glass doors leading out to patio
· Attached garage
· Simple floor plans
· Emphasis on openness (few interior walls) and efficient use of space
· Built fi.om natural materials: Oak floors, wood or brick exterior
· Lack decorative detailing, aside from decorative shutters and porch-roof supports
Example of a Bungalow, 2016Bell
The Craftsman Bungalow (1905-1930) is an all American housing style, but it has its
spiritual roots in India. Native houses in the province of Bengal were called bangla or
bangala. British colonists adapted these one-story thatch-roofed huts to use as summer
homes. For their comfortable bangla, the British arranged dining rooms, bedrooms,
kitchens, and bathrooms arotmd central living rooms. This efficient floor plan became the
prototype for America's Craftsman Bungalows.
The first American house to be called a bungalow was designed in 1879 by William
Gibbons Preston. Two California architects, Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather
Greene, are often credited with inspiring America to build simple one-and-a-half story
bungalows. Homes designed by the Greenes were publicized in magazines, and a flood of
pattern books followed.
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Architectural purists say that tree Bungalows represent structural simplicity, efficient use
of space, and understated style. Most of the living area is placed on the ground floor.
Seventy-five years after Bungalows took America by storm, the style remains a popular
favorite. These comfortable and elegant little houses are prevalent in the Bell Avenue
area.
Craftsman style bungalows usually have these features:
· Low-pitched roof
· Wide eaves with exposed roof rafters
· Decorative braces
· Porch with square colums
· One or one and a half stories
· Built-in cabinets, shelves, and seating
Many Craftsman bungalows also have:
· Stone chinmeys
· Gabled dormers
· Sloping foundation
Example ora Colonial Revival House, 1816 Bell
Colonial Revival became a popular American house style after it appeared at the 1876 the
US Centennial Exposition. Reflecting American patriotism and a desire for simplicity,
the Colonial Revival house style remained popular until the mid-1950s. Between World
War I and II, Colonial Revival was the most popular historic revival house style in the
United States.
Some architectural historians say that Colonial Revival is a Victorian style; others believe
that the Colonial Revival style marked the end of the Victorian period in architecture.
The Colonial Revival style is based loosely on Federal and Georgian house styles, and a
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clear reaction against excessively elaborate Victorian Queen Anne architecture.
Eventually, the simple, symmetrical Colonial Revival style became incorporated into the
Foursquare and Bungalow house styles of the early 20th century.
Colonial Revival houses have many of these features:
· Symmetrical faqade
· Rectangular
· 2to3 stories
· Gable roof
· Overhanging upper story
· Pillars and columns
· Multi-pane, double-hung windows with shutters
· Dormers
· Temple-like entrance: porticos topped by pediment
· Paneled doors with sidelights and topped with rectangular transoms or fanlights
· Center entry-hall floor plan
· Entertaining rooms on first floor and bedrooms on upper floors
· Fireplaces
· Made of brick or wood
· Simple, classical detailing
Subtypes of the Colonial Revival House Style
· Dutch Colonial
Two-story house made of clapboard or shingles with a gambrel roof, flared eaves,
and a side-entry floor plan.
· Spanish Colonial Revival
Low-pitched ceramic tile roof, stucco walls, eaves with little or no overhang,
wrought iron, and windows and doonvays with round arches.
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Example of a Tudor sO~le house, 2009 Bell
The name Tudor suggests that these houses imitate English architecture from the early
16th century. However, most Tudor style homes were inspired by building techniques
fi.om an earlier time. Some Tudor houses mimic humble medieval cottages -- They may
even include a false thatched roof. Other Tudor homes borrow ideas from late medieval
palaces. They may have overlapping gables, parapets, and beautifully patterned brick or
stonework. These historic details combine with Victorian or Craftsman flourishes.
As in many Queen Anne and Stick style homes, Tudor style houses often feature striking
decorative timbers. These timbers hint at -- but do not duplicate -- Medieval building
techniques. In Medieval houses, the timber framing was integral with the structure.
Modern Tudor houses, however, merely suggest the structural framework with false half-
timbering. This decorative woodwork comes in many different designs, with stucco or
patterned brick between the timbers.
In the United States, Tudor styling takes on a variety of forms ranging from elaborate
mansions to modest suburban homes with mock masonry veneers. The style became
enormously popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and modified versions became fashionable
in the 1970s and 1980s.
Tudor style homes usually have these features:
o Decorative half-timbering
° Steeply pitched roof
· Prominent cross gables
· Tall, narrow windows
· Small window panes
· Massive chimneys, often topped with decorative chimney pots
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Exhibit A