These guidelines are designed to provide property owners with assistance on how to maintain or rehabilitate their historic buildings. The guidelines outline appropriate treatment methods and offer practical suggestions on rehabilitation. Recognizing that change is inevitable, the guidelines do not seek nor encourage the strict replication of the past. Rather, this document's goal is to ensure that change is compatible with the Frederick Town Historic District's unique character.
Established in 1745 as a speculative land venture, Frederick has evolved over the years from a small, frontier settlement, to the second largest city in the State of Maryland. Two and a half centuries of growth has turned the City into an important regional center for commerce and industry as well as a convenient commuter location for those working in Washington, DC and Baltimore. Remarkably, because most growth has occurred within the 340 lots originally platted by Daniel Dulany, the Frederick Town Historic District remains relatively intact today and constitutes the largest, contiguous collection of historic resources in the state. As a result, the Frederick Town Historic District contains a broad spectrum of architectural styles that reflect our country’s built history.
In 1741 Daniel Dulany the Elder, an Annapolis lawyer and proprietary official, bought approximately 20,000 acres from Benjamin Tasker. Mr. Dulany sought to resell the land to German settlers. Using a portion of his extensive land holdings, Mr. Dulany created 340 lots along a grid plan. When Mr. Dulany sold these parcels, he stipulated that buyers improve properties by erecting structures within a specified period. After three years the town was so successfully developed that Frederick Town became the county seat for the newly created Frederick County. This act was significant because at the time Frederick County encompassed all of the area west of present Baltimore and Howard Counties to the east to the Maryland border to the west. By the end of the eighteenth century, the City's population had reached 2,606. There were 449 house, seven churches, two markets and numerous schools. Throughout most of the nineteenth century, Frederick Town was the second largest city (Baltimore being the largest) in Maryland.
Frederick Town was home to a number of citizens who played important and influential roles during the early years of the nation's development. In 1773 John Hanson established residency on West Patrick Street. He went on to chair the Second Continental Congress as President of the United States Congress Assembled in 1781. In 1801, Roger Brooke Taney moved to Frederick and established a law practice. He shared law offices at 104 Court Street (which is still standing) with his brother-in-law Francis Scott Key, author of the "Star Spangled Banner". Over the next 21 years, Mr. Taney was a major political force before becoming Maryland's Attorney General and eventually Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. While serving as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Taney administered the oath of office to seven presidents-elect, including Abraham Lincoln. Several important Supreme Court decisions were rendered under his tenure including the Dred Scott decision, which declared slaves ineligible for American citizenship and set aside the Missouri Compromise. Maryland's first elected governor, Thomas Johnson, was also a Frederick resident.
Due to its strategic location at the crossroads of major Native American and early transportation routes, Frederick developed into a regional market center. A turnpike connecting Baltimore with the National Pike in Cumberland passed through the town along Patrick Street. A north-south route linking Gettysburg to Washington, DC also intersected the turnpike in Frederick. The burgeoning rail industry made its home in Frederick when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built a freight depot (Carroll and East All Saints Streets) in the City in 1832. The original passenger station, constructed in 1854, remains today on the southeast corner of South Market and East All Saints Streets.
Frederick played an important role during the Civil War. Several times throughout the war, both Union and Confederate troops marched through the City. Because Confederate sympathies ran high in Annapolis, Frederick was selected as the site for the spring, 1861 session of the Maryland Assembly. During the session, which was held in Kemp Hall (on the corner of North Market and East Church Streets), the state legislature voted to remain in the Union. Churches, public buildings, and private residences were converted into makeshift hospitals for Union and Confederate armies following both the Battles of Antietam and the Monocacy. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier immortalized Frederick resident Barbara Fritchie for her purported public defiance of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.
Industrial and commercial development accelerated after the end of the Civil War and continued into the early twentieth century. Cheap labor, locally available raw materials, and access to major markets made Frederick an attractive location for a variety of industries. Several examples of industrial architecture remain along the District's eastern and southeastern boundaries; however, few pre-twentieth century industrial buildings remain.
The City continued to prosper and grow during the early part of the 20th century. Because growth was limited within Daniel Dulany's original subdivision, new residential development took place outside the boundaries. As a result of limited demolition, the City's historic core remains largely intact. In places where demolition did occur, a few early 20th century commercial structures were constructed, particularly along Market and Patrick Streets.
Recognizing the importance of preserving the built past, the State of Maryland passed legislation in 1968 that enabled communities from across the state to create regulatory historic districts. The legislation also established review bodies and procedures for preserving buildings in those historic districts. Prior to the enactment of state enabling legislation, the City of Frederick recognized the need to preserve the City's rich building stock. As early as 1954, the Frederick City Charter included provisions directed toward historic preservation by establishing an historic district and an advisory commission. In 1954 Frederick become the second city in Maryland and the thirteenth in the nation to establish a local historic district and organize a historic district commission responsible for protecting its architectural heritage. Because of the City's careful stewardship of its built past, Frederick enjoys the largest, contiguous historic district in Maryland.
Despite the rich concentration of historic properties located within the District, the neighborhood is facing increased development pressures as we enter the 21st century. These guidelines will be used as a tool for guiding development while encouraging the reuse of the District’s historic building stock as the City of Frederick grows and evolves.
The Frederick Town Historic District offers a unique collection of building types and styles that span the cultural and architectural history of not just the state of Maryland but also the nation as a whole. Covering about 40 square blocks, the Historic District provides residents and visitors alike with a glimpse of the past. Because replacement is impossible, it is important to preserve and protect the broad collection of buildings that comprise the District for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. The historic and architecturally significant buildings that comprise the Frederick Town Historic District contribute to a sense of place and help make Frederick a unique place to live and visit.
To accomplish the goals set forth in state legislation and to safeguard the City's built heritage, the Frederick Historic District Commission (HDC) was created. The goals outlined in the state enabling legislation are “to safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving sites, structures or districts which reflect elements of cultural, social economic, political, archeological or architectural history; stabilize and improve property values of such sites, structures or districts; foster civic beauty; strengthen the local economy; and promote the preservation and appreciation of sites, structures and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City.” The Commission is comprised of members from the community who have backgrounds in architecture and architectural history, design, history and other related fields, and an interest in the District. Commission members have a deep concern for the District's continued preservation and viability. The eight members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen. The Commission's primary responsibility is to review all exterior changes to any property located within the Historic District. Even if the proposed improvement is not visible from a public right-of-way or alley, the Commission must review the proposal before owners may start any work. In other words, even improvements made to the rears of structures need the HDC's prior approval.
The HDC reviews the following:
All exterior changes including but not limited to:
· Abrasive cleaning methods including high pressure water cleaning and chemical cleaning
· Additions
· Alterations
· Awnings and canopies
· Entrances and doors
· Painting previously unpainted buildings
· Porches and fences
· Rehabilitation
· Siding
· Signage
· Window replacement
· Demolition of entire or parts of buildings
New construction including but not limited to:
· New additions to buildings
· New buildings
· Fences
· Mechanical equipment (including but not limited to antennas, satellite dishes and cable and utility boxes)
· Porches
· Storm windows
· Walls
General maintenance that does not require a replacement or change in material, interior work, and repainting previously painted buildings do not need to be reviewed by the Historic District Commission. Paint color is not reviewed, nor is replacement in-kind (if the element or feature in need of replacement already complies with the Guidelines).
The Commission reviews all exterior changes to District properties regardless of whether or not the proposed changes are visible from a public way. Depending on the nature of the project and its impact on the historic resource, the Commission might exercise a certain degree of flexibility when reviewing such proposals. The City's Historic Preservation Planner can provide assistance on the review process.
Because of the area's historic designation, a design review process has been established to ensure that the buildings do not fall into decay, and to protect the qualities that make the District unique. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide guidance on the appropriate techniques for the rehabilitation of existing buildings, and direction for compatible new infill construction. They provide the Commission with a basis for decision-making. They are to be used as the foundation and springboard for action taken by the Commission. The guidelines recognize that change is inevitable and recommend approaches that are appropriate to the District's unique character. The Commission uses these guidelines and applies the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation when determining whether or not an improvement is appropriate to both a building and the District as a whole.
The guidelines were created to assist residential and commercial property owners and tenants with making appropriate alterations to their historic properties. By using the guidelines, property owners in the Historic District will learn which treatments are appropriate and which actions will be approved by the HDC. The end goal is to provide property owners with a tool for properly caring for their historic properties.
One of the many benefits of the District's historic designation is the availability of tax credits. Both the federal government and the state of Maryland offer tax credits to assist property owners with the rehabilitation of their historic buildings. Rehabilitation must be completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, enabling owners of income producing properties to be eligible for a 20% federal income tax credit. Homeowners and owners of income producing properties could be eligible for a 25% state income tax credit. Chapter XX provides more details on these tax programs. Contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1499 for additional information on these and other tax incentives.
The City of Frederick has professional staff available to answer questions and provide assistance on all aspects of the review and permitting process. For this reason, it is highly recommended to contact the City of Frederick Planning Department before undertaking any project. This will ensure that resources are not unnecessarily expended and approvals are obtained as efficiently as possible. For specific information on materials, please call the Planning Department at 301.600.1499 for a copy of the National Park Service Preservation Brief pertaining to your particular need. The Preservation Briefs are also available through the National Park Service’s website at www.nps.gov. If additional information is needed regarding zoning requirements, please refer to the City of Frederick Zoning Ordinance, which can be obtained through the Planning Department.
Before undertaking any exterior work, including new construction, demolition or rehabilitation of any existing building, HDC approval is required. In order to preserve the defining character of our unique historic district, the cooperation of all property owners in the review process is essential.
The HDC reviews the project plans and makes recommendations for approval or disapproval based on these guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Ultimately, the Commission issues a Certificate of Approval, which is needed before a building permit can be granted or work can begin.
The ordinance creating the HDC requires the Commission to adopt standards to guide decision-making. The Commission has adopted the Secretary of the Interior's Standards (a copy of which is included in the Appendix) as the basis for approving or disapproving proposed changes. When using this manual, it is important to keep in mind that the Secretary's Standards emphasize three basic principles. Depending on the degree of intervention that is required, the principles, starting with the least intrusive, are as follows:
· All character-defining elements should be properly maintained.
· If repair becomes necessary, only those elements in need of repair should be repaired
· If replacement (which should be considered the last course of action) is required, the replacement material should match as closely as possible the original element. If no historical, pictorial or physical documentation exists and the features are missing, they should be replaced with contemporary but compatible elements. The goal is to allow and accommodate appropriate and compatible changes that are necessary for modern needs without creating a false history or one that is based on conjecture.
Removing defining elements, radically altering the building or introducing elements that cannot be documented historically is not appropriate.
Installing an element that is thought to have been original to the building without the proper documentation could create a false sense of history. For example, if a building is missing its cornice and no documentation exists to support its reconstruction, it would be inappropriate to install a new "historic" cornice.
Contemporary yet compatible designs and alterations are the appropriate approach to handling missing elements.
Similarly, some spaces were historically designed to remain open so that views and site lines can be maintained. For those properties whose significance is derived from the open space that surrounds them, these open areas should be maintained and preserved.
At Commission hearings, the HDC formally takes action on a proposal. However, in order for the Commission to take action, the applicant must be present at the meeting. Failure to appear will result in delays with your project.
Action includes:
· Approval as presented
· Approval with modifications
· Continuation of an application (in cases where insufficient information is provided or the applicant and the Commission mutually agree to continue the case. If neither party agrees to a continuance, the Commission must act -- either to approve or deny the proposal.)
· Denial
As stated in the state enabling legislation, the HDC has 45 days from the date a completed application is filed to take formal action. For this reason, it is imperative that all required information is submitted in a timely manner. Failure to provide such information could result in denial of your project.
Upon approving a proposal, the Commission issues a Certificate of Approval, which is required before any permits can be obtained. Permits will not be issued unless a Certificate of
Approval accompanies the permit application.
If an application is denied, the applicant has two options: to appeal the HDC's decision to the circuit court or to wait a year before resubmitting the same proposal
The Certificate of Approval is good for one year. The applicant has one year from the date of the issuance of the Certificate of Approval to commence work. If the expiration date has expired before work has started, the applicant must resubmit to the HDC for approval.
The HDC meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in First Floor Boardroom in City Hall. All meetings are advertised and open to the public. In addition to the regularly scheduled HDC hearings, the Commission also meets once a month to review proposed new signs and to hold informal workshop sessions. At the Sign Committee meeting, the Commission will make suggestions and provide guidance on proposals. The Sign Committee will make recommendations to approve or not approved proposed signage to the full Commission. Formal action (approval, approval with modifications or denial) is taken at the regularly scheduled HDC hearing.
The Workshop provides applicants with the perfect opportunity for Commission feedback and suggestions. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Workshop prior to appearing at the formal HDC hearing. This way, applicants will not spend time and money unnecessarily on proposals that might not be approved by the Commission. No formal action is taken at the Workshop meetings. Applicants should be aware that the Commission might require additional information at the Workshop. This supplemental material must be provided prior to appearing at the regular hearing. In order to adequately assess a project, the Commission might also require attendance at several Workshop sessions before the project can proceed to the regular public hearing.
Both Sign Committee and Workshop meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month. Contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1499 for specific meeting dates and times.
To be considered for review, a completed application (along with 15 copies of the application), supporting documentation and application fees, must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Planner no later than 3:00 p.m. on the date of the previous, regularly scheduled public hearing. Failure to provide all required documentation will result in delays in scheduling the project for review. (Copies of the completed application are provided to each of the 8 Commissioners, the Director of Planning, the Historic Preservation Planner, the Commission's attorney, two copies for the press, the Aldermanic liaison between the HDC and Mayor and Board of Aldermen, and a copy for availability to the public.)
For information on the review and application process and to obtain a schedule of upcoming Commission meetings and hearings, contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1499.
The Frederick Town Historic District streetscape reflects significant trends and concepts of urban planning. Laid out in 1745, the essential pattern of development in Frederick was well established by the early 19th century, and as a result, the streetscape in the Historic District is representative of a 19th century urban environment.
The street plan conforms to the rectangular grid shown on the original 1745 plat. Market Street is a central north-south thoroughfare, with parallel streets from East Street to Bentz Street, intersected by east-west streets from South Street to Seventh Street. The blocks were laid out into residential lots, with a small reservation for open space in the courthouse square. These lots were subdivided in depth and width as the city grew, and a network of mid-block streets and alleys emerged. Lots fronting on Market Street were created in response to commercial growth.
Consistent with the urban nature of the community, most of the buildings are attached to each other and front directly on the sidewalk. A historic pattern of infill development is evident in the varying roof heights and building styles that characterize most of the blocks. A few of the most prominent residential buildings are set back slightly from the sidewalk, with small front yards, sometimes enclosed with iron fencing. Street trees, a characteristic feature of mid-19th century urban environments, continue to shade the sidewalks; however, other plantings are generally absent. Brick-paved sidewalks survive in several areas, as does granite curbing. Front steps and porches project from the facade plane onto the sidewalks; and steps are typically flanked by iron railings. Service buildings and garages are located on the interiors of the blocks. Rear yards are often enclosed with board fences or brick walls.
The streetscape remains generally unbroken by mid-20th century intrusions. Thanks in part to an early awareness of its unique heritage, the City fortunately escaped extensive redevelopment during the 1950's and early 60's, an era when the value of historic resources was not yet widely recognized. There are few visible effects of automobile-related commerce, such as mid-block intersections, driveways, and parking lots. The city's major parking structures are located in the interiors of blocks, where they are effectively screened by existing buildings.
Both new additions and demolitions to existing structures will be evaluated on how they impact the streetscape. Please refer to the chapters on new construction and demolition for additional guidance on these issues.
The unique identity of the Historic District derives from the character of its buildings that offer visual interest and variety within a generally consistent collection of building elements. Historically, a building's design reflected its location and siting on its lot. The elevations facing a street were more elaborately designed and used richer, more decorative detailing.
Based on its location on the building (i.e. street level versus uppermost floor), there was a hierarchy of materials and design used for specific building elements. For these reasons, the Commission will exercise a certain degree of flexibility when considering appropriate treatment methods. Those elements that contribute to a building's overall significance will be more carefully scrutinized than those of lesser significance.
When rehabilitating an existing building in the District, the character defining elements (those building features that make the structure unique and different from other buildings, are characteristic elements of a particular architectural style, technique or architect, or are important in giving a building its unique identity) should be identified, retained and preserved, according to the general guidelines below.
Much of the special character of the historic buildings was achieved through the use of traditional materials and construction techniques. Although new materials and methods can be successfully used in rehabilitation and infill development, every effort should be made to preserve the original character of the District's buildings. This means preserving, repairing and maintaining the original materials where possible, and when replacement is necessary, selecting appropriate new materials that are compatible in quality, size, texture and color.
Even though a few wood frame and log buildings are found in the Frederick Town Historic District, the vast majority of buildings are masonry (brick, stone, stucco and terra cotta). The most common masonry material employed in the District is brick and it appears in a wide variety of colors and types. Stone ranges from the irregular rubble used in the foundations and walls of some of the District's earliest houses to finely dressed limestone facades of early 20th century commercial buildings. A few structures employ an exterior coating of plaster or stucco over brick and some have terra cotta ornamentation. For specific details on masonry repair, consult the appropriate National Park Service Preservation Brief, a copy of which can be obtained at the Planning Department.
· Masonry features that are important in defining the building’s overall character should be identified, retained and preserved. Such elements include but are not limited to walls, cornices, hoodmolds, columns, door pediments, joints and bonding patterns.
· Character-defining masonry elements should be repaired rather than replaced. If replacement becomes necessary, the original should be replicated, matching the original design and materials as closely as possible.
· To prevent water penetration, masonry buildings should be carefully maintained. Water penetration can cause serious and potentially costly damage to masonry either through freezing inside the walls or by causing destructive chemical reactions. For these reasons, it is important to keep roof, flashing, drains, gutters and downspouts in good repair.
· Painting previously unpainted masonry structures or applying stucco and concrete veneers such as Formstone to previously uncoated structures is not appropriate and will not be approved. The application of these materials damages the historic building by altering its character, and such materials are difficult to remove.
· The masonry of pre-20th century buildings was low fired and porous, and therefore was frequently painted. For this reason, removing paint from a building that has been historically painted is not appropriate.
· Buildings constructed prior to about 1910 did not use Portland cement. When repointing becomes necessary, make sure the mortar is lime based and not Portland cement. To find out if there is lime in the mortar, simply remove a loose piece of mortar from an inconspicuous location. Soak the mortar in water. If the mortar softens and crumbles under pressure, it contains lime. If it softens but does not crack, it has Portland cement. The building might have been repointed a number of times and quite possibly with the wrong mortar. For this reason a number of samples might need to be collected from various locations on the building. To make a mortar appropriate for historic buildings, mix: 1 part hydrated lime with 2 parts by volume sand of historic color and enough water for a workable mix.
· Generally, the use of a high lime mortar is recommended for nearly all repointing projects. However, to improve workability and drying, the recipe can be modified with some white Portland cement. Take care that the Portland content does not exceed 20% of the volume of lime and cement combined. Portland cement should be white, never gray or light gray. The color of the new mortar should match that of the existing. See Preservation Brief 2, which is available on-line at www.nps.gov. and in the Planning Department, for additional guidance on how to properly repoint historic masonry.
· Masonry should only be cleaned to arrest deterioration or to remove severe soiling. If it is determined that masonry needs to be cleaned, the gentlest methods possible should be used. Appropriate methods include low-pressure water with soft bristle brushes and mild detergents. Before undertaking the cleaning of any masonry surface, a test patch should be conducted to determine which cleaning method is appropriate.
· Abrasive cleaning techniques such as sandblasting or strong chemical solutions are not appropriate and will not be approved. Such methods can severely damage the masonry surface. High-pressure washing is not an appropriate cleaning method because it can force water into the wall and cause deterioration to both the masonry and the mortar joints. All non-masonry surfaces should be protected prior to cleaning.
· If there is evidence of mortar deterioration, such as disintegrating mortar, cracks in joints, loose bricks, damp walls or damaged plasterwork, repointing might be necessary. Care should be taken to match the original color, material, composition and size and profile of the existing mortar joint as closely as possible.
· Hand tools should be used to remove damaged mortar. Because power tools often damage surrounding brick, their use will not be approved.
· Unless the original mortar contained a high Portland cement content, its use should otherwise be avoided. Portland cement creates a bond that is stronger than the historic mortar and therefore can cause spalling or cracking of the softer historic brick during freeze-thaw cycles.
· If historic masonry features such as door pediments, hoodmolds and the like are missing and no pictorial, historical or physical documentation exists, a new design that is contemporary yet compatible with the size, scale, material and color of the building is the appropriate approach. Recreating a feature without the proper documentation could create a false sense of history and will not be approved.
· Common Bond
· Plemish Bond
· Common Bond with Plenish Headers
· Concave Joint
· Weathered Joint
· Struck Joint
· Flush Joint
· Grapevine Joint
Although the majority of the buildings in Frederick Town are masonry, many wood structures can be found in the District. Such structures include some of the oldest log houses in the City as well as late 19th century wood frame buildings.
· All character-defining elements should be identified, retained and preserved. Such elements include but are not limited to clapboards and German siding, brackets, entablatures, porches, cornices, shutters and balustrades.
· Wood siding should be retained and repaired. If replacement becomes necessary, the new siding should match the original in terms of materials, size, profile and application.
· Proper maintenance and a regular painting schedule will ensure the longevity of wood doors, windows, siding and other character defining elements.
· Resurfacing frame structures with artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles and vinyl or aluminum siding is not appropriate. If a structure has been resurfaced with inappropriate materials, the Commission encourages their removal and the repair of the underlying surfaces. Before undertaking the removal of inappropriate siding materials, a test patch should be conducted to determine if the material could be removed.
· Aluminum and vinyl siding are not appropriate because they obscure character-defining elements; increase deterioration through rot (from moisture infiltration) and from fasteners, thereby making monitoring of the property difficult. The loss of those qualities that make the property unique reduces the property value. For these reasons, the installation of vinyl and aluminum siding is strongly discouraged. In certain circumstances, its use might be considered in new construction when it is used on a secondary elevation and not readily visible from the public way. In general, its installation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
· In cases where character-defining wood elements such as cornices, balustrades or German siding are missing, recreating those features would be appropriate if historical, pictorial or physical documentation exists. If no such documentation is available, a contemporary yet compatible approach in terms of materials, size, scale and color would be the appropriate solution.
· All wood members must be finished, either painted or stained with opaque stain.
The use of pressure treated lumber for repair and replacement pieces, when necessary, is not cost effective. In general, this material is of poor quality -- it has a high moisture content and because of the knots found in pressure treated lumber, it warps rapidly. As with other types of wood, it must be painted or stained to ensure its longevity.
Because it lasts longer than pressure treated wood, the Commission recommends the use of high quality wood for the construction of porches. The use of pressure treated lumber is not cost effective. In general, this material is of poor quality -- it has a high moisture content and because of the knots found in pressure treated lumber, it warps rapidly. No matter the type of wood used, the porch must be painted or stained within six months of construction. This will help ensure the porch’s longevity.
· Bevel siding
· Colonial siding
· German lap siding
Artificial siding should not be used under the following circumstances:
· Over masonry (brick, stone, stucco, terra cotta)
· Over unusual examples of historic siding including but not limited to German, lap, beveled and cove siding
· When the original wood siding is still functional
· When painted wood siding has failed due to poor surface preparation, incompatible paints, or lack of routine maintenance
· To achieve a "maintenance free" house
Many buildings in the Historic District employ decorative metal such as cast iron and sheet metal. At the turn of the 20th century, cast iron was primarily used at the commercial building's storefront level. Cast iron’s capacity to carry weight through the use of slender columns, thereby making massive masonry piers and posts unnecessary, made possible the use of vast expanses of glass to allow light into the ground floor and to entice pedestrians to purchase the wares on display. The modern design influences of the 1930s and 1940s introduced new metals such as porcelain steel, stainless steel and aluminum to the District.
· All character-defining metal components should be identified, retained and preserved. Such elements include but are not limited to cornices, fascias, columns, capitals, window hoods and storefronts.
·
Removal of character-defining metal elements will not
be approved. So doing not only destroys irreplaceable features but also exposes
previously unfinished surfaces that will need to be recovered.
· If metal needs to be repainted, completely remove all rust and loose, flaking and peeling paint. Sandblasting is not an appropriate paint removal method and will not be approved as it causes irreparable damage to the historic fabric. When repainting, the surface should be properly primed, taking care to use a primer compatible with the finish paint.
· Replacement of metal features is appropriate only if the original fabric is damaged beyond repair. Sheet metal made to conform to the profile of the existing work can be fabricated if replacement panels are needed. Intricate details can be reproduced in materials such as fiberglass.
· If the building has metal panels, caulk and fill the joints between the panels to avoid moisture penetration.
· Physical contact between chemically different materials should be avoided to prevent corrosion.
· In instances where character-defining metal elements such as cornices, window hoods, columns and the like are missing and no pictorial, historical or physical documentation exists, a contemporary yet compatible design in terms of materials, size, scale, and color would be the appropriate solution.
Because of its delicate nature, appropriate tools, materials and cleaning methods should be used. For additional information on metal, please refer to Preservation Brief 27.
The unique identity of the Frederick Town Historic District derives from the character of its buildings that offer visual interest and variety within a generally consistent collection of building elements. These elements include features such as windows and shutters, porches, roofs, and cornices.
A window is a glazed opening in the wall of a building that was historically used to admit light and air. It is usually fitted with a frame that supports one or more operable or fixed sash containing panes of glass.
· All existing window assemblies should be preserved, with their defining elements repaired rather than replaced.
· The functional and decorative features of the windows that help define the building's historic character should be identified, retained and preserved. These features include but are not limited to frames, sash, muntins, glazing, sills, heads, hoodmolds, lintels, and paneled or decorated jambs and moldings. Those deteriorated elements that cannot be salvaged can be selectively repaired. If the element is deteriorated beyond repair, it can be selectively replaced.
· Instead of replacing original glass with double-glazing, thermal upgrade should be achieved by installing or replacing inadequate or damaged weather stripping and caulking. The installation of exterior storm windows is another appropriate option for obtaining energy efficiency. Care should be taken to match the mullions, muntins and meeting rails, size and configuration of the storm to the primary window. All storm windows should be painted to match the building's trim color.
· Replacing multi-sashed windows with a single span of glass is not appropriate nor is replacing a multi-light sash with a single span of glass.
· The use of mirrored or tinted glass is not appropriate and is to be avoided.
· If decorative elements are missing, those elements should not be recreated unless strong pictorial, historical or physical documentation exists.
· If replacement becomes necessary due to severe deterioration, the windows should duplicate the existing material, design, configuration and hardware. Replacement windows should have true divided lights with the style and size of the muntins to match the original window. False muntins and vinyl windows are not appropriate. For non-character-defining elevations, leniency might be considered for replacement windows.
· 1/1 double hung
· 2/2 double hung
· 6/6 double hung
· 9/9 double hung
· Muntins are the grooved part of the window that holds the edges of the window panes in a sash, can substantially contribute to the significance of a window.
· Lead paint is found in a majority of older houses and as new regulations are created to address the issue, more and more property owners will have to comply with state and federal regulations. Commonly, property owners will seek HDC approval for wholesale removal of all the windows in a building as an effort to abate the lead paint. However, there are a variety of different methods that can be used to control lead hazards short of window replacement. For this reason, the Commission will not approve window replacement for the sole purposes of abating lead hazards.
· Methods for controlling lead paint include, wet sanding, controlled sanding and using low-temperature heat guns or chemical strippers. If necessary, the sash can be removed for offsite stripping. Encapsulant paints and coatings could also be applied to contain lead-based paint. Sash liners can also be installed to help reduce the friction that is caused when the windows are opened and closed.
· When undertaking lead paint abatement, care should be taken to avoid spreading lead dust throughout the house. In some cases, it might be necessary to hire specially trained and certified professionals.
· For additional information and a more technical discussion on lead paint abatement, refer to the National Park Service Brief 37 and to the HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing. Both documents are available through the Planning Department and on-line at www.nps.gov. or www.hud.gov/lea.
A shutter is a movable cover for a door or window used for privacy or to keep out light or air.
· All existing shutters and their hardware should be retained and preserved.
· Removing existing shutters alters the building's appearance and will not be approved.
· Damaged shutters often can be repaired by selective replacement of deteriorated pieces.
· Installation of shutters in locations where they did not exist historically is inappropriate and will not be approved.
· If replacement becomes necessary, replacement shutters should match the originals in terms of size, scale, detail, thickness and hardware. The replacement shutters should be functional (or appear to be functional) and open flat against the wall. New shutters should match the existing openings and should cover the opening when closed. They should be mounted to the window frame, not the wall. Aluminum and vinyl shutters are not appropriate and will not be approved.
On residential buildings, transoms are defined as a window located above a door; transoms are usually made of glass.
· Transoms, along with their character-defining elements should be preserved. If necessary, the transom’s defining elements including the trim and dressing should be repaired rather than replaced.
· Replacement should be consistent with existing transom windows.
· Transoms should not be covered or filled. Removing the transom and filling it with masonry, glass block or other material is not appropriate.
· If the transom glass requires replacement, a clear pane of glass should be installed. Depending on the style of the building and when it was constructed, the use of stained glass might not be appropriate and might not be approved.
A porch is an exterior appendage to a building that forms a covered approach or vestibule to a doorway.
· All existing porches and their character-defining elements should be retained and preserved. Such elements include the columns, railings, balustrades and posts.
· Porches should be regularly painted and maintained to ensure their longevity.
· In cases where defining elements or the entire porch is missing and no pictorial, historical or physical documentation exists, a design that is contemporary yet compatible to the original in terms of materials, size, scale and profile, would be the appropriate replacement method.
The roof is the surface covering the top of a building. The roofs in the Historic District come in a wide variety of forms. Double-pitched, gable and single-slope shed forms are the most predominate types however, hipped, mansard and other varieties are also found.
Roof form is an important character-defining element in terms of building style and period and for these reasons, it should not be altered or obscured. Retaining and preserving original roofs is important in maintaining a building’s overall historic character.
· Functional and decorative features such as cupolas, cresting, finials, dormers, chimneys and weathervanes; the shape, materials (slate and metal, usually standing seam), size, color and patterning should be preserved.
· Repairs to roofs should include limited replacement in kind, or with a compatible substitute material, of those extensively deteriorated or missing parts of features (if surviving features exist).
· Wood shingles are an appropriate roofing material only if there is pictorial, historical or architectural evidence that they were once in use on the historic building, and if they were typical of a particular style (i.e. log houses). Otherwise, their use is not appropriate.
· In certain circumstances (when used on non-character-defining elevations and the shingles are not visible from the public way), alternative, contemporary, yet compatible materials might be appropriate. The shingles should be flat and uniform in color and texture. These types of shingles will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
· In general, alterations or changes that radically change, damage or destroy the roof's defining historic characteristics are not appropriate. New additions such as skylights, antennas or mechanical equipment should be installed in such a manner as to not be visible, or at least screened from the pedestrian view.
· If new dormers are proposed for character-defining elevations, they should be located on rear and side facing slopes of the roof and not visible from the public way.
· Bubble, faceted or dome skylights are not appropriate and should be avoided if visible on character-defining elevations. On non-character-defining elevations, flat, sloped glazing skylights may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
· If roof replacement becomes necessary, the same materials as the original, or a compatible substitute material, should be used. The replacement roof should match the original composition, size, shape, color, decorative patterning, and texture of the original.
· When replacement of roof features (dormers, chimney, dentils and the like) becomes necessary, the replacement feature should match the original in terms of design and materials. If there is no physical, pictorial or architectural evidence to guide reconstruction of missing features, a contemporary yet compatible approach is the appropriate method for reproducing missing features.
Cleaning gutters and downspouts and replacing deteriorated flashing will help to ensure the roof's longevity. In addition, a qualified professional should inspect roofs and flashing on a regular basis.
For specific information on the proper maintenance, repair and replacement of historic roofing materials, please refer to the appropriate National Park Service Preservation Brief, available at the Planning Department or online at www.nps.gov.
· Dormer roof
· Gable roof
· Mansard roof
· Shed roof
A cornice is a projecting horizontal band or moulding between floors or at the top of a building that helps to protect the windows and walls below from water drips. It is usually designed as part of the parapet to emphasize the roofline or upper silhouette of the building.
· Intact cornices should be preserved. Their defining elements should be repaired rather than replaced.
· Removing all or part of a projecting cornice is inappropriate, as is covering or obscuring the cornice in any manner.
· If a cornice is missing or replacement becomes necessary, the replacement should be based on historical, pictorial or physical evidence. If no such evidence exists, the cornice should be a contemporary design incorporating compatible materials.
The commercial core of Frederick is concentrated along Market and Patrick Streets. Their storefronts are a character-defining element of the building and the District as a whole. The commercial buildings, similar to their residential counterparts, are low in scale and rarely exceed four stories in height. In form, they exhibit qualities typical to commercial architecture, with the storefront level clearly differentiated from the upper floors. Like their residential neighbors, the decorative detailing of these commercial buildings reflects a wide variety of styles popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Commercial structures have many of the same design characteristics and features as residential buildings, however, there are certain character-defining elements that are unique to commercial buildings. These elements include bulkheads, piers, display windows, transoms, entrances, friezes and parapets. Like the details common to residential buildings, these elements should be identified, retained and preserved. Irrespective of the uses occupying the first floor, for those buildings that had a storefront, a storefront character should be maintained in the ground floor of all rehabilitated structures in the District.
The bulkhead is the base that supports the storefront display window. Bulkheads are made in a variety of materials including wood, glass, brick, metal and stone.
· Intact bulkheads should be preserved.
· In general, the bulkheads, including their defining elements and materials, should be repaired rather than replaced. If the bulkheads are constructed of wood, such defining elements include rails, panels and stiles.
· If the bulkheads need to be replaced, the original should be replicated, matching the original design and materials as closely as possible. The use of plywood or rough-sawn wood paneling is inappropriate and inefficient because they deteriorate and need constant maintenance and frequent replacement. Aluminum, vinyl, imitation brick or stone are other materials that are inappropriate and should not be used.
· Where there is very little evidence of their original design and construction, missing bulkheads may be replaced in keeping with the size, scale, style and materials of the building. The replacement bulkhead should be a contemporary and compatible design rather than one that creates an “old” look.
Piers are defined as a vertical member that frames an opening such as a window or door. Sometimes designed as a flat column or pilaster, piers are often used to divide storefronts, display windows or the entrance to a building’s upper floors.
· Intact piers, columns and pilasters should be preserved.
· Defining elements and materials should be repaired rather than replaced.
· Obscuring or otherwise covering piers, columns and pilasters with unsympathetic materials (imitation stone, rough or sawn wood and similar products) is not appropriate and will not be approved. If such coverings exist, they should be removed.
· When replacing a pier becomes necessary, look to the building for guidance on consistent materials, including metal, wood, brick or stone.
Usually extending from the transom to the bulkhead and consisting of panes of glass, the display window is an essential element that helps to define a building’s storefront.
· The display windows should be preserved and character-defining elements and materials, including the dressing, trim and reveals, and mullions should be repaired rather than replaced.
· Under no circumstances should the display windows be filled or concealed.
· Because glass block is incompatible with the original function and design of display windows, it should not be used to fill the window openings in the District.
· If the display window needs replacement, the new window should match the existing in terms of size, material and configuration.
Defined as a window or series of windows located above a door or display window, transoms are usually made of glass.
· Transoms, along with their character-defining elements should be preserved. If necessary, the transom’s defining elements including the trim and dressing should be repaired rather than replaced.
· Replacement should be consistent with existing transom windows.
· If the transom glass requires replacement, it should match the style, design, configuration and size of the original. Depending on the style of the building and when it was constructed, the use of stained glass might not be appropriate and might not be approved.
· Like display windows, transoms should not be covered or filled. Removing the transom and filling it with masonry, glass block or other material is generally not appropriate.
Although many of the entrances in the District are flush with the building facade, recessed entrances (in an alcove used to accentuate the entry to a building or store) are also common.
Entrances are considered to be irreplaceable parts of the District's character and historic fabric.
· The features of a building’s entrance, including pilasters, columns and above-door entablatures, should be preserved and repaired rather than replaced.
· Where the entrance was originally recessed, it should generally be preserved to provide overhead protection from the elements.
· Radically altering a building's entrance will not be approved. If the entrance is recessed, it should remain so. However, the Commission recognizes that in certain circumstances based on modern needs and uses, some alteration of the entrance might be required. Doors that are flush with the sidewalk should be avoided.
· The style and character of the door and its hardware should be compatible with the design of the storefront and the scale of the building. For commercial buildings, doors should also include glass panels to maximize visual access to the interior of the building.
· Using stock residential doors on commercial structures should be avoided and will not be approved.
· Replacement doors should match the building’s original opening and configuration.
·
The piers, transom, frieze and panels help define the
entrance to this residential building.
Such features should be identified, preserved and protected. Doors in the Historic District come ina variety
of shapes and sizes. Regardless of the
type of building, original doors and entrances should be maintained and
protected. Figure B
· Original doors are important in defining the District's character. They should be identified, preserved and repaired.
· For those doors in need of replacement and there is sufficient physical, pictorial or architectural evidence to support their recreation, the replacement should match the original in terms of design and materials.
· If the original doors no longer exist, new doors should be compatible to the size and style of the building.
· Existing openings should not be enlarged or reduced in size to accommodate a new door.
· Steel-covered hollow core doors have a poor finished appearance and often do not come in sizes and styles that are appropriate for historic buildings. For these reasons, they will not be approved in the Historic District.
· Storm doors with leaded glass inserts are not appropriate and will not be approved. The Commission will allow a certain degree of flexibility in the materials used for storm doors as long as the contemporary material conveys the same visual appearance of the traditional material.
· If a building's original hardware exists, it should be identified, retained and repaired.
· If replacement becomes necessary and there is sufficient physical, pictorial or architectural evidence to support its recreation, the new hardware should match the original, in terms of design and materials, as closely as possible.
A frieze is a decorative horizontal band that is frequently combined with a cornice to emphasize the horizontal division(s) of a building facade. In the Historic District, friezes are often used to divide the display windows or transoms of the ground floor from upper story windows and to add to the decorative character of a parapet. Located directly below the cornice, first floor friezes were frequently used for signage and where possible, should continue this practice (see signage guidelines on page 34).
· Intact friezes should be preserved, with their defining elements repaired rather than replaced.
· Removing all or part of a frieze is inappropriate, as is covering or obscuring the frieze in any manner.
· If the original is missing and no physical, pictorial or historical documentation exists to support its recreation, a new frieze that is contemporary and compatible in design and materials can be installed.
· The use of incompatible materials, such as aluminum, to cover or obscure the frieze is inappropriate.
· Installing an awning into the frieze is not appropriate. Instead, awnings should be installed below the frieze.
The parapet is a low protective wall that extends above the roof of a building. Parapets on the front facade of buildings in the District are often ornamented with cornices. Typically made of wood, brick, stone or terra cotta, cornice/parapets were also occasionally made of decorative metal such as pressed sheet metal.
· Existing parapets should be preserved, repaired and restored.
· Only elements that are lost or deteriorated beyond repair should be replaced, matching any new elements as closely as possible to the original.
· Entire replacement of a parapet should be considered only where the parapet is severely deteriorated. The replacement should match the original as closely as possible.
· Proper maintenance is important to ensure the integrity of the parapet and prevent deterioration. Because water damage is the primary cause of deterioration, it is imperative to keep coping and flashing in good repair, to seal openings, to paint wood and metal and to correct deterioration of the masonry wall on a regular basis. These steps will help to minimize deterioration and more costly repairs.
· Period light fixtures are discouraged unless there is documented evidence that a particular fixture was used.
· For those property owners who wish to install period fixtures, the selected fixture should be historically accurate and compatible with the period of the building. The fixture should be appropriate in scale to the building or element to which it is attached.
· Light fixtures should be pedestrian in scale.
Because they can detract from both the building and the District as whole, the location of new heating and cooling equipment and other mechanical devices should be carefully planned in both rehabilitation and new construction projects.
· Rooftop mechanical units, television and radio antennae and satellite dishes should be installed in such as manner as to not be visible from the public way.
· If rooftop mechanical equipment cannot be installed so that it is not visible from sight lines from the street, they should be screened from view, using appropriate materials that are compatible with the Historic District.
· The mechanical equipment should be installed in such a manner that will not destroy or damage a building’s character-defining elements or facade details.
· Electrical, telephone and cable service should be placed underground whenever possible. If this is not an option, they should be placed on side or rear elevations.
· Air conditioning window units are discouraged. Instead, they should be placed to the side or rear of the building and screened with fencing or landscaping.
Accessories to buildings such as the installation of ATMs, satellite dishes and antennas, utility boxes, and vending machines can impact the District’s streetscape and create visual clutter. Individually, the impact of these items can be relatively small. However, when viewed collectively, these inappropriate additions to the buildings in the Historic District can erode the overall historic and architectural cohesiveness that make the District unique.
The HDC reviews exterior work to all buildings, any portion of which is visible from the public way.
In other words, those ATMs proposed for the exterior of a building will require prior HDC approval. Those located inside a building lobby do not require HDC review.
In general, these devices are incompatible with the character of the Historic District. However, the HDC recognizes their necessity and has approved their use in several locations in the District.
· Efforts should be taken to install an ATM in the least visually prominent or architecturally important building façade. The HDC encourages their installation in building recesses and entryways.
· The machine should be installed is such a manner as to cause the least amount of destruction or damage to the building’s architectural elements.
· ATMs should be as small in scale as possible while meeting the necessary banking needs.
· The machines should be lit using the least obtrusive fixtures and lowest light levels possible while ensuring customer safety.
· Litter receptacles are required in the design of all ATMs.
All satellite antennas and dishes require prior HDC approval before they can be installed.
· Such additions are incompatible with the District’s character. For this reason, the Commission strongly recommends that they be installed in the least obtrusive fashion possible.
· Antennas or dishes should be located on the least visually prominent area of a structure.
· To reduce their visibility, antennas should be installed as far back from the building’s roofline as possible. For those installed on buildings with parapets, they should be mounted so that they are partially or completely obscured behind the parapet wall.
· The Commission encourages the smallest size possible consistent with the requirements for reception and transmission.
· In some zoning districts, antennas and dishes serving residential buildings cannot exceed 10’ in length or width. Additionally, they cannot extend more than five feet above the maximum allowable building height. For this reason, applicants are encouraged to consult the Zoning Ordinance before installing any dishes or antennas.
· If a satellite dish or antenna must be installed on a significant façade, it should be screened with fencing materials or vegetation. The satellite dish company might be able to offer synthetic materials made to match the existing primary material used on the property. Contact the satellite dish provider for details and specifics.
· Satellite dishes and antennas should be painted to match predominate building colors in order to limit visibility from a public way.
In general, the Commission will not approve the installation of utility boxes such as gas and electric meters or cable boxes on the primary façade of a building. Such items should be installed on secondary facades. The HDC will not approve removing a utility box from a secondary façade and moving it to a prominent elevation.
In cases where the boxes are visible, they should be painted to match the building.
All vending machines installed in the public way must be approved by the Historic District Commission.
These items are incompatible with the Historic District and adversely impact the unique quality of the District’s streetscape. It is the Commission’s policy not to approve new vending machines.
Historic buildings pose unique challenges for providing access to the disabled. Many historic buildings have steep and narrow steps, constricted doorways and hallways, and complex room layouts that might cause difficulty in bringing these properties into compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
ADA requirements should be met in such a manner as to cause the least amount of damage to historic buildings while providing adequate access to the disabled. The Historic District Commission recognizes the importance of equal access and encourages creative solutions that provide the disabled access to historic buildings while protecting the District’s historic fabric.
The National Park Service has a series of informational brochures that provide guidance on complying with ADA requirements. Please contact the Planning Department at 301.600.1499 or visit the Park Service website (www.nps.gov) to obtain a copy of Preservation Brief 32.
Another source of information on ADA compliance is the United States Department of Justice. The Justice Department maintains a toll-free, telephone assistance hotline to answer basic questions about ADA requirements. Although the information provided through the telephone service is helpful in interpreting the ADA, it is not authoritative. The Department of Justice hotline can be reached at 800.872.2253.
The Historic District has evolved over time and as the 21st
century continues, the District will continue to develop. By introducing new elements to the City's
streetscape and skyline, new construction has the potential to positively
impact the District's character. New
construction in historic districts poses a variety of unique challenges. Because of their impact on the neighborhood
in which they are located, such projects must be handled sensitively. New structures should take design cues from
their older and historic neighbors. The
design of a new building should clearly identify it as a product of its modern
era while at the same time exhibiting respect to existing design
traditions.
There is a fine balance between designing a modern, contemporary building that clearly distinguishes itself from the surrounding historic resources and incorporating design themes that are common to the District. The densely developed nature of the Historic District requires that new construction be considered in relation to the context of the other structures on the block. The guiding principle for new construction is that it should recall historic themes, style, scale and detailing without exactly duplicating any one particular element. Regardless of whether or not an applicant proposes an entirely new structure or an addition to an existing historic building, the same standards apply.
There is a two-hearing process for all major new construction projects in the District. Smaller construction projects such as a minor addition to an existing building or the construction of an accessory structure such as a shed or garage might not require two hearings.
Photographs of the site, facade elevations, materials and scaled drawings will be required, as well as possible additional information
For any new construction project, the following minimum information must be presented:
1. Written scope of work
2. Photographs of the site and its surrounding streets
3. Facade elevations
4. Materials samples
5. Measured drawings
For major construction projects, the following additional information might be required:
· Scaled drawings including street elevations that show the proposed structure in context with other buildings and all facing streets.
· A scaled model, three-dimensional modeling or axonometric drawing showing the proposed building in context.
At the first hearing, the Commission will review the project in general terms, and in the second hearing, the Commission considers the details and specifics of the project. A Level I application consists of a general proposal as determined by the Commission, but is not limited to the following items:
Location
Footprint
Massing
Height
Setback
Scale
Facade
Roof forms
Materials
Plot plan
After final approval of all Level I items has been granted by the HDC, a Certificate of Approval will be issued. A Level II application will only be considered after the approval of all Level I items has been granted.
Level II applications will consist of further details of all Level I items in addition to details regarding the following:
Texture
Openings
Lighting
Landscaping
Site plan
Final articulation
Detailed facade/elevations
Fenestration
Upon obtaining a Level II approval, a Certificate of Approval will be issued.
For major construction projects, approvals from other commissions and review bodies might be required. Some projects, due to the nature of the proposed work, might require a zoning variance. In such cases BZA approval should be the first step in the process.
Planning Commission approval, if required, and HDC approval can be obtained concurrently.
If a final site plan approval from the Planning Commission is required, that review process should occur between the Level I and Level II HDC approvals.
Before undertaking any new construction project, whether it is an addition to an existing structure, the construction of an accessory structure or an entirely new, large scale building, the applicant should consult the City's Zoning Ordinance to ensure that the proposal complies with all applicable zoning requirements. Contact the City of Frederick Planning Department at 301.600.1499 for a copy of the Ordinance.
For new buildings, the following elements should be addressed in design development.
Buildings in the District represent a broad range of styles
with no singular style predominating. Therefore, no one particular style is
mandated. Designs should complement and
reflect the architectural heritage of the City. New designs should respect the District's context while
expressing its contemporary nature.
Abstracting historic design elements is the recommended course of action
rather than introducing design elements that are not commonly found in the
District. Creating a false historical
appearance by strictly reproducing past architectural forms should be
avoided. New structures should not directly
copy a particular style or element nor should they create an appearance with no
historical basis.
Rhythm can mean a patterned repetition or alternation of
formal elements or motifs in a similar or modified form. Like rhythm in music or poetry, streetscapes
have characteristic patterns that are created by the siting, spacing and
proportions of buildings, the organization of their facades and their
architectural details. These patterns
or rhythms should be analyzed and incorporated into designs for new
construction.
Landscaping, fences and other site features should be
compatible to the surrounding streetscape in materials and design.
New driveways, parking areas, and garages should be located on the site so that they are not visible from a public way. In cases were the parking areas and garages are visible from the public right-of-way, they should be screened with plantings.
Paving materials and design should be appropriate to the
Frederick Town Historic District.
Sidewalks and curbs must utilize materials and construction techniques
specified by the City of Frederick.
Contact the City Engineer at 301.600.1443 for additional information on
City standards.
Although there are a few exceptions, for example, on Council
Street and Clarke Place, most of the existing buildings in the Historic
District are built directly on the sidewalk.
New construction should maintain the setback line that has been
established on the street.
The spacing between a new building and existing structures
should reflect the pattern of spacing between other buildings along the
blockface.
The spatial relationship between existing buildings will
suggest an appropriate width and spacing for new construction. The historic range of building widths is an
important guide in determining an appropriate width for infill structures.
The existing building widths will suggest a model for
dividing the facade and massing of large new buildings into a series of smaller
visual units.
The buildings in the District have a variation of heights
that falls within a certain range, with the eave or cornice lines of existing
buildings defining the range of heights.
Most residential buildings are two or three stories tall, while some
commercial structures are as tall as five or six stories in height.
New construction should maintain Frederick Town’s pedestrian
scale. New buildings, either
residential or commercial, should maintain the height established by
neighboring structures and the surrounding context. The first floor height and the floor-to-floor height of existing
buildings are important factors in defining an appropriate scale and height for
new construction. In historic buildings,
the floor-to-floor heights ranged between 8’ – 20’. New buildings should maintain this height range. Typical floor-to-floor heights of new
buildings in the District should range between 12’ and 13’.
They should only be one story (a story is defined as 13’)
taller than neighboring structures.
If a proposed building is proposed to be more than one story
taller than its neighbors, the design must incorporate setbacks at the upper
levels.
Applicants should keep in mind that the height of any new
building must also comply with all height restrictions as detailed in the
Zoning Ordinance.
Mechanical equipment could have an impact on a building’s
height and how that height is perceived.
The placement of mechanical equipment will be reviewed by the
Commission. Depending on their size and
placement, mechanical service units may be counted as part of the overall
building height. It should be
installed in a manner which is as unobtrusive as possible.
Scale is defined as a certain proportionate size or degree
that is judged in relation to some standard or point of reference. The size and proportions of doors, windows,
and decorative elements such as cornices, hoodmolds, columns and friezes are
related to each other, to the spaces between them, and to the observer. A complex series of visual measurements that
is mostly carried out subconsciously results in an impression of scale.
New construction should be consistent in scale with
surrounding buildings and their decorative elements.
The pedestrian nature of Frederick Town is what gives it its
special character. New buildings should
maintain the District’s human scale.
A building's mass is defined as the enclosed volume that
constitutes a building's exterior form.
Most of the structures in the Frederick Town Historic District comprise
a dominant mass fronting on the street, with subordinate forms of varying
heights to the rear. New construction
should continue this pattern of primary and secondary masses.
Large projects should be divided into a series of smaller
elements that are compatible with the scale of the surrounding historic
structures.
The facades of new construction projects should be
compatible with historic buildings in their proportions and their relationship
between solids (the wall area) and voids (openings). Windows and door openings should correspond to the rhythm and
proportion, size and detailing of other such openings that exist on the street.
Generally, the openings of existing buildings suggest a
strong vertical orientation. New
construction should follow this established pattern. The orientation of openings can play an important role in
defining a building’s bulk and mass.
For example, a tall building could incorporate horizontal openings to
make it appear shorter. Conversely, a
lower scaled building could appear taller by employing vertical openings.
For new structures located within the commercial core, a
strong storefront element should be incorporated into the design. The primary facade should be organized into
two clearly defined design components:
the upper facade and the street level storefront.
Side and rear elevations that are visible from the street to
pedestrians should be designed to present an attractive, organized appearance
and to complement the front facade. Cues should be taken from surrounding buildings and their context
to determine if a storefront design is appropriate at the ground level.
Masonry including stone,
terra cotta, and brick, wood and various types of metal are used in the
District. Materials
for new construction should be selected from among those that are typical of
surrounding buildings and should be compatible with existing materials in
texture, size, shape, color and scale.
The scale of the
building materials used should respond to the scale of the proposed building.
Alternative new materials should be compatible with the
physical qualities of the historic materials that give the District its unique
character.
For specific information on materials, please contact the
Planning Department for a copy of the National Park Service Preservation Brief
pertaining to your particular need.
Texture refers to both a building's physical and visual
qualities created by its materials and details. Visual texture is defined as the combination and interrelation of
colors and tonal values whereas tactile texture refers to the physical,
dimensional make up of a surface, apart from its color or form. Existing buildings will provide guidance for
creating texture appropriate to the Historic District.
Roof profiles are an important character-defining element of the Frederick Town Historic District. A variety of styles and forms are common, including gable, shed, hip and flat roofs with many buildings in the District incorporating complex roofscapes. Roofs are comprised of the primary form of the main roof and the secondary form of the roofs found on additions, porches, entries, bays and projections.
Such forms are an important defining element and their incorporation into the design of new buildings is appropriate. The roofs of new buildings should conform to those found elsewhere in the neighborhood. They should recall the form, orientation and height of other roofs.
Many of the smaller gable-roofed buildings in the Historic District have dormer windows. Including such elements into a contemporary design is appropriate, however, they should remain a minor design feature and should not dominate the roof slope and elevation. The new dormer should be aligned with the facade windows or located between the openings below. The pitch of the dormer should repeat that of the main roof. Shed dormers may be appropriate for roof slopes that are not visible from the street. If such dormers are to be used in a new construction project, they should be included in secondary elevations.
Because skylights disrupt the continuity of the roofscape along the street, they should be designed with special care. If such elements are necessary, they should be located on secondary elevations that are not visible from the public way and should be carefully integrated into the overall roof form. Flat, sloped skylights are appropriate because their visual impact is minimized. Dome or bubble type skylights are not appropriate and will only be approved on a case-by-case basis. The total skylight area should be limited to 10% of the corresponding floor area. The proportion of the skylight units should be comparable to those of the facade units.
The existing roofing material that is found on neighboring
structures should be used as a guide for selecting an appropriate material for
new construction.
Wood shingles are not recommended as a roofing material for
new construction. Thick, rustic wood
shakes or synthetic materials that imitate wood are also not appropriate.
Contemporary additions to historic buildings require special
care and sensitivity in design.
Walls and fences help define and screen parking lots, yards
and walkways. They can become important
landscape features of the Historic District.
A variety of fence styles and types were found historically in the
District.
The special identity of the Historic District is as much a
function of the streetscape elements of the sidewalk and the width of the
street as it is of the historic buildings.
Although major streetscape improvements are carried out by the City,
individual building owners and tenants contribute to the design of a safe,
attractive, visually integrated streetscape through paving and planting details
of the sidewalk adjacent to their properties, outdoor cafes, and sidewalk
oriented building elements such as awnings and signage.
Street trees contribute greatly to an attractive and
comfortable pedestrian environment. The
trees along the sidewalk provide a subtle buffer between the pedestrian and
vehicular zones. Trees should be
selected for their foliage and flowering characteristics and must be selected
from a list of City-approved trees.
When planting street trees, tree grates and guards should be installed
to provide protection for the trees.
Contact the Department of Public Works at 301.600.1440 for the list of
approved plantings and their location.
A tree permit is required prior to planting.
Decorative paving materials can help break up the monotony
of the sidewalk and create visual texture.
Brick, stone and patterned concrete used in decorative patterns can add
visual interest to the public way.
Tinted materials are not appropriate to the Historic District and their
use will be discouraged. Paving materials
that differ from the City standard must be approved by the Historic District
Commission prior to their installation.
Contact the Engineering Department at 301.600.1443 for City standards on
paving materials.
Off-street parking lots break up the uniformity of the
District's streetscape. For this
reason, they should be designed so that they are located at the rear of a
building. Based on the size of the lot,
the screening requirements vary. The
materials and design of the parking lot must be approved by the HDC prior to
its construction. Contact the Planning
Department at 301.600.1499 for specifics on screening and City requirements.
Signage should not obscure or overwhelm existing
architectural details. The size and
location of the sign should be consistent and compatible with the architecture,
scale and design of the building.
In broad terms, a sign is defined by the City of Frederick
as any device, structure, painting or visual image designed to be seen by the
public. Signage can incorporate
graphics, symbols, letters or numbers for the purpose of advertising or
identifying any business products or services.
Projecting and hanging signs in the Historic District cannot
extend more than 30” into the public right-of-way. The bottom of the sign must be at least 8’ from the ground.
The size of all signs is ultimately regulated by the
HDC. Generally, the Zoning Ordinance
allows for two square feet of signage per linear foot of building frontage. (For specifics on the maximum allowable
signage, contact the Planning Department.)
The Commission considers the sign’s style, impact on the
building, the placement and other esthetic factors when reviewing signs. For these reasons, the Commission might not
approve a sign that maximizes the size allowable under the Zoning Ordinance.
The chapter on signs in the City of Frederick's Zoning
Ordinance governs all signs in the District.
The ordinance specifies the size, type and placement allowed. For a copy of the signage provisions,
contact the City of Frederick's Planning Department at 301.600.1499.
City permits are required for all signs, following approval
from the HDC.
Signage comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and types,
including:
These types of signs are those that are applied directly
onto a placard or panel. This placard
is then attached to the wall in architecturally open spaces.
Usually applied directly to a display or transom window, an
awning valence or the building itself, these signage types are used on
buildings lacking space designed specifically for signage such as a sign
frieze.
These two-sided signs are similar to panel signs. Attached to the building so that they stand
away from the building's surface, in many cases they are installed at a right
angle.
In terms of materials, size, and color, the HDC encourages
creative, diverse and unique approaches to signage. Signs that graphically reflect or represent a business are
encouraged. However, the proposed sign
should not overwhelm or obscure architectural elements and details.
Attachment Of Projecting Sign
If a projecting sign is being installed, it should be done
in such a manner as to prevent damage to historic fabric. This can be accomplished by installing
attachments into mortar joints rather than into the brick or stone.
Lettering and graphics can be painted or carved onto the background of the primary materials. All wood signs should be painted. In most cases natural stained or varnished finishes that create a rustic appearance are not appropriate and should be avoided.
Indirect light, such as the installation of gooseneck
fixtures, can be used to illuminate signs and draw attention to the surrounding
facade. Flashing or blinking lights are
not appropriate for use on signs and should be avoided.
Internally illuminated cabinet signs are generally
discouraged, as are neon “Open” signs.
The Commission encourages the use of building directories
for multi-tenanted buildings instead of the installation of a sign for each
tenant.
Properly maintain signs after installation to minimize
deterioration and more costly repairs.
Few historic signs remain in the Historic District. Although some mosaic and tile sidewalk signs
can be found, the majority of historic signs are typically in the form of
painted signs on the building.
Often found in 19th and early 20th century commercial and
residential architecture, awnings are simple, inexpensive but highly effective
devices for focusing attention on a building's storefront or provide shelter
from the elements. They are a vehicle
for introducing color, variety, and interest to the streetscape. In addition, they create a strong horizontal
element that can be repeated along the blockface to make a group of buildings
'read' as a unit.
The overwhelming majority of buildings in Frederick Town
contribute to the District's significance.
Any time a contributing, historic building is demolished, a
vital and tangible link to the City's past is lost, never to be replaced. The demolition of structures in the District
is strongly discouraged because the loss of a building diminishes the
neighborhood's sense of place and decreases livability. Once a historic
building is demolished, an important educational tool has been removed. Historic buildings yield important
information on historic figures and events and construction techniques from the
past. Future generations will be unable
to make vital connections to the past if historic resources are lost forever.
Individual buildings in the District will be evaluated based
on their contribution to the District as a whole. Contributing buildings must meet one or more of the standards
described above.
Upon determining the structure’s significance, the Commission may take one of two actions.
A site plan drawn to appropriate scale illustrating the entire
site as it presently exists and any resource to be removed. The site plan must cover the reference
property plus 75 feet in all directions outside the property lines.
A series of 8' x 10' images in an approved photographic
format showing the existing resources in relation to all adjacent properties
located within a 75' radius of the referenced property as viewed from all
public rights of way.
A series of 8' x 10' images, in an approved photographic
format, of all elevations of the resource to be removed.
A series of 8' x 10' images, in an approved photographic
format, documenting any historic resources that would be adversely affected by
the proposed demolition, as determined by the Commission.
A demolition application will not be deemed complete until
all required material is provided.
Failure to provide this information could result in delays in hearing
your request. For this reason, it is
imperative that all material is provided by the appropriate deadline.
At the second hearing, the Commission will take formal
action to approve or disapprove the proposed demolition. Again, the Commission will review the
proposed replacement project, however, no formal action on the replacement plans
will be taken until the subsequent hearing.
At the third hearing, the Commission will take formal action
on the replacement project.
When considering the demolition of a part of a building, the
Commission will apply the same standards and steps as discussed above. In other words if the proposed demolition
consists of removing an element such as an incompatible alteration, do not
contribute to the building’s significance or is necessary for a new addition, Steps
1 and 2 might be the only steps required.
If however, the Commission determines that the proposed partial
demolition consists of the removal of contributing features, the Commission
might require additional hearings.
All plans for new construction will be based on the
requirements as detailed in the New Construction section of the
Guidelines.
Hardship occurs when a property cannot be put to reasonable
beneficial use. The hardship request
applies to contributing buildings in the District. The following additional information will be required by the
Commission to assist it in the decision making process.
The hearing will not be scheduled until ALL the information
has been provided and the Commission has determined that it has sufficient data
to render a decision. It is the
applicant's responsibility to prove financial hardship. The Commission will determine whether the
building can be put to reasonable beneficial use without the approval of
demolition. In the case of income producing
properties, the Commission will also consider whether the existing building
will yield a reasonable economic return.
The following material will be required for ALL requests to
demolish a contributing structure:
The Commission may request additional information specific
to the project.
The following financial proof of the ability to complete the
replacement project, including but not limited to, must be submitted:
Incentives for Preservation
A variety of incentives are in place at the local, state and
federal levels to encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties.
The State of Maryland adopted legislation (Article 81.9C of
the Annotated Code of Maryland) to encourage the renovation and rehabilitation
of historic properties located in historic districts. The credit provides property tax relief from the increased
assessment resulting from improvements.
To receive the credit, the taxpayer must apply for the
credit each of the five years the credit is allowable. The application must be made by October
1. Each year's tax credit is based on
the current assessed value of the improvement only. The initial year of the tax credit will be allowed starting with
the first complete fiscal year that the assessment is billed.
If the subject improvement is demolished either purposely or
accidentally, the tax credit will cease.
Any pro-rated refund of taxes will be subject to a reduction as the
result of pro-rating the tax credit allowed.
Contact the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Planner
at 301.600.1499 or the County Commissioners Office at 301.600.1100 for more
information on tax credits.
Administered by the Maryland Historical Trust, the Heritage
Preservation Tax Credit Program provides Maryland income tax credits equal to
25% of the qualified capital costs expended in the rehabilitation of a
"certified heritage structure".
A certified heritage structure can include structures that
are:
The credit is available for both owner-occupied residential
property and income-producing property.
The rehabilitation expenditure in a 24-month period must be
substantial. In other words, the
improvements must exceed $5,000 for owner-occupied residential property and the
greater of the adjusted basis (the value of the property minus the value of the
land) of the structure or $5,000 for all other properties. The rehabilitation must conform to the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and must be certified by the
Maryland Historical Trust.
If the amount of the tax credit exceeds the tax liability of
the taxpayer for the year in which the credit is first claimed, the state of
Maryland will issue a refund for the remaining amount of the credit. The credit can be combined with local and
federal incentives.
It is strongly recommended that property owners contact the
Maryland Historical Trust prior to starting any work. Because projects are reviewed in their entirety and not on a
piece-by-piece basis, failure to obtain prior approval from the Trust could
jeopardize an owner’s ability to claim the tax credits. The Trust’s Office of Preservation Services
can be reached at 410.514.7600 for information on the Heritage Preservation Tax
Credit or to obtain a Heritage Preservation Certification Application. Visit the Trust's website at www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net
for additional information.
The Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit is very similar to the
State of Maryland's Heritage Preservation Tax Credit. In order to qualify for the federal rehab tax credit, the
property must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places or be
certified as contributing to the significance of a registered historic
district. To take advantage of the 20%
federal income tax credit for expenses related to the rehabilitation, the
property must be income producing. In
other words, owner-occupied residential properties do not qualify for the
federal rehab tax credit.
The project must follow the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation to ensure that the property's significance is
maintained through the preservation of historic materials and features. The cost of the proposed rehabilitation must
exceed $5,000 or the adjusted basis of the building (the value of the property
minus the value of the land), whichever is greater.
Additional information on the federal rehab tax credit as
well as an application can be obtained from the National Park Service
website. Visit the site at http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/tax/index.htm. The Maryland Historical Trust (410.514.7600)
can also be contacted for a copy of the application.
It is strongly recommended that the application be submitted
prior to the start of rehabilitation work.
The application will be reviewed by the Maryland Historical Trust and a
recommendation made to the National Park Service. The National Park Service Technical Preservation Services staff
makes the certification decisions for the Secretary of the Interior.
The Maryland Historical Trust may be contacted at
410.514.7600 or www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net.
Some projects in the Historic District will also need to be
reviewed by other City agencies. Please
contact the Planning Department at 301.600.1499 to discuss your project. The Planning Department staff will help
identify which other agencies, if any, might also need to approve your project.
In general any new construction project, other than
single-family homes, must be reviewed by the Planning Department staff or the
Planning Commission. Larger new
construction projects that include more than 15 dwelling units, occupies more
than 11,000 square feet or alters existing parking and traffic circulation
requires review by the Planning Commission.
However, depending on the nature and scope of the project, other factors
might necessitate Planning Commission review.
Contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1792 to determine
if your project will require review by the Planning Commission.
If a proposed project does not conform to the existing
zoning ordinance, the applicant might need to seek a variance from the Board of
Zoning Appeals (BZA). Applications to
create a commercial use in a historic structure also require BZA approval. If a variance is needed for your project,
BZA approval should be obtained prior to appearing before the HDC.
This standing advisory committee of the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen reviews improvements, both private and public, which affect the public
right-of-way. Any new construction or
rehabilitation project that affects the public way and cannot meet City
Standards will require approval from the Streets and Sanitation Committee. If your project requires approval from this
Committee, it should be the first stop in the approval process. Because it is important to determine whether
or not a proposed improvement will impact City services, these concerns should
be addressed early in the process. Any
recommendation from this committee must be confirmed by the full Board of
Aldermen.
All projects that impact city owned property or
infrastructure require approval from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Upon receiving approval from the Mayor and
Board of Alderman, the project can proceed to any other remaining commissions
for the necessary approvals.
In some cases, concurrent reviews by the various committees
are possible. The Historic Preservation
Planner can help navigate the various review bodies and help determine what
approvals are necessary and which commission approval is required first. Contact the Planning Department at
301.600.1499 for further details.
1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining 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 alterations 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 from 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 of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the original 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 from 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.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
The Frederick Town Historic District contains examples of a wide variety of styles of nineteenth and early twentieth century residential and commercial architecture, including Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Neoclassical Revival styles. These various building types are united by consistent materials, scale and rhythm. Most of the buildings in the Historic District are constructed of brick or stone. A few frame or log houses are found as well. The buildings are typically attached, two to five bays in width and two to four stories in height, with gable or shed roofs. The streetscape within the District is continuous and a historic pattern of infill development is reflected in the variety of architectural styles that often characterizes a given block. The overwhelming majority of buildings and structures within the Frederick Town Historic District are considered to be contributing to the District's significance by virtue of their age and architectural character.
Some of the buildings that comprise the Historic District are academic, textbook examples of their particular style, however, the vast collection of buildings in the District are vernacular interpretations of high-style, architect-designed structures. Through their decorative detailing, these vernacular buildings reflect the influences of popular styles.
The character-defining elements that define a building's style are particularly important to preserve and should receive special consideration in planning for maintenance or rehabilitation. The following paragraphs and illustrations provide an introduction to the historical background and distinguishing features of the architectural styles most commonly represented in the Frederick Town Historic District. Further information can be found in several useful guides to architectural styles listed in the bibliography.
Many of the early buildings (circa late 18th century and early 19th century) in Frederick embody vernacular architectural forms characteristic of the Western Maryland region. Their forms are traditional and their decorative detailing generally reflects architectural styles that were popular at the time. Such styles include Georgian and Federal styles of the turn of the 19th century, mid-19th century Greek Revival, and Italianate influence of the post-Civil War period.
Houses of the Federal period, constructed during the first years of the new republic, retained the general form of their Georgian predecessors, but were characterized by more delicate decorative detailing that often incorporated elements derived from early Greek and Roman design. English architect Robert Adam is credited with popularizing the style. In Frederick, the Federal Style is represented by a broad range of buildings, from the mansions on Council Street to many smaller, attached buildings found throughout the District.
Character defining elements:
· symmetrical facade; 2, 3 or 5 bays wide
· 2- or 2-1/2-stories in height, sometimes with raised basements,
· gable roof; large, formal examples often with stepped "top hat" dormers, corbelled brick cornices, or wooden cornices with dentils
· modillion entrances with rectangular transoms or elliptical fanlight above doors
· classical surround sash windows, usually with 6 lights (panes) per sash
· three-part window (central 6/6 sash flanked by narrow sidelights) openings are topped with wooden or stone lintels, or with flat brick jack arch design elements including swags, garlands, urns, and geometric patterns.
The Greek Revival style spread rapidly across America between 1830 and 1850. Two factors helped increase the style's popularity. Archaeological excavations during this period increased public awareness of ancient Greece, and citizens of the new American republic sympathized with modern Greece's involvement in its war for independence (1821-30).
Character defining elements:
· low-pitched gable, hipped, or shed roof; gable may face front
· portico or recessed entrance; pilasters, square posts or classical columns
· entrance with transom and sidelights
· broad frieze below cornice, sometimes with rectangular attic windows
· trim incorporates geometrical forms, "bull's eye" and foliated motifs
Frederick has several prime academic examples of the style, such as Winchester Hall, 111-113 Record Street, and 115 West 2nd Street. Many other houses throughout the District represent vernacular expressions of the Greek Revival, with transomed entrances and plain wooden lintels above window openings.
The Italianate style developed as part of the Picturesque movement, which was a reaction against classical formality. The style has two basic forms. Italianate buildings based on Renaissance models are rectangular in plan with symmetrical facades, while the "Italian Villa" type is based on the designs of rural farmhouses in Italy and are characterized by an asymmetrical L- or T-shaped floor plan with a tall tower.
Character defining elements for both versions of the style:
· low-pitched gable or hipped roof (attached buildings may have shed roofs)
· eave cornice with decorative brackets
· walls are given a smooth finish; finely coursed brickwork with narrow mortar joints is typical; cut stone and stucco were also used
· enriched detailing such as string courses and quoins
· tall, narrow windows, often with round-arched heads
· windows may have elaborate frames, hoods, bracketed lintels, or pediments
· porch or arcade may span the facade, or a small portico may define the entrance
Two prime residential examples of the Italianate style are found in Frederick: the Trail Mansion and 101 East Church Street. The style was also popular for commercial buildings in downtowns across America in the late 19th century. The detailing and ornamentation are similar to those used in residential buildings.
The Second Empire style is most readily recognized by the characteristic mansard roof; a hipped roof of double pitch. The lower slopes of the roof, just above the building walls, are steeply pitched to create a usable upper story lighted by dormer windows. This roof form is named for the 17th-century French architect Francois Mansart. The style become popular in France during the
Second Empire (1852-70), and spread to the United States in the 1860's.
Character defining elements:
· generally symmetrical, rectangular in plan and 2 1/2 stories high
· may have a projecting entrance mansard roof, usually covered in slate; sometimes slates of various shapes and colors are used to create intricate patterns
· lower slopes of roof may be straight, convex, or concave
· windows may be topped with semicircular or segmental arches, and often have bold molded heads
Buildings reflecting the influence of this style are uncommon in Frederick; 326-330 North Market Street is one of the few examples.
The Queen Anne style is derived from medieval English architectural forms.
Character defining elements:
· asymmetrical plan and massing
· variety of surface treatments, textures, and colors
· elaborate decorative trim, shingles and brickwork
· irregular roof line with multiple steep gables
· conical-roofed tower at corner
· facade may have various projecting bays
· row houses often have second-story oriel windows
· porch may span facade, sometimes wraps around comer of building
· double-hung windows often have multiple small lights in upper sash; sometimes forming a border around a single large pane. These small lights may be either clear or include colored stained-glass windows and transoms.
Later Queen Anne houses usually appear somewhat simplified in comparison with earlier examples of the style. They retain the characteristic irregular massing, but their surface decoration tends to be less elaborate. The houses along Clarke Place, developed in the 1890s, represent excellent examples of this style.
The American Centennial of 1876 prompted a revival of interest in the nation's heritage. As a result, architects began to study the building forms and detailing of the Colonial period. The return to these historical precedents was partly a reaction against the unrestrained exuberance that characterized Victorian design. Colonial Revival buildings often combine turn-of-the-century building forms with decorative elements derived from eighteenth-century architecture. This detailing is often over-scaled, and sometimes incorporates features of the Queen Anne style, whose period of popularity overlapped that of the Colonial Revival.
Character defining elements:
· generally symmetrical facade, 2- or 2-1/2 story height
· gabled, hipped, or gambrel roof form
· masonry or frame construction
· brick may be laid in Flemish bond pattern
· frame buildings covered with wood siding in bevel profile, or with wood shingles
· multi-pane sash windows
· porches may have heavy tapered columns and balustrades with square or turned balusters
· entrance located in the center of the facade, with transom and sidelights (often of leaded glass)
The Frederick Town Historic District contains a number of noteworthy Colonial Revival Buildings including 110-112 North Court Street.
The decorative elements characteristic of the Colonial Revival were derived from domestic architecture, but early 20th century commercial buildings often utilized such detailing as well. These features included red brick in a Flemish bond pattern; contrasting belt courses; quoins, lintels, and keystones; Tuscan columns; multi-paned sash windows; and detailing incorporating pediments, complex mouldings, modillions and dentils. An example of a relatively large Colonial-influenced commercial building in Frederick is 31 West Patrick Street. A commercial building that blends the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles is 121 North Court Street.
Developed in America in the first quarter of the 20th century, this style was popular for public and commercial buildings; its monumentality was frequently used in the construction of bank buildings. The Neoclassical Revival employed features from Greek antiquity such as Ionic and Corinthian columns and pedimented porticoes to embellish balanced, regular compositions. Wall surfaces were smooth and often were finished in fine materials such as marble. The 1908 Citizens National Bank (now Farmers & Mechanics) and the 1911-1922 Frederick County Bank, both located at the intersection of Market and Patrick streets, are typical of this style. (addresses to be inserted and building names removed.)
Commercial Buildings 1890s-1930 (Insert images)
Commercial buildings dating from 1890-1930 are distinguished by large windows arranged in groups on their facades. Developed in Chicago in the 1890's, this style drew upon the structural innovation of steel-frame construction, which enabled much larger window openings than were possible with traditional bearing wall masonry. Beginning in the 1870s, molded, glazed terra cotta became a popular substitute for carved stone and it was used extensively to finish commercial building facades in the early 20th century. Terra cotta was popular at this time because it could be used to mimic much costlier stone such as marble and granite. The Rosenstock Building at 11 North Market Street is an example of a Commercial Style building with terra cotta detailing.
Named for the 1925 Paris Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Art, this style is characterized by geometric motifs, streamlined and curvilinear forms and sharply defined outlines. The style was most often applied to commercial buildings. The Farmers & Mechanics Bank Building (building name to be removed and address inserted) on North Market Street represents one of Frederick’s few Art Deco buildings.
Accessory Structure – A subordinate building that is located
on the same lot as the principle building.
Adaptive Use - The conversion of a building to use other
than that for which it was built.
Alcove - A recess or small room that connects to or forms
part of a larger room.
Architrave - The lower most division of an entablature that
rests directly on a column.
Awning – a roof-like covering placed over a door or window
to provide shelter from the elements.
Historically they were constructed of fabric, but contemporary materials
include metal and plastic.
Bay - Any number of principal divisions of a wall, roof or
other part of a building that is marked by vertical supports.
Bay Window - The window of a protruding bay.
Bulkhead - Located at the foot of a storefront, the bulkhead
is the base that supports the display window.
Bond - Masonry units arranged in any of a variety of
recognizable, and usually overlapping patterns so as to increase the strength
and enhance the appearance of the construction.
Bracket - A support projecting horizontally under eaves or
other overhangs, often more decorative than functional.
Brick Veneer - A non-structural facing of brick laid against
a wall for ornamental, protective or insulation purposes.
Canopy – An overhanging cover for shelter or shade.
Capital - The topmost member, usually decorated, of a column
or pilaster.
Cladding - The process of bonding one material to another.
Clapboard - A long narrow board with one edge thicker than
the other to facilitate overlap; used to cover the outer walls of frame
structures. Also known as weatherboard,
bevel siding, lap siding.
Column - A vertical support or pillar.
Context - The surroundings, both historical and
environmental, of a building or town.
Coping - A cap or covering at the top edge of a wall, either
flat or sloping, to shed water.
Corbel - A slightly projecting architectural element,
usually in masonry, cantilevered from upper exterior walls; usually topped by a
cornice or coping.
Cornice - A continuous molded projection that crowns or
horizontally divides a wall.
Demolition – The intentional destruction of all or part of a
building or structure.
Demolition by neglect – The destruction of a building or
structure caused by the failure to perform routine maintenance over a period of
time.
Display windows - Usually extending from the transom or
cornice/frieze to the bulkhead and consisting of one plane of glass, the
display window is an essential element that helps to define a building's
storefront.
Dormer - A vertical window in a projection built out from a
sloping roof.
Dressing - A building's ornamental detail such as the molded
framework around doors and window openings.
Eaves - The edge of a roof that projects over an outside
wall.
Entablature - Usually composed of a cornice, frieze and
architrave, it is the horizontal section that rests on a column.
Facade - A front of a building or any of its sides that face
a public way. Facades are usually noted
for their architectural detail.
Frame - The fixed portion of a window comprising two jambs,
a head and a sill.
Frieze - The frieze, located directly below the cornice, is
a decorative band. In many cases the
frieze was designed in conjunction with the cornice.
Gable - Triangular wall segments at the end of a pitched
roof.
Gambrel Roof - A ridged roof with two slopes on each side,
the lower roof having the steeper pitch.
General Maintenance – Ordinary maintenance needed to keep a
building or structure in good repair and does not require a change in materials
Gingerbread - A pierced wooden curvilinear ornament,
executed with a jigsaw or scroll saw and located under the eaves of the roof.
Head - The uppermost member of a doorframe or window frame.
Hoodmolds - A projecting molding over the arch of a window
or door.
Hipped Roof - A roof with sloping ends and sides meeting at
an inclined projecting angle.
Jambs - Either of the vertical sides of an archway, doorway
or window opening.
Light - A pane of glass in a window or a glazed component of
a window.
Lintel - A horizontal structural member such as a beam over
an opening that carries the weight of the wall above it.
Mansard Roof - A roof where the lower part is steeper and a
more shallow upper part.
Mass - The bulk and shape of a building.
Meeting Rail – The rail of each sash in a double-hung window
that meets at the rail of the other when the window is closed.
Moulding - A slender strip of wood used for ornamentation
and finishing. Its profile is shaped to
create modulations of light, shade and shadow.
Mullions - The vertical members between the lights of a
window.
Muntins - The grooved member of a window that is used to
hold the edges of windowpanes within a sash.
Panel - A section that is recessed below or raised above the
surrounding area or enclosed by a frame or border.
Parapet - A low protective wall that extends above the
roofline.
Pediment - A wide, low-pitched gable surmounting the facade
of a building in a classical style; any similar element used over doors and
windows.
Piers - Vertical-supporting members that frame an opening
such as a window or door. Sometimes
designed as a flat column or pilaster, piers are often used to divide
storefronts, display windows or the entrance to a building's upper floors.
Pilaster - Similar to a column, a pilaster is a shallow
rectangular feature that projects from a wall and has a capital and base.
Portico- A large porch or covered walk with a roof supported
by columns or piers.
Preservation - The maintenance and repair of a building's
existing historic materials and retention of a property's form as it has
evolved over time.
Protection - The act or process of applying measures
designed to affect the physical condition of a property by defending or
guarding it from deterioration, loss or attack.
Rail - Horizontal members framing a panel.
Reconstruction - New construction to accurately recreate a
vanished building or architectural element as it appeared at a specific period
of time. The work is based on reliable
physical, documentary, or graphic evidence.
Rehabilitation - Returning a structure to viable use while
preserving its distinctive architectural and historic character.
Remodeling - Changing a building without regard to its
distinctive, character defining architectural features or style.
Restoration - Returning a building to a particular period of
time by removing later work and replacing missing earlier work.
Reveal - The part of the jamb that is visible between the
outer wall surface and window or doorframe.
Rhythm - A patterned repetition or alternation of formal
elements (doors, windows, porches, etc.) or motifs in the same or a modified
form.
Ridge - The highest point of a roof or horizontal line where
two roof planes meet.
Roof - The external covering of a building.
Sash - A window's fixed or movable framework in which the
panes of glass are set.
Scale - The apparent size and mass of a building's facade
and form in relation to nearby buildings.
Important factors in establishing the scale of a facade include the
physical relationship of elements such as window area to wall area; the shape
and size of fenestration forms such as the subdivision of windows into lights;
the bonding pattern of the brickwork; and details such as cornices and trim.
Shed Roof - A roof with only one sloping plane.
Sill - A horizontal timber at the bottom of a wood frame
structure that rests on the foundation.
A sill can also be the horizontal bottom member of a window, door, or
other frame.
Stile - Various vertical members that frame a panel.
Soffit - The exposed undersurface of an overhead building
component such as a roof.
Stabilization - Work to halt deterioration of a building by
making it weather tight and structurally stable while awaiting more extensive
rehabilitation.
Street Wall - The line formed by the facades of buildings
set back a common distance from the street.
Texture - The visual qualities of a building's surface
separate from its color and form.
Transom - A window or series of windows located above a door
or display window, transoms are usually made of glass. In commercial building they can be seen as
an extension of the display window and for this reason, provide an excellent
location for signage.
Veranda - A covered and partly enclosed porch or balcony
extending along the sides of a building and used for natural ventilation and
shading.
Vernacular - A style of architecture that uses the commonest
building techniques that are based on the forms and materials of a particular
period, region or group of people.
Trim - Finished woodwork used to decorate, border or protect
the edges of openings such as doors and entrances.
The Planning Department maintains a file on each property in
the Historic District. The file
consists of the Maryland Historical Trust Inventory Form, a slide and photo and
in some cases newspaper articles on the property. The files are available to the public upon request.
The organizations listed below can provide assistance on
preservation issues and are sources of information on the history of the City
of Frederick and Frederick County.
Maryland Historical Society
201 West Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.685.3750
Maryland Historic Preservation Office, Maryland Historical
Trust,
Maryland Department of Housing and Community
Development.
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD
21032
410.514.7600
National Park Service
Heritage Preservation Services
National Register of Historic Places
Historic American Buildings Survey
Historic American Engineering Record
1849 C Street, NW, NC330
Washington, DC
20240
National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
800-315-NTHP
Preservation Maryland
24 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.685.2886
City of Frederick Historic District Commission
City Hall, 101 North Court Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301.600.1499.
Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, Inc.
1110 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
301.668.6088
Frederick County Public Library: Maryland Room,
110 East Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301.631.3764.
Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc.
24 East Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301.663.1188.
The following references are excellent sources for
additional information on the Historic District and the care and maintenance of
historic buildings.
Historical references
City of Frederick Historic District Commission: City Hall, 101 North Court Street,
301.600.1499.
Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, Inc., 1110 Rosemont
Avenue, 301.668-6088.
Frederick County Public Library: Maryland Room, 110 East Patrick Street, 301.631.3764.
Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc., 24 East Church
Street, 301.663.1188.
Books on Preservation and Architecture
Foulks, William G., ed.:
Historic Building Facades:
The Manual for Maintenance and Rehabilitation. New York:
Wiley, 1997.
Longstreth, Richard:
The Buildings of Main Street, A guide to American Commercial
Architecture. Updated Edition. New York: AltaMira Press, 2000.
Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions: Maryland Association of Historic District
Commissions Handbook. 1998.
Morton III, W. Brown, Gary L. Hume, Kay D. Weeks and H. Ward
Jandl.: The Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for
Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
Washington, DC: U.S. Department
of the Interior, National Park Service, Heritage Preservation Services. 1997.
National Trust for Historic Preservation: Preservation Yellow Pages. Revised Edition. New York: John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., 1997.
Poppeliers John, C., Allen Chambers, Jr., Nancy B.
Schwartz: What Style is It? A Guide to American Architecture. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1983.
Rifkind, Carole: A
Field Guide to American Architecture.
New York: Penguin Books, 1980.
National Park Service:
Respectful Rehabilitation, Answers to Your Questions About Old
Buildings. Washington, DC: The Preservation Press, 1982.
Weeks, Kay D. and Anne E Grimmer. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of
Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitation, Restoring
& Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
Washington, DC: U.S. Department
of the Interior, National Parks Service, Cultural Resource Stewardship and
Partnerships, Heritage Preservation Services, 1995.
Books on Frederick History
Ashbury, John, W.: And
All Our Yesterdays: A Chronicle of
Frederick County, Maryland.
Frederick, MD: Diversions
Publications, 1997.
Cannon, Timothy L., Tom Gorsline and Nancy F. Whitmore: Pictorial History of Frederick,
Maryland: The First 250 Years 1745-1995. Frederick, MD: Key Publishing, 1995.
Randall, Frances A.:
Mirror on Frederick: Through
250 Years. Frederick, MD: Greater Southern Printing &
Manufacturing Co., n.d.
APT Bulletin.
(Available through the Association for Preservation Technology, PO Box
8178,
Fredericksburg, VA 22404)
Information Series.
(Available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.)
Preservation.
(Available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.)
Preservation Forum.
(Available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.)
Traditional Building:
The Professional Source for Historical Products.
Pamphlets
Preservation
Brief No. 1: The Cleaning and
Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 2: Repointing Mortar
Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 3: Conserving Energy in
Historic Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 4: Roofing for Historic
Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 6: Dangers of Abrasive
Cleaning to Historic Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 8: Aluminum and Vinyl
Siding on Historic Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 9: The Repair of Historic
Wooden Windows.
Preservation
Brief No. 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork.
Preservation
Brief No. 11: Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts.
Preservation
Brief No. 14: New Exterior Additions
to Historic Buildings: Preservation
Concerns.
Preservation
Brief No. 16: The Use of Substitute
Materials on Historic Building Exteriors.
Preservation
Brief No.17: Architectural
Character: Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to
Preserving Their Character.
Preservation
Brief No.18: Rehabilitating Interiors
in Historic Buildings: Identifying and
Preserving Character-Defining Elements.
Preservation
Brief No. 19: The Repair and
Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs.
Preservation
Brief No. 21: Repairing Historic
Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings.
Preservation
Brief No. 22: The Preservation and
Repair of Historic Stucco.
Preservation
Brief No. 23: Repairing Historic
Ornamental Plaster.
Preservation
Brief No. 24: Heating, Ventilating,
and Cooling Historic Buildings:
Problems and Recommended Approaches.
Preservation
Brief No. 25: The Preservation of
Historic Signs.
Preservation
Brief No. 26: The Preservation and
Repair of Historic Log Buildings.
Preservation
Brief No. 27: The Maintenance and
Repair of Architectural Cast Iron.
Preservation
Brief No. 29: The Repair,
Maintenance, and Replacement of Historic Slate Roofs.
Preservation
Brief No. 32: Making Historic
Properties Accessible.
Preservation
Brief No. 33: The Preservation and
Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass.
Preservation
Brief No. 37: Appropriate Methods
for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing.
These briefs are available at the Planning Department and
from the National Park Service website.
United States.
Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Chapter 18: Lead Hazard
Control and Historic Preservation.” HUD
Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in
Housing. Washington, DC: GPO, 1995.
(Also available at www.hud.gov.)
Websites
City of Frederick, www.cityoffrederick.com
Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov.
Frederick County Landmarks Foundation,
www.fredericklandmarks.org
Frederick County Public Library, www.fcpl.org
Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc., http://www.fwp.net/hsfc/
Maryland Historical Society, www.hdhs.org
Maryland Historic Preservation Office, Maryland Historical
Trust, www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net
National Park Service, www.nps.gov
National Trust for Historic Preservation, www.nthp.org
National Trust for Historic Preservation Library Collection
of the University of Maryland:
www.lib.umd.edu/UMCP/NTL
Preservation Maryland, www.preservemd.org
These Guidelines were published by the City of Frederick,
Department of Planning. This program
receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of
historic properties. Under Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the
Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin,
or disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated
against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you
desire further information, please right to:
Office for Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW,
Mail Stop 2255, Washington, DC 20240.
Frederick Town
Historic District Design
Guidelines
Staff Report Version
January 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: A Brief History of the Frederick Town
Historic District
The Review Process and the Historic District Commission
Why Was the Historic District
Created?
What is Not Reviewed by the HDC?
How Does the Review Process Work?
Three Principles of Secretary of
the Interior’s Standards (maintenance, repair, replacement)
Removing Character-Defining
Elements
Replacing Missing Elements If
Documentation Does Not Exist
What Action Does the HDC Take?
Certificate Of Approval: Building Permits
Resubmitting Denied Applications
Certificate Of Approval: Deadline To Commence Work and Expiration
When Does The Commission Meet?
Significant Aspects of Frederick
Town’s Streetscapes
Impact Of Additions And Demolitions On Streetscape
Guidelines for Rehabilitation and
Maintenance: Materials
Original Materials Vs.
Replacement Materials
Character-Defining Masonry Features
Maintain Masonry Buildings/Keep Roof And Gutter Elements In Good Repair