2008/11/19 Council Agenda Packet

c) A. Existing House Styles The majority of houses in the Riverside Historic Overlay District are one of three architectural styles: Craftsman, American Foursquare, or Colonial Revival. Each of these styles has distinct elements which combine to create the style, including massing, height,roof line, and windows and doors, and entry details, among others. New houses which are built in the overlay district are encouraged to be designed in one of these styles. It is important to maintain consistency in style of all elements on a house, and not to mix and match elements from different styles. The City of Everett Department of Planning and Community Development has available a booklet, "Your Old House, Historic Preservation Resource and Design Guide,"which gives guidance on the appropriate elements for each of these three styles. This booklet will also be helpful in guiding the design of additions to houses of these styles. Photos of typical examples of these three house styles from Riverside are located on the following pages. B. Streetscape Deep lawns, open front yards and clearly defined front entrances characterize the Historic District. Setbacks are perceived to be consistent throughout. Wide sidewalks, uninterrupted by curb cuts and driveways,parallel the streets. Some blocks are planted with street trees, either along the street or in the front yards. A distinctive character is given to some blocks by grand, old trees which dot the streets as individual specimens. Residences are evenly spaced along the street, creating a consistent rhythm which adds to the diverse yet congenial atmosphere of the streetscape. Most of the homes have little or no side yard. Most lots abut an alley and few driveways encroach in the front yard with the exception of corner lots. Homes are clearly approached from the street front. This clear welcome from the street strongly influences the streetscape. Typically a defined entryway, for example an overhang or porch, characterizes building fronts. The variety of entryways lends visual variation to buildings which are similar in style and materials. Few fences interrupt the openness of the streetscape. Guidelines for all development: Front Yards 1. Maintain the visual openness of all front yards. See the Historic Overlay Zone Standards, Section 8, for required setbacks. 2. Maintain traditional landscape patterns with open lawns, specimen trees as focal rh points, and massing of shrubbery near the house. See Section L, Landscaping. 6