HomeMy Public PortalAboutCertificate of Appropriateness (COA) GuidelinesVillage of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines for preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance 1 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Introduction to the Guidelines The Village of Plainfield’s rich heritage of historical structures, sites, places, and distric ts deserve protection and careful management because they contribute greatly to the County’s special character and identity. Therefore, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required, in addition to any required building permits, for exterior changes to designated Landmarks and properties located with Historic Districts. This manual is intended to inform owners, contractors and their agents of the basic standards required for compliance. The Village of Plainfield’s Historic Preservation Commission (K CHPC) reviews proposed exterior changes and issues a COA when plans conform to standards in the Design Guidelines. Landmark or Historic District designation does not change the use or zoning of the property nor does it require that the property owner res tore or make improvements. It may provide the owner with the eligibility to apply for Federal income tax credits and grants when work is done that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (See Appendix A). All existing zoning an d building codes of the county shall be fully adhered to. C ommon terms used in this manual are shall, shall not, should and should not. The use of the terms shall and shall not signify that property own ers are required to follow the guideline as written. The use of the terms should or should not signifies that it is most ap propriate for property owners to follow the meaning and intent of a guideline as written, however the Commission will be more flexible on these items. These terms also provide guidance as to how the Commission will generally approve or disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA ) application. T he Guidelines are intended to regulate the exterior of the structure only, interior alterations that do not affect the appearance, features or materials of the exterior are not governed except by applicable building and zoning codes. The Guidelines are first concerned with the primary facades of buildings. A primary facade as defined in these Guidelines refers to all street facing facades and front facades, including those that face a side lot line. The fronts and visible sides of a building usually contain its most defining features such as porches, main entrances, and decora tive details. The street or sidewalk is also where the public most often views a building. Work to the rear of a building is usually reviewed with more flexibility since it is generally not visible due to the building’s placement on the lot or screening by landscape or fences. The rear of a building is the most appropri ate location for the construction of additional living space or other major alterations. Buildings on corner lots are the excep tion. Because the rear of a building on a corner lot is visible from the street, it will be reviewed with the same provisions fo r the sides of buildings. The Guidelines apply to designated Landmarks and all properties within designated Historic Districts regardless of age or architectural style. For non ‐historic structures (properties that are less than fifty years of age or those that have been substantially altered), the Commission may apply the Guidelines with more flexibility. In reviewing work affecting non ‐historic buildings, 2 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines the Commission’s approach is to maintain or enhance the building’s relationship and compatibility wit h adjacent historic buildings and streetscapes. The Guidelines emphasize preservation of existing building details, materials and overall plan rather than complete remodeling. Thus terms such as repair, retain, maintain are widely used throughout the Guid e lines. To repair, retain and maintain architectural features and materials is preferred to their replacement. Property owners are encouraged to refer to the Guidelines when plan ning new construction projects, exterior rehabilitation, and when performi ng everyday maintenance. The Guidelines include illustrated information on common rehabilitation questions, recommenda tions for maintaining the site and setting of the neighborhood and guidance for new construction. More information on all these subjects is available from the Historic Preservation Commission. The Appendix at the end of this manual lists other reliable sources of information. To protect the overall charac ter of the districts is the goal of the preservation ordinance and the Guideline doc ument. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as applying to uses or structures in agriculture districts and all existing zoning and building codes of the county shall be fully adhered to. The Village of Plainfield’s Historic Preservation Commission is granted the authority to make reasonable rules and interpretations of the Guidelines to accomplish the Guideline goals. 3 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Table of Contents Introduction 2 Section I Rehabilitation and Restoration Guidelines for Existing Structures 5 Antennas 2 6 Archit ectural Details and Features 6 ‐7 Awnings 8,15 Carriage House 1 3 Chimney s 9 Columns 2 3 Doors 1 0 ‐1 1 Dormers 25,27 Downspouts 1 4 Fascia 30 Foundations 12 Garages 13 Gutters 14 Lighting 15 Masonry 1 6 Outbuildings 13 Painting 18 ‐2 0 Porches , Porticos and components 2 1 ‐2 4 Roofs 25 Satellite Dishes 26 Shutters 29 Siding 34 ‐35 Skylights 25 ‐26 Soffit 30 Solar Panels 26 Stairs 2 6 Stucco 16 Substitute Materials ‐ See Preservation Brief 16 Tuck pointing 16 Windows 28 , 3 1 ‐3 3 Section II New Construction Guidelines 36 Additions 3 7 Buildings 39 Decks 38 Dormers 40 Garages 39 Outbuildi ngs 39 Sheds 39 Section III Site and Setting Guidelines 42 Air C onditioners 47 4 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Driveways 48 Dumpsters 47 Fences 43 ‐4 4 Fountains 51 Fire escapes 45 Gazebos 51 Landscaping 46 Mechanicals 47 Parking 48 Pergolas 51 Ramps, accessibility 49 Secondary exits 45 Sidewalks and walkways 50 Signage 56 Swimming pools 51 Walls 43 Section IV Agricultural Structures and Farmsteads 53 ‐54 Section I: Rehabilitation and Restoration to Existing B uildings The following Guidelines are designed to both encour age and promote the sensitive restora ‐tion, renovation, and preservation of individual Historic Landmarks and prop erties located within Village of Plainfield’s Historic Districts. This section of the Guidelines addresses rehabilitation and restoration work to existing buildings. Sections that address New Construction, Site and Setting, Agricul tural Structures and Farmsteads , Com mercial Centers and Storefronts , Signage, and Demolition and Mo ving Procedures follow.5 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Architectural Details and Features A. Architectural details and features shall not be removed or altered if original to the building. B. Architectural details and features should be repaired rather than re placed. C. Architectural details and features shall not be covered or concealed with vinyl, aluminum or other artificial material. D. Architectural details and features should not be added unless there is physical, or historical evidence that such features were original to the b uilding. These features should match the original in materials, scale, loca tion, proportions, form, and profiles. E. Architectural details and features if deteriorated beyond repair, should be replaced. The new materials should match the original as clos ely as pos sible. Architectural details and features include but are not limited to such character defining features as ginger bread, verge boards, eaves, brackets, dentils, friezes, cornices, soffits and fascias, moldings, hood molds, trim, columns, pila sters, balus ters, clapboard, shingle and stucco surfaces, rafter tails, spindles, ornament, quoins, or any decorative element. Buildings display a wide variety of architectural features and detailing. These are essential in defining a property’s architec tural style and period of construction. Original architectural details and features need to be pre served and maintained. Columns Hood Molding Verge board Brackets 6 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Italianate Cupola Queen Anne turret Tudor Revival timbering 7 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines New, Repaired or R eplaced Awnings A. Awnings shall be of canvas, or similar woven material, and compatible with the style of the house. Metal, fiber glass, or vinyl awnings shall not be used. B. Awnings should not cover or conceal significant architectural details such as window hood molding. C. Awnings should be of colors to com pliment the dwelling. D. Awnings should fit the opening to which they are applied. Rectangu lar openings should have straight across sh ed type awnings, not bubble or curved forms. Arched openings should have curved or rounded, not bubble, awnings to match the opening. E. Awnings should be attached with care to prevent unnecessary damage of original details and materials. F. Awnings with illumination shall not be used. G. Awnings should not be used at win dows with shutters. Canvas awnings were ap plied to windows, doors, and porches to provide shade during the summer. Awnings fell out of favor following the introduction of air conditio n ing. The application of canvas awnings is appropriate for historic dwellings, but may not be appropriate for all locations. Examples of poor awning locations include decorative windows such as oriels, fanlights, and those with prominent decorative glazi ng. Modern awnings, often made from metal, fiberglass, or vinyl bear little resemblance to historic canvas awnings and are not appropriate. Awn ings should reinforce openings, not cover features Awnings should fit the opening to which the y are applied 8 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Chimneys A. Chimneys shall not be removed or altered if original. B. Chimneys shall be cleaned and re ‐pointed in accordance with Masonry Guidelines below. C. Chimneys which require rebuilding shall be rebuilt to match the original des ign in materials, colors, shape, mortar profile, and masonry pattern. D. Chimneys should have clay, slate, or stone caps. Concrete and metal caps may be a cceptable for some styles if they are not readily visible. E. Chimneys should not be covered with st ucco or other non ‐original materials. F. Original decorative chimney pots should not be removed. G. Chimneys that have been extensively re ‐pointed resulting in mismatched colors and textures may be painted in brick colors such as dark red or brown. Chim neys often feature decorative masonry work or designs that are part of a dwelling’s architectural character. Many exterior wall chimneys are essential features to a dwelling’s overall design. These are typically found in Queen Anne or Tudor Revival styles. Some less decorative chimneys have simple details such as banding or corbeling. Chimneys need to be maintained and preserved in accordance with the masonry Guidelines Corbelled chimney with metal tie rod and stone cap A lso see: 1) Preservation Briefs No. 1 - Assessing Cleaning and Water -Repellant Treatments for Historic Masonry 2) Preservation Briefs No. 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings 9 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Doors A. Doors a nd/or original door features such as surrounds, sidelights, and transoms shall not be removed or altered. Door openings shall not be enlarged, reduced, or shortened for new door installation. B. Doorways that need to be altered to meet accessibility codes should adhere to the Historic Preservation provisions of the accessibility codes w h ere you are able . C. Doors that are missing or deteriorated beyond repair on the front or side facades visible from the street shall be replaced with doors appropriate fo r the style and period of the building. Replacement doors shall be similar in design to the original in style, materi als, glazing (glass configuration) or appropriate to the architectural style of the building. D. Unless they are historic to the build in g, doors of flush wood or steel design shall be used only at rear en trances or side entrances that are not visible from the street. E. Doors shall not be added at locations where they did not originally exist, unless needed to meet safety codes. When ne cessary, doors should be added at the rear or sides of dwellings where they will not be visible. Doors and door surrounds are significant in defining the style and character of a dwelling. Original doors, door surrounds, and hard ware need to be preserved and maintained. Doors readily available from most wholesale hardware stores generally reflect designs for houses built after 1940 and may not be appro priate. Door construction and style varies widely from one architectural style to another. What is ap propriate for one historic house may not be appropriate for another. 10 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Appropriate for Greek Revival and Octagon styles Appropriate for Italianate, Second Empire, Gothic Revival styles Appropriate for Colonial Revival, Neo ‐classical styles Appropriate for Gothic Revival styles Appropriate for Stick, Queen Anne, Eastlake, Shingle s tyles Appropriate for Craftsman, Bungalow styles Appropriate for Tudor Revival style Appropriate for Modern style 11 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Foundations A. Foundations should be retained and not altered. B. Foundation alterations, if required, should not be ma de at visible facades. C. Foundations shall be cleaned, re paired, or re ‐pointed according to masonry guidelines. D. Foundations shall not be concealed with concrete block, plywood panels, corrugated metal, or other non ‐origi nal materials. E. Foundatio ns of brick may be painted or covered with cement coating to match the original building material if the brick and/or mortar is mismatched or inappropriately repaired. F. Stuccoing as a method of foundation repair should not be used. Most early historic d wellings have stone, brick or concrete foundations. Repointing and repair shall follow Masonry Guidelines. Also see: 1) Preservation Briefs No. 1 - Assessing Cleaning and Water -Repellant Treatments for Historic Masonry 2) Preservation Briefs No. 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Histo ric Masonry Buildings 12 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Existing Garages, Carriage Houses and Outbuildings A. Garages, carriage houses or outbuild ings that contribute to a property’s historic character , or are original to a property shall be preserved and main tained. Original features should be repaired to match the original. B. Garages, carriage houses or outbuild ings original to a property should not be moved or relocated to another part of the lot . C. Original doors should be maintained, but may be retrofitted with modern hardware and custom garage door openers. D. Doors deteriorated beyond repair may be replaced with new doors. These should match original doors with features such as raised panel s and glass window sections. Many styles appropriate for historic buildings are available with overhead opening, but the look of original swing doors. Avoid solid metal or fiberglass doors. E. For architectural features visible from the street on garages, carriage houses, and outbuildings, refer to appropriate sections of this guide. Some historic properties contain outbuildings includ ing servant’s quarters, sheds, carriage houses, and auto mobile garages. These were often built with construction techni ques and materials to match the primary dwelling. Although some are not origi nal, many have architectural significance. These build ings should be preserved and maintained. NOTE: For new garages see New Construction Guide lines. Appropriate garage doo rs for historic properties 13 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Gutters and Downspouts A. Gutter and downspout installation shall not result in the removal of any existing eave features. B. Gutters and downspouts of boxed, built ‐in type, and/or copper should be preserved, and repaired rather than replaced if possible. C. Gutters and downspouts of early hang ‐on type should be half ‐round rather than “K” or ogee. If the gutters are not readily visible, ogee gutters of aluminum or vinyl are acceptable. D. Gutters and downspouts should be located away from significant archi tectural features on the front of the building. E. Gutters and downspouts should be designed and installed to provide proper drainage and to channel the water as far away from the dwelling as possible. Downspouts shoul d extend at least 4 to 6 feet, or utilize a splash block. Round downspouts are more appropriate than rectangular forms, for half round gutters. Rectangular down spouts are also acceptable. F. Hanger straps should be nailed under, not on top, of the roofin g material. If new roof is installed at same time as the gutters, the straps shall be nailed under the roofing material. G. Gutters shall match the color scheme of the house. Copper gutters may remain unpainted. Gutters and downspouts should be regularl y cleaned and maintained. If new gut ters are required, half ‐round designs are the most histori cally accurate for the earlier styles. Some later styles; the Ro manesque, Colonial, Italian Renaissance, Tudor Revival Styles, and Neoclassical, all typicall y with enclosed eaves, used the ogee (K profile) gut ter. Some styles or designs feature rectangular or bevel profiles or hidden built ‐in type gutters. Metal used for gutters and downspouts should be compatible with metal used for roof flashing to avoid co rrosion. 14 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Lighting (For Porches and Exterior Walls) A. Lighting fixtures original to the dwell ing should be preserved and main tained. B. New lighting fixtures shall be compat ible with the style, scale, and period of the structure, based on traditional designs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and mounted on porch ceil ings or adjacent to entrances. C. Building mounted security lighting should be only for security. Flood lights should be mounted on the rear or sides of a building n ot visible from the street. High intensity overhead lights should not be used. D. Light fixtures for security lights, flood lights, or foot lights should be small, simple in design, and their number kept to a minimum. E. If freestanding fixtures are ins talled, they shall also be compatible with the character of the building style, and shall not conflict with any period streetlights. F. Buildings that originally did not have lights mounted on the exterior walls or porch ceilings may need lighting. New fi xtures should be simple in design and not detract from the building style. Electrified versions of early gas light fixtures may be appropriate. G. Unobtrusive site lighting can be used to provide adequate illumination without calling attention to the ligh t source. H. Awnings with illumination shall not be used. Some historic buildings retain original exterior wall and porch ceiling light fixtures. These are part of a building’s character and should be preserved and maintained. If the original ligh t fixtures are missing, use light fixtures appropriate to the building’s style. When appropriate fixtures are not available, simple designs and detailing are preferred to large, ornate ones. Colonial Revival Style Tudor Revival, Bungalow Style Prairie, Bungalow Style Colonial Revival, Neo ‐classical Style Modern Style 15 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Masonry , Stone and Stucco A. Masonry original to the dwelling shall be preserved and maintained. B. Masonry shall not be sandblasted or abrasively cleaned. Brick should not be cleaned with high ‐pressure water that exceeds 300 pounds per square inch. C. Masonry should be cleaned only if there are maj or stains or paint buildup. If the staining or dirt is limited, it may be best left alone. Masonry should be cleaned by the gentlest effec tive method. Use detergent cleaners and natural brushes for staining, do not use metal brushes. The use of chemical c leaners is appropriate using low ‐pressure water to avoid forcing water and chemicals into the wall. This usually requires professionals. Information on the use of chemical paint removal and cleaning products is available from the Preservation Division. D. Masonry should not be coated with silicone ‐based water sealants. Water sealants or water repellents should be highly vapor permeable. Imperme able coatings trap interior moisture damaging the brick. E. Masonry that has not been previously painted shall n ot be painted unless the brick and mortar is extremely mis matched from earlier repairs or patch ing. Previously sandblasted brick or brick in poor condition may be painted to provide a sealing coat. These paints must be vapor permeable. F. Masonry shall not be covered in stucco, artificial stone, brick veneer, shingles, or other coating materials, except for foundations that may be coated with a cement coating if dete ‐riorated. Refer to Foundations. G. Masonry repairs should be performed carefully to mat ch the original stone or brickwork and mortar. If new stone or brick is required, match brick color, texture, and size. Match stone for type size and finish. H. Re ‐pointing (tuck pointing) mortar shall match the original in width, color, tooling profile, composition, and texture. Remove mortar using methods that will not cause damage to the stone or brick. Re ‐pointing should never be done with hard mortars unless these mortar compounds are original to the dwelling. If the original composition cannot be de termined, use a historic compound such as one part lime, one part Portland cement, and six parts sand. Use natural sand. I. Stucco surfaces shall be maintained by cleaning and repainting with ap propriate masonry paint when neces sary. When repairing orig inal stucco, a stucco mixture duplicating the appear ‐ance shall be used. Patches of incom patible composition will adhere poorly and will fail. J. When attaching approved elements to masonry, anchoring devices shall be drilled into mortar joints and not i nto the brick or stone. 16 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Many historic dwellings have exterior walls of masonry. Masonry includes brick, stone, and terra cotta. If well maintained, these can last indefinitely. Important points in masonry preservation are to keep out water and to use an appropri ate mortar mix when repair is needed. The use of hard mortars high in Portland ce ment can cause early brick to crack and break. Portland ce ment was used after 1920 and generally this type of hard mortar is compatible only with brick from aft er 1920. Abrasive cleaning methods such as sandblasting or water blasting erodes the outer skin of the brick and destroys the surface crust allowing moisture to enter the wall. Low pressure cleaning is best for cleaning masonry. Sandblasting is not appro priate because it damages the hard pro ‐tective surface layer of b rick and m ortar j oint p rofiles See also, Preservation Briefs : No. 1 - Assessing Cleaning and Water -Repellant Treatments for Historic Masonry and, No. 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings No 22: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco No 42: The Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Historic Cast Stone 17 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Surface Preparation f or Painting A. Removal of existing paint should be done by manual scraping or with ap propriate chemical removers. B. Removing paint through heat plates or heat guns should be done using cau tion to avoid unnecessary damage to the wood through charring or fire. C. Abrasive sand blasting to remove paint shall not be used. Water blastin g above 600 pounds per square inch to remove loose paint is not recommend ed as it can cause damage. D. Surface preparation should include identification and appropriate han dling of lead based paints to avoid hazards. E. The existing surface including a ny soundly adhered paint should be compatible with the new paint. Paints should be applied according to manu facturers’ instructions. Many exterior wood elements require a coating to protect them from deterioration. It is important to keep main taining pa inted surfaces so those key features can be preserved. The use of blowtorches to remove paint may lead to a fire hazard. Also, the use of abrasive sand will damage the wood siding and raise the grain. In addition, during this process, water forced into t he wood can take a long time to dry. Paint will not adhere to wet or damp wood, and the wood may develop mildew or rot. See also Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings and Preservation Brief 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork 18 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Paint and Paint Colors The selection of paint colors does not require approval by the Commission. The Historic Preservation Commission is available to provide recom mendations for paint colors if requested. Paint charts with historic c olors are also avail able at most paint stores. Consider painting the dwell ing in keeping with its style and period of construction. Avoid bright hues and too many colors on a building. Select architectural details of the dwelling to highlight. Painting with high quality exterior paints will last from eight to fifteen years. Sun light exposure, regular gutter and downspout maintenance and wood surface condition and preparation affect paint life. A. Paint colors do n ot require review and approval however; books and paint charts are available to select appropriate colors. Because color has a predominant effect on the character of a district, it is recommended that residents consult the Kendall County Historic Preser vation Commission for assistance in selec ting paint colors and schemes before painting any building covered by these Guidelines. B. Paint should be of high quality ap plied to properly prepared surfaces to provide a long lasting finish. C. In most instances, paint should not be applied to unpai nted masonry. (For exceptions, see Masonry Section D.) D. All exterior wood surfaces, new and old, shall be painted or stained except for wood shingles that may or may not be painted. (See Shingle Style ) All painting shall be completed within twelve mont hs according to manufac turer’s recommendations, weather permitting. E. Paint colors and placement should be appropriate for the dwelling’s a rchi tectural style and design. The TABLE on page 22 lists some suggested colors. See Preservation Briefs: No. 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings and, No. 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork and, No. 28: Painting Historic Interiors and, No. 37: Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead ‐Paint Hazards in Historic Housing 19 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines TABLE 1: P aint colors for historic homes Style Body Trim & Accents Italianate Style Light colors for the body and trim Tan, Light Brown, Beige, Light Green, Yellow Cream, Gray, Light Brown Queen Anne & Second Empire Diver sity of colors using combinations of co ntrasting colors for the body and trim Tan, Red, Green, Brown Darker colors such as Dark Olive, Salmon Red, Dark Brown Shingle Most shingle style dwell ings were originally built with the exterior wood shingles stained or left natural rather than painted. Most of these dwellings have been painted over the years and a return to the dark browns and reds of the wood shingles is recommended Dark Red, Brown, Dark Gray, Dark Green Dark Green, Dark Brown Prairie & Four Square A return to lighter colors such as yellow and off white. For Four Square ‐ Two color paint scheme, one for lower level and the other for the upper level. Also: earlier versions had Victorian colors, later versions had Colonial Revival colors. Light Tan, Light Yellow, Light Brown, Grays, Med ium to Light Greens Off ‐whites, Cream, Brown, Blues, Greens Bungalow & Tudor Revival Darker colors again such as earth tones. Dark stains also used in place of paint. Brick, stone, stucco, and concrete gen erally left unpainted. Brown, Green, Gray, Dark R ed Both light and dark trim colors such as Reds, Browns, Greens, and shades of Tan. Colonial Revival Light colors pre dominate Yellow, Light Gray, Light Blue, White White, Off ‐white, Cream 20 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Porches, Porticos and Components Porches are defining charac te ristics of historic build ings. If replacement of porch features is required, use materials that closely match the original. If the original porch is missing, a new porch should be constructed based upon photographic or physi cal evidence of the original. If such evidence does not exist, the design should be based on historic porches of similar buildings from the same time period and archi tectural style. Inappropriate porch addi tions may be removed and more appropriate porches, based on historic preceden t may be constructed. A vernacular house may have an Italianate or Queen Anne porch. These are acceptable and reflect changes over time. Handrail height and style should be determined by photographs, paint outlines, paint shadows, and/or similar homes i n the area. A. Porches on front and side facades that are original or important to a building’s historical integrity shall be maintained in their original de sign and with original materials and detailing unless they are deteriorated beyond repair. B. P orches original or important to the building’s historical integrity that have deteriorated or have deterio rated components shall be repaired or replaced to match the original in design, materials, scale, dimensioning, detailing, and placement. C. Porche s with wood components shall be painted unless the building style features unpainted wood such as found in the Shingle or Modern style. See Paint Section. D. Porches on the front façades shall not be enclosed with wood, glass, or other materials that alte r the open appearance. If historically the porch style was enclosed, windows, doors and screening of style and material appropriate to the building style may be used. E. Porches may be screened. If screened, the structural framework for the screen panels shall be minimal and the open appearance of the porch main tained. Screen panels shall be placed behind the original features such as columns or railings and shall not hide decorative details or result in the re moval of original porch materials. F. Porc hes with wood porch floors should have wood steps. The treads shall have rounded nosings. Wood floors should have wood tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the facade G. Original porches of masonry or patios and terraces with poured concret e floors may have poured concrete steps. 21 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines H. Porches with open areas below should be enclosed as was traditional for the type and style of the original porch building material. This could include decorative wood framed skirting, vertical slats, or lattice panels. I. All new components of a por ch shall be painted within twelve months, weather permitting. J. Porch columns and railings shall be preserved and maintained. When re pair is required, use materials to match the original in dimension and detailing. Epoxy consolidants can be used. K. Porches may have wood trellises added if they will not result in the removal of original porch building material. L. Porch columns and railings of alumi num, wrought iron, or other modern materials, with the exception of some houses built after World War II, are not appropriate. M. Porch columns and railings, if the originals have been removed or re placed, on front porches and porches visible from the street shall/should be rebuilt in historic designs to match the st yle of the building. N. Porches may require new balusters for the railing. Porch balusters (also called spindles) shall be appropriate for the building’s style and period. They shall be located between a top and bottom rail. Porches, Porch Components, and Porticos Parts of a porch : 1. Column 2. Handrail 3. Baluster 4. Newel post 5. Lattice skirting Eastlake Style Porch Prairie Style Porch Also see Preservation Brief 45: Preserving Historic Wooden Porches 22 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Well maintained porch, Queen Anne style A ppropriate enclosure of front porch, Bungalow or Craftsman style Appropriat e porch screen ing ‐ screens do not ob struct architectural fea tures Appropriate Columns for Various Styles 1) Greek Revival 2) Italianate, 2 nd Empire 3 & 4) Gothic Revival 5 & 6) Queen Anne, Eastlake, Stick 7) Colonial Revival, Neo ‐classical 23 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Appropriate stair construction Inappropriate stair construction 1. Riser 2. Tread 3. Nosing 4. Molding 1. Deck material 2. No nos ing Appropriate balusters 1, 2, 3 Queen Anne, Eastlake, Stick 4, 5 Italianate, 2 nd Empire, Neo ‐classical Inappropriate railing construction 1 Balusters not between top and bottom rails 2 Handrail is not beveled 24 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Roofs and Roof Elements The original roof form and materials are a major compo nent of a building’s ar chi tectural style. It is important that these be retained. Additions that will affect roof forms should be placed so as to minimize their impact as viewed from the street. See Roofline Additions. Historic roofs of materi als such as metal shingles, clay tiles, or slate should be repaired and preserved whenever possible. Sawn ce dar shingles were commonly used on older buildings. Split cedar shakes are inappropriate in most cases. A. Roofs and roof elements shall be retained in their original shape and pitch, with original features includ ing cresting, chimneys, vents, finials, cupolas, etc. and, if possible, with original roof materials. B. For new dormers, roof decks, balco nies or other additions see Roofline Additions. C. Roofs may be re ‐roofed w ith substi tute materials such as asphalt or fiber glass shingles if the original materials are determined beyond repair, are no longer present or available, or if the retention of the original roof material is not economically feasible. Par ticular effort shall be made to retain materials such as slate, tile, and other unique materials not commonly found in new construction. D. Roofs of new asphalt or fiberglass shingles shall be one color and shall be compatible with historic colors and the style or per iod of the house. As phalt shingle in dark shades of gray, red, brown or black are appropriate for the replacement of early asphalt shingles and as a substitute material for wood shingles. Dark gray or black asphalt shingles are an appropriate substitute f or slate shingles, and red or green asphalt shingles are appro priate substitutes for clay tile roofing materials. New materials shall match as closely as possible to the original in composition, size, shape, color and texture. E. Roofs that are flat and were originally metal should be replaced in metal. If not readily visible, other low pitch roofing materials are acceptable. F. Roofs requiring ventilation should have ridge vents rather than pot vents. If pot vents are necessary they should be located at rear rooflines, or near the rear (as in a front facing gable house). These vents should be painted to match the roof color. Roof gable vents should be maintained. G. Skylights original to the house should be preserved. Skylights shall not be added wher e they would be visible from the street. Skylights should be placed at rear rooflines or behind gables and dormers. Skylights should be flat or flush with the roofline, not convex or “bubble” designs. See also Preservation Brief No. 4: Roofing for Histori c Buildings 25 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Satellite Dishes, Antennas, and Solar Panels A. Satellite dishes, antennas, and solar panels shall not be installed in front yards or in side yards visible from the street. Dishes or solar panels should not be installed at visible rooflines. B. Satellite dishes and antennas in the smaller sizes are more appropriate than the large dishes. C. Satellite dishes, antennas, and solar panels should be mounted as low to the ground as possible and the use of landscaping, lattice panels, or fencing to screen the view is recommended. D. If practical s olar panels shall not be added where they would be visible from the street. Solar panels should be placed at rear rooflines or behind gables and dor mers. Solar panels should be flat or flush with the roofl ine. E. Satellite dishes and antennas should be located at rear rooflines or prefer ably in rear yards. F. Antennas mounted on the roof shall not extend more than three feet higher than the closest roof within ten feet. Satellite dishes may be in stalle d if they are sited in rear yards or along side yards that are not visible from the street. As non ‐historic features, the smaller dishes are preferred to the larger dishes. New innovations in solar power may be allowed upon the review and approval of the Village of Plainfield’s Historic Preserva tion Commission. 26 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Screen, Storm, and Security Doors Security doors are non ‐his toric additions to dwellings. While the installation of security doors on fronts of buildings is discouraged, they may be install ed if they allow the viewing of most of the historic door. Ornate security doors with exten sive grillwork or decorative detailing are not appropriate. However, certain decorative detailing may be appropriate for storm or screen doors for some styles such as Queen Anne. A. Original wood frame storm or screen doors shall be maintained. Screen, storm, and security doors shall be cor ‐rectly sized to fit the entrance opening and shall be compatible with the style of the building. Door openings shall not be enl arged, reduced, or shortened for new door installation. B. Security doors are less appropriate for fronts of dwellings than at rear and side facades not visible from the street. Security doors added to the fronts of dwellings shall be full view design or have minimal structural framework to allow for the viewing of the primary door behind them. C. Security doors at locations not vis ible from the street are acceptable and may have more extensive structural framework than would be acceptable for doors vi sible from the street. D. Screen and storm doors added to the front or visible side doors should be wood. These should be either full view or with divisions aligned to those of the primary door. E. When metal screen, storm, or secu rity doors on front or visible sides are used, they shall have a painted, anod ized, or non ‐metallic finish to match the trim color. Screen Doors 27 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Wood stor m windows are not only attractive but they increase energy efficiency as well. Screen, Storm, and Security Windows Screen, storm, and security windows are acceptable for historic dwellings. Their de sign and style sho uld not ob scure the primary windows. Storm windows help reduce energy costs and reduce the occur r ence of condensation on windows. Wood does not conduct the cold air to the inside as much as metal when used in storm windows. Both the primary window and the storm window should be properly weather ‐stripped to help keep out air infiltration and further reduce energy costs. A. Screens and storm windows shall be correctly sized to fit the window openings including round arched windows. Frames should not obsc ure the glass area of windows. Screen and storm window panels shall be full view design or have the meeting rail match that of the window behind it. B. Screens and storm windows shall be wood or aluminum with a painted, baked ‐on, or anodized finish. Win d ows of raw aluminum are not accept able unless painted to match the color of the window sashes. C. Storm windows with built ‐in lower screens are acceptable. D. Window security bars may be applied on windows that are not visible from the street. E. Base ment windows may be secured on the inside with a plywood board or with bars painted black provided it is in accordance with the Kendall County building codes. F. For screens and storm windows for porches, see Porches and Porch Ele ments. 28 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Shutters Windo w shutters were often added to houses to provide interior shading in the sum mer and to protect windows during storms. A. Window shutters original to the dwell ing should be preserved and main tained. B. Window shutters shall not be added unless there is physical or photograph ic evidence that the dwelling original ly had them, or if they are compatible with the style of the house. C. Window shutters shall be of louvered or paneled wood construction and the shutters sized to fit the window opening so tha t, if closed, the shut ters would cover the entire window opening. D. Exceptions to C. for the following styles: Colonial Revival, Mission, Tudor Revival, and Modern, may be made upon review and approval of the Historic Preservation Com mission. E. Windo w shutters of vinyl or alumi num construction are not appropriate. These shutters generally have dimen sions that are not compatible with historic dwellings. 29 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Soffit and Fascia The soffit is the flat hor i zon tal board that enclose s the space under th e eave or cornice. Often bead board is used for historic homes. The fascia is the flat board used to cover the ends of roof rafters or located along the rake. Cornice molding or trim is often placed on the fascia board. A. Original s offit, fascia, trim boards and detail s shall not be removed. They sha ll be maintained by painting and proper gutter functioning. B. Soffit, fascia boards, trim and details deteriorated beyond repair shall be replaced with boards that match the originals. 30 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Windows A. Windo ws shall be preserved in their original location, size, and design and with their original materials and glass pattern. B. Window openings on front facades or side facades visible from the street shall not be altered to accommodate new windows of differen t size, pro portion or configuration. C. Character defining window openings on all facades shall not be altered. D. New window openings shall not be added to front facades or to side facades where visible. E. Windows should be repaired rather than rep laced. If non ‐original or be yond repair and replacement is neces sary, the replacement shall be in ‐kind to match the original in material and design. F. Windows should be repaired with ma terials to match the original and other materials such as consoli dants that are appropriate to the original mate rial. (Consultation with a stained glass specialist is recommended for repairs to art glass.) G. New windows on front facades and sides visible from the street shall not have snap ‐in or flush muntins. True divided muntins are acceptable. H. Windows may have screens and/or storm windows. See Screen, Storm and Security Windows Section. I. Basement windows should not be enclosed or concealed on the exterior, and masonry should be properly re ‐pointed when rep aired. Historic buildings display a wide variety of windows in various designs and sizes. These are important features of the various architectural styles. Decorative windows include materials such as stained glass, beveled, leaded glass, and etched glass . Most early windows are made from wood and with proper repair can be made functional. Window openings original to a dwelling shall not be covered or concealed. New windows may be added at the rear and non ‐visible sides of a building. See also, Preser vation Brief s: No. 9: Repairing Historic Wood Windows No. 13: The Repair and Thermal Upgrading of Historic Steel Windows No. 33: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass 31 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Windows Cap, cornice or hood Lintel Casing framing Rail Muntin Pane or light Sill 32 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Windows Appropriate for Greek Revival style Appropriate for Italianate, 2 nd Empire, Octagon style Appropriate for Queen Anne, Stick, Ea stlake style s Appropriate for Shingle and Prairie style s Appropriate for Prairie and Bungalow style s Appropriate for Tudor Revival style Appropriate for Colonial Revival and Neo ‐Classical style s 33 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Siding Original siding materials are essential components in defining a building’s architec tural character. The conceal ment of original wood siding under synthetic sidings is not appropriate. These siding materials do not successfully imitate original wood sidi ng in dimensions or texture. The use of synthetic sidings also poses potential problems for historic buildings. These materials have a limited life span and may not be cost effective compared to continued maintenance and painting of wood siding. Alu minum and vinyl siding which is 15 to 20 years old becomes faded, chipped, or cracked and may require painting. If insulation without a vapor barrier is installed, the interior should be painted with an impermeable paint to prevent moisture condensa tion in the wall. A. Wood siding original to a building shall be repaired rather than replaced. If replacement is necessary, wood siding and shingles shall be replaced with new to match the original in size, placement, and design. If considering the replacement of s iding, obtain a determination from the Historic Pres ervation Commission on the condition of the existing siding. Wood siding original to a dwell ing shall not be concealed beneath synthetic materials . B . Wood siding that has been concealed beneath synt hetic siding should be repaired. Following the removal of synthetic siding, original sid ing should be repaired to match the original, caulked and painted. When ghosting or outlines of decorative missing features are revealed, these should be replicated an d reinstalled. If these features are not replaced the ghosting should be recorded through photographs or drawings for possible future replication. C . Walls under wood siding may not be altered with plugholes for the installa tion of insulation in the wall s. D . Asbestos shingles that are original to a dwelling should be kept stained or painted. If asbestos shingle siding is deteriorated or poses a health haz ard, it may be removed and replaced with wood or other substitute siding. Removal of asbestos sidi ng should fol low hazardous material guidelines. See also: - Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings and - Preservation Brief 8: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding o n Historic Buildings ; The Appropriateness of Substitute Materi als for Resurfacing Historic Wood Frame Buildings - Preservation Brief 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork 34 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Most non ‐masonry, pre ‐1945 dwellings are generally of frame construction clad with wood siding in any of a vari ety of shapes. Th ese include horizontal weatherboard or clapboard siding, drop siding and wood shingles. They were sometimes used in combination. 35 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Section II: New Construction Guidelines T he following section contains guide lines that address appropriate new constructi on, including additions and new, infill buildings. These guidelines provide important information to insure that the characteristic scale, rhythm, setbacks and massing of the districts are preserved and enhanced. 36 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Additions Construction of new residen ti al or commercial additions should be avoided and only done when needed. Additions are acceptable when they are clearly differentiated from the historic building and in such a way not to change, obscure, damage or destroy the char acter defining features of the historic building. Additions should be sited at rear or side façades so as not to detract from the primary façade when seen from the street. The design of the addi tions should have a minimal impact on the building’s overall character. A. Additions s hould be located at the rear or less visible sides of buildings. B. Additions shall compliment the original building in size, scale, design, materials, and placement. C. Additions shall be of a compatible design in keeping with the original building de sign, roof shape, materials, color, and the location of windows, doors, cornice heights, etc. D. Additions shall not imitate an earlier historic style or architectural period. E. Additions shall be compatible with the scale and siting of adjacent buildin gs located on the same block as well as those on the entire facing block. F. Additions should be constructed so as not to damage or destroy significant original features, and to avoid removal or loss of historic materials. G. Additions should minimally impact the exterior walls of the original building, so that the addition could be removed without damage to the basic structure and appearance of the build ing. Building additions should use existing door and window openings whenever possible for connecti ng the addition to the building. H. No portion of an existing building shall be removed, if such removal would destroy important character defining details and features of the building. I. Additions shall not destroy original landscape elements situated on the building’s lot at the primary facades. See also, Preservation Brief 14: New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings 37 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Decks Decks were generally not used prior to 1945 on homes and are not appropriate additions on the front facade or other visibl e locations of a dwelling. Deck railings should be in forms appropri ate to the architectural style of the dwelling. (See section on porches). More appropriate outdoor sitting areas for back yards of traditional architec tural styles are stone or brick te rraces or patios next to the house or built under the shelter of a large tree. Summer houses or gazebos especially popular in the lat ter half of the 19th century; and pergolas, either attached to the house or freestanding, which were popular after the tur n of the century may also be an appropriate alternative to a deck. A. Decks shall be located at the rear of buildings or areas not visible from the street. B. Decks should be stained with an opaque stain (not clear) or painted to blend with the colors of the building. (See Paint Section) C. Decks should be kept simple in design. Wood decks with traditional style wood balusters and rails com plimentary to the style of the build ing are recommended. (See Porch Section) Inappropriate deck rails and balus ters 38 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines New Garages and Outbuildings Secondary buildings include garages, sheds, and other outbuildings. New construc tion of secondary buildings such as garages and sheds is acceptable as long as they are appropriate in design and sited in traditional loca tions. Construction materials should be similar to those of the primary dwelling. A. Secondary buildings shall be smaller in scale than the primary dwelling. B. Secondary buildings should be built at traditional locations for outbuild ings in the local ly designated districts. These include at rear lot lines, adja cent to alleys, and at the rear side of a dwelling. C. Secondary buildings shall be compat ible in design, shape, materials, and roof shape with the associated primary building. D. Exterior m aterials of secondary build ings should match or be compatible with those of the primary building. E. For garage doors, wood paneled doors are appropriate. Paneled doors of vinyl, aluminum, or steel are not appropriate. Wood paneled overhead roll ‐up door s are widely available and are appropriate for new garages.39 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Roofline Additions Roofline additions of dormers can be used to create livable space in attic or upper floors of residential buildings with sloped roofs. It is important when considering a roofli ne addition to remember the guidelines for additions in general in regards to addi tions. Additions that will affect roof forms should be placed so as to minimize their impact as viewed from the street. Often commercial buildings have a low slope roof th at appears flat from the street. Additions to flat roofs should not be visible from grade. A. Roofs shall not have new dormers, roof decks, balconies or other addi tions introduced on building fronts unless it is stylistically appropriate. These additions may be added on the rear or sides where not visible from the street. B. Additions to flat roofs should not be visible from grade. Dormer addition on rear roof 40 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Infill Buildings It is important that new con struction in commercial and residential a reas compliment the existing buildings. New infill construction should be compatible with the existing, in massing, setback, roof forms, materials, window and door rhythm or placement, and for residential properties, porch location and scale. Commercial b uildings typically extended across the entire lot width and taken together made a single street façade composed of regular rhythm of bays and window openings. When one or more of these lots are vacant, infill construction is encouraged in order to make who le the street façade. New infill construction should re spond to the specific site and setting and maintain the existing pattern of buildings along the block on both sides of the street. The new design should be compatible with the exist ing context in the following ways: 1. Site: the established setbacks, place ment on the lot and street orientation 2. Shape: the massing of forms of the neighboring properties including roof shape and pitch. 3. Scale: the elements of the facade that define the building’s scale such as height, roof, windows and doors 4. Proportion: rhythm of the lot widths and features including entrances, win dows, doors, etc. 5. Materials 6. Color and textures Existing pattern of residential building setbacks Appropriate commercial infill Inappropriate commercial infill Infill buildings should appear similar in width to the historic buildings on the block. Traditionally, buildings were built in 20 to 25 foot increments, new buildings should reflect this pattern. Wider buildings should be divided into modules of similar widths. 41 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Section III: Site and Setting Guidelines The Village of Pla infield’s potential Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks were developed from the mid ‐19th through the mid ‐20th centuries. Most blocks in the Districts retain their original character of site and setting. In residential neighborhoods dwellings were bui lt with consistent street setbacks and with front yards for landscaping. Typically , the house’s porch and main entrance were oriented towards the street. Blocks were laid out with similar lot dimensions and distances between houses, creating a consistent r hythm and pattern in the location of buildings and the intervening spaces. In the downtown areas, commercial buildings were laid out and built to form a continuous façade close to the sidewalk. The consistent setbacks and similar lot widths set up the rhyt hm of the streetscape in these com mercial blocks. These streetscape characteristics in the Districts should be preserved and maintained. The following guidelines provide information on changes and alterations to a property’s site and setting that cou ld af fect not only its architectural appearance but also that of the District. See also, Preservation Briefs No. 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes Map excerpt shows consistent setbacks and location of outbuildings at rear lots and along alleys 42 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Fences and Walls Wood picket and plank fences and cast iron fences were widely used i n residential areas before 1945 to separate lots, outline front yards, and enclose domestic animals and pets. However, few , if any origi nal cast iron fences remain standing. More recently chain link fences and other designs in wood have become popular bu t these are non ‐historic fence materials and are not acceptable. Historic fences should be pre served and maintained. The construction of new fences based upon historic designs and materials is appropriate. In addition to the Fence Pro visions of the z on ing c ode the following apply. A. Fences of cast iron or other original materials should be preserved. B. Fences of cast iron when appropriate to the architectural style of the build ing may be added. C. Fences of chain link, poured concrete, concrete blo ck, or wood in basket weave, louver, horizontal board, lattice, sto ckade or shadowbox designs should not be visible from the street. D. Walls of free ‐standing brick are gener ally not appropriate in front yards but are acceptable at rear yards and side y ards not visible from the street. E. Traditional plantings such as hedges and shrubs are acceptable as alterna tives for fences in historic districts. Fences in Front and Side Yards F. Fences of wood pickets or balusters are appropriate for front yards. S uch fences shall be painted or stained as appropriate . Pickets or spindles should be no wider than four inches, and be set with top and bottom rails and may have a bot tom baseboard. Fences in Rear Yards G. Fences can be constructed in the same low fenc e design found in the front yard. H. Fences of wood boards or planks for privacy should be located in rear yards and should be no taller than six feet. Boards should be no more than six inches wide. Privacy fences of flat, vertical boards with flat tops a re most appropriate for the historic districts. Vertical boards topped with lattice or pickets are also appropriate. 43 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Fences and Walls Appropriate Front Yard Fences: Ina ppropriate Front Yard Fences: Shadowbox Balusters and spindles Horizontal Basket weave Simple Picket Horizontal board Lattice Stockade Tulip ‐top Picket Louver Split ‐rail with bracing (May be appropriate in rural locations) 44 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Fire Escapes and Secondary Exits A. Fire escapes and secondary exits shall not be added unless they are required by fire or safety codes. B. Fire escapes and secondary exists should be removed when no longer required by code. C. Fire escapes and secondary exits should be located where they will not be visible from the street. D. S econdary exits placed on the exterior should be of wood construction with simple balus ters and handrails. Metal fire escapes may be installed if they are not visible from the street. Within municipalities many buildings have been converted into duplexes or apartments. These build ings often have fire escape and/or secondary exits to meet fire and safety codes. See also, Preservation Briefs No. 32: Making Historic Properties Accessible 45 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Landscaping Landscape treatments should be appropriate to the era of the building and the distri ct. Landscape features that were not featured during the his toric period of the buildings do not contribute to the over all harmony of the setting. A. Landscaping designs and materials that reflect the landscape features and plant materials appropriate to the building’s period of significance shall be used. B. Yard areas visible shall have appro priate ground cover; such as lawn or small perennial ground covers. C. Landscaping plants and materials shall not be placed where limbs and roots will damage his toric structures, or prevent water from draining away from the foundation. D. Areas around trees can be covered with lawn, ground cover, or organic mulch. E. Ground cover of crushed gravel or ag gregate shall not be used except in the immediate areas of downspouts. F. Larger stones can be used for grade changes, and in the limited areas where traffic inhibits plant growth. See also, Preservation Brief 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes 46 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Mechanical Equipment, Dumpsters and Other Equipment Air conditioni ng and heating units often require condens ers and other mechanical units to be placed within a few feet of the exterior side of a building wall. Temporary construction dumpsters are exempt from these Guidelines. A. Ground mounted equipment and dumpsters on the sides of build ings visible from the street shall be screened preferably with shrubbery, but fencing or latticework appropriate to the style of house is also accept able. Ground mounted heating and cooling units, exhaust fans and dump sters shall no t be located in the front of a building. B. Mechanical equipment such as gas meters, DBS satellite dishes, and other equipment shall be located on the rear or side of a building not visible from the street. C. Window air ‐conditioners, exhaust fans and he at pumps should be located on the rear or sides of dwellings rather than on the front. The installation of such units should not result in the removal or replacement of the original window sash or surround. D. Additional electrical, telephone, tele vision or computer cables or conduits shall not be attached to the primary fa cades of a building. E. Window air conditioners, exhaust fans or heat pumps should not be installed in the primary facades. 47 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Parking The Village of Plainfield was largely platted an d de veloped in the days of horse drawn vehicles and in the early days of the automobile. Some streets were laid out with rear alleys. Garages and carriage houses were gener ally located directly adjacent to the alleys or in rear yards served by a driveway . Many of these original early outbuildings were replaced or converted to garages. Today, vehicular access to historic houses is by driveways off the street or through rear alleys. The addition of garages and parking places in areas other than rear yard s is not consistent with traditional streetscape design. Rear yards were not paved for unenclosed parking areas. The intent of these Guidelines is to provide for residential and commercial parking without altering the historic streetscape, or creating situ a tions where historic side and rear yards are eliminated. By limiting the paved areas, damage to historic buildings due to storm water runoff is also mitigated. A. Front yard areas shall not be paved, covered with blacktop or transformed into an area fo r surface parking lots. Unpaved areas of a lot shall not be paved without the submission of an acceptable plan approved by the Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission. New parking lots incompatible with the character of the neighborhood shall not b e introduced. B. New off ‐street parking areas, for residential and commercial properties shall be landscaped around the perim eter of the parking area for screening purposes, and a landscape plan shall be submitted for approval indicating the species, age , and location of the planting material. C. When existing off ‐street parking areas are resurfaced, they shall comply with the provisions of the above new off ‐street parking areas. D. Driveways shall be limited to a single lane where visible from the str eet, and allowed to increase towards the rear of the lot where it shall be screened with landscaping or other approved materials. Exceptions are if the driveway was originally two ‐lane, or if the length does not a llow the curvature from one lane to two. Th e original driveway design, material, and placement, where known, should be preserved. E. Driveways in the front or side yard should be of brick, concrete, or con crete tracks (two parallel narrow strips of concrete with grass in between ‐ also called “ri bbon drives”). Asphalt and textured concrete designed to look like brick pavers are also appropriate materials. F. Driveways shall not be poured closer than six inches to foundation walls as it causes damage to foundations and walls. G. Driveway approa ches shall be limited to single lane widths to increase the parkway landscaping. Widths at side walks shall not exceed 10 feet, and the taper to the road shall not exceed 14 feet. See also, Preservation Brief 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes 48 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Ramps for Accessibility Historic buildings often need to be accessible to the handicapped. Accessibility achieved with the least al teration to important historic features is most appropriate. A. Ramps should be added so that minimal original historic materials ar e removed and that the ramp construc tion is reversible. B. Ramps should be located at the rear or sides of dwellings. If a ramp is placed on the front of a building it should be of wood construction rather than of brick, concrete, or metal. Brick, concr ete, and metal ramps are more acceptable at rear and sides of build ings with interior lots. C. Ramps should be of simple traditional design and configuration or designed to match the original porch railing in materials, dimensions, and detailing. Ramps s hould be painted to match the color of the porch railing or to match the overall paint color of the building. D. Ramps in visible areas should be screened with landscaping. E. When required by code, ra mps shall adhere to applicable historic p reser vation provisions of the accessibility code. See also, Preservation Briefs No. 32: Making Historic Properties Accessible 49 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Sidewalks and Walkways Sidewalks and walkways in historic districts are primar ily of concrete construction. Many of these were poure d in the early 20th century and remain in good condition. The use of concrete is appro priate in the repair, replace ment and addition of concrete sidewalks and walkways. A. Sidewalks and walkways that are original to a dwelling or block should be preserve d and maintained. B. New sidewalks and walkways in the front and side yards that are installed shall match the original in details, dimensions, and placement. C. Sidewalks and walkways of aggregate or pebble ‐surfaced concrete are, in most cases, not app ropriate in visible areas. Smooth poured concrete, stone, brick pavers, or pavers that replicate brick, properly laid, may be used. D. Sidewalks and walkways of asphalt shall not be installed in front yards but may be used in areas not visible from the st reet. See also, Preservation Brief 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes 50 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Swimming Pools, Fountains, Gazebos and Pergolas A. Swimming pools should be located in rear or side yards and screened from street view with fencing and/or landscaping. (See Fences an d Land scaping.) B. Arbors and pergolas unless original to the design shall not be installed on primary façades. Arbors and pergolas shall not obstruct character defining elements on primary or side facades visible from street. C. Accessory buildings, in cluding unen closed gazebos shall not be allowed in front yards. These may be allowed in side or rear yards. The design and architectural details of the gazebo should be appropriate to the architec tural style of the primary structure. See Porch section fo r guidelines of appropriate gazebo styles. D. Fountains or water features are acceptable in rear and side yards. Screening must be used if visible from the street. * appropriate: simple, unenclosed gazebo * Inappropriate: en closed gazebo 51 | Page
Appendix A ‐ Secretary of the Interior's Standards Secretary of the Interior's Standards 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 alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided. 3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Cha nges 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 significa nce in their own right shall be retained and preserved. 5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved. 6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rathe r than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features sh all 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 underta ken 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 integ rity of the property and its environment. 10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. 52
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Section IV Agricultural Structures and Farmsteads The following approaches should be observed when carrying out rehabilitation projects on historic barns and agricultural outbuildings. 1. Preserve the historic setting of the barn as mu ch as possible. Modern farming practices do not require the great number of outbuildings, lots, fences, hedges, walls and other elements typical of historic farms. Yet such features, together with fields, woods, ponds, and other aspects of the farm setting can be important to the character of historic barns. The functional relationship between the barn and silo is particularly significant and should also be maintained. 2. Repair and repaint historic siding rather than cover barns with artificial siding. Si ding applied over the entire surface of a building can give it an entirely different appearance, obscure craft details, and mask ongoing deterioration of historic materials underneath. The resurfacing of historic farm buildings with any new material that d oes not duplicate the historic material is never a recommended treatment. 3. Repair rather than replace historic windows whenever possible, and avoid "blocking them down" or covering them up. Avoid the insertion of numerous new window openings. They can g ive a building a domestic appearance, radically altering a barn's character. However, if additional light is needed, add new windows carefully, respecting the size and scale of existing window openings. 4. Avoid changing the size of door openings whenever possible. Increasing the height of door openings to accommodate new farm machinery can dramatically alter the historic character of a barn. If larger doors are needed, minimize the visual change. Use new track ‐hung doors rather than oversized rolled steel doors, which give an industrial appearance incompatible with most historic barns. If the barn has wood siding, the new doors should match it. If historic doors are no longer needed, fix them shut instead of removing them and filling in the openings. 5. C onsider a new exterior addition only if it is essential to the continued use of a historic barn. A new addition can damage or destroy historic features and materials and alter the overall form of the historic building. If an addition is required, it should be built in a way that minimizes damage to external walls and internal plan. It should also be compatible with the historic barn, but sufficiently differentiated from it so that the new work is not confused with what is genuinely part of the past. 6. Ret ain interior spaces and features as much as possible. The internal volume of a barn is often a major character ‐defining feature, and the insertion of new floors, partitions, and structures within the barn can drastically impair the overall character of the space. Similarly, interior features should also be retained to the extent possible. 7. Retain as much of the historic internal structural system as possible. Even in cases where it is impractical to keep all of the exposed structural system, it may be po ssible to keep sufficiently 53 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines extensive portions of it to convey a strong sense of the interior character. Wholesale replacement of the historic structural system with a different system should be avoided. See also, Preservation Brief No. 20: Preservation o f Historic Barns 54 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Section V Commercial Centers and Storefronts ‐ To be added at a later date 55 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Section VI Signage ‐ To be added at a later date 56 | Page
Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Guidelines Section VII Demolition and Removal ‐ To be added at a later date 57 | Page