Design Standards, City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission

From introduction: "Cape May offers a rare, full-scale dictionary of architectural styles spanning 250 years of development as a resort destination. From the rustic, mid-eighteenth century Cape Island, through the Queen of Seaside Resorts in the second half of the nineteenth century, to the current mix of high-style and vernacular architecture from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Cape May is the repository of a unique architectural history. It is home to much more than one of the largest collections of nineteenth-century frame buildings in the United States; it is a palpable architectural record of the evolution of an inimitable seaside resort over two-and- a-half centuries. In the past quarter-century, preservation efforts, combined with the offering of cultural and historical activities and events, have increased visitation, and contributed to the economic prosperity of the City of Cape May. The restoration of many high-profile nineteenth-century homes as Bed and Breakfast inns, guesthouses, restaurants and shops contributed to this success, but the visitor’s experience of Cape May is not specific to these individual structures. The Cape May Historic District is exceptional because of its distinctive architectural character as a whole. It is a mix of individual commercial and residential buildings, simple or elaborate, all related by scale, proportion, building materials and streetscape that weave a common thread through a heritage that spans centuries and a vast array of styles and features... Economic success has meant intensified traffic and pressure for new construction, demands that are a challenge to the proper stewardship of the historic fabric of Cape May. Sustained collaborative efforts from the public and private sectors will be required to allow for Cape May’s continued growth while preserving its rich architectural heritage. The Cape May Historic Preservation Commission assists in this matter by issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness before a permit is issued or work can commence within a Historic District or a Historic Site, if the work involves demolition, exterior alterations to a building or site, additions or new construction. The design standards published in this book have been developed to provide information and direction to property owners and residents of Cape May who want to proceed with work that will be subject to review by the Historic Preservation Commission. This publication provides a summary inventory of the architectural styles, and their significant features, prevalent in Cape May, standards for appropriate and inappropriate treatments for the more common exterior rehabilitation projects, and illustrations of the do’s and don’ts for such projects. The standards provide the framework on which property owners should base the design of proposed work, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Cape May administered by the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Design Standards, City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission

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