York Historic Downtown Façade Design Standards

From Introduction: "The purpose of this document is to help preserve the historic character of York's downtown by retaining historic building and features while ensuring that new construction and additions are compatible with their historic surroundings. Commercial properties within the York Historic District have unique features that make up its historic character. By managing changes to the exterior of properties within the historic downtown, the people of York can help to ensure that the distinct character of the district remains intact. This document was created as the first step in establishing a commercial façade grant program for the City of York. These Standards are intended to provide a clear framework for making sure that changes to the exterior of properties within the downtown section of York's historic district are made appropriately and consistently. This ensures that changes to individual properties do not negatively impact surrounding properties or the overall character of the neighborhood. Maintaining a neighborhood's historic character has social, economic, and environmental benefits beyond achieving a particular aesthetic appearance. The following Standards are based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and supported by Powers and Duties of the Commission in the City of York's Zoning Ordinance. This document provides guidance on maintaining, repairing, and when necessary, replacing historic features on commercial properties within York's historic district. ...This document is meant to serve as an appendix to the current York Historic District Construction Design Standards (HDCDS). It contains more detailed guidance for commercial properties located within the downtown portion of York's Historic District. If there is any conflict between the HDCDS and this document, the most stringent standards apply as interpreted by the City of York. ...This document also serves as a guide for anyone planning to make exterior changes to a property within the downtown area of the City's historic district. Applicants who consult this document and seek guidance from the staff at the Planning & Development Department during the planning stages of their projects may be more assured that their proposals will comply with the City's preservation ordinance and will be approved by the Board of Architectural Review...." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, Department of Archives and History, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P19AF00194).

York Historic Downtown Façade Design Standards

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