Washington-Willow Historic District Design Standards 

Project Summary

The Washington-Willow neighborhood was designated as a National Register District in 1980. Due to recent development pressure in the area, residents and property owners contacted the city to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood. In April 2018, the city conducted a survey of neighborhood property owners and received an overall positive response to creating design standards for the neighborhood. In August 2018, the City Council approved budget to hire a consultant to prepare design standards.

This project is intended to result in the adoption of preservation design standards for the neighborhood. The process will emphasize education through public information meetings and workshops for property owners and the Historic District Commission. Public discussion and participation will be integral to creating the design standards that are as “user-friendly” and easy to understand as possible. The project will focus on the following:

• District-Specific Approach: The design guidelines will be prepared with photographs of existing character within the community and the specific historic district.
• Sustainability: Throughout the country historic preservation is increasingly intertwined with a community’s overall approach to “Green” and sustainability practices. Those working in rehabilitation have always been aware of the inherent energy and materials conservation that historic preservation provides.  The design guidelines will place an emphasis on the connection between historic building rehabilitation and sustainability. The guidelines will promote the inclusion of “green” building materials that meet historic preservation guidelines and “best practices”.
• Innovation: The guidelines will examine the potential for innovative designs within the historic district. This effort will include a discussion of different approaches of infill such as “contemporary”, “replica”, and “replica-like”.
• Education: The guidelines will be formatted to provide information on how historic preservation is of benefit to the property owner.
• Communication of Intent: Property owners need to know what is expected of them when they come before the Historic District Commission. The design guidelines will be written with both flexibility and absolutes. The justification for each approach will be clearly communicated.
• User-Friendly Format: The design guidelines are intended to assist property owners with “user-friendly” guidelines with the incorporation of photographs and drawings specific to the neighborhood.