Article X, Section 10-102
Dimensional standards
Servicing
- Geographic extent
- Old and HistoricHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character. Alexandria DistrictZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2. as shown on zoning maps; includes Washington Street corridor and Potomac River Vicinity HeightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. DistrictZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2.
Extracted standards
14 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Commercial bay width range20 ft
Facades of a building generally shall express the 20- to 40-foot bay width typically found on early 19th century commercial buildings characteristic of the Old and Historic Alexandria District
- Bay width in Potomac River Vicinity20 ft
express the 20- to 30-foot bay width typically found within the historic district
- TownhouseTownhouseA single-family home sharing side walls with its neighbours, each on its own lot. bay width range15 ft
or the 15- to 20-foot bay width typically found on townhouses characteristic of the Old and Historic Alexandria District
- Traditional fenestration patterns
Construction shall reflect the traditional fenestration patterns found within the Old and Historic Alexandria District. Traditional solid-void relationships exhibited within the district's streetscapes (i.e., ratio of window and door openings to solid wall) shall be used in building facades, including first floor facades.
- Massing study required for large projects or near residential3,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Applications for projects over 3,000 square feet, or for projects located within 66 feet of land used or zoned for residential uses, shall include a building massing study.
- Building materials requirement
Building materials characteristic of buildings having historic architectural merit within the district shall be utilized. The texture, tone and color of such materials shall display a level of variety, quality and richness at least equal to that found abundantly in the historic setting.
- Maximum building footprint on Washington Street8,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Buildings should appear from the public right-of-way to have a footprint no larger than 100 feet by 80 feet.
- Ornamentation and detail level
Construction shall display a level of ornamentation, detail and use of quality materials consistent with buildings having historic architectural merit found within the district.
Height
- HeightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. requiring special use permitConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. in Potomac River Vicinity30 ft
for any building in excess of 30 feet in height when such height has been authorized by a special use permit.
Other
- Certificate expiration period12 months
Any certificate of appropriateness issued pursuant to section 10-106(A) and any permit to move, remove, capsulate or demolish in whole or in part in the Old and Historic Alexandria District issued pursuant to section 10-106(B) shall expire of its own limitation 12 months from the date of issuance if the work authorized thereby is not commenced and diligently and substantially pursued by the end of such 12 month period
- Certificate of appropriateness required for exterior alterations
No building or structure shall be erected, reconstructed, altered or restored within the Old and Historic Alexandria District unless and until an application for a certificate of appropriateness shall have been approved by the board of architectural review or the city council on appeal as to exterior architectural features, including signs (see Article IX), which are subject to public view from a public street, way or place.
- Demolition exception for small areas25 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
except for demolitions of portions of buildings resulting in the removal of less than 25 square feet total of exterior wall, roof or surface which shall be deemed an alteration
- Permit to demolish required
No building or structure within the Old and Historic Alexandria District shall be moved, removed, capsulated or demolished in whole or in part without first obtaining a permit approved by the board of architectural review or the city council on appeal, except as provided in section 10-111 and except for demolitions of portions of buildings resulting in the removal of less than 25 square feet total of exterior wall, roof or surface which shall be deemed an alteration and subject to section 10-103(A).
- Preapplication conference required for large projects10,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
No fewer than 45 days prior to filing an application for a certificate of appropriateness, an applicant who proposes construction which is subject to this section 10-105(A)(3), shall meet with the director to discuss the application of these standards to the proposed development; provided, that this requirement for a preapplication conference shall apply only to the construction of 10,000 or more square feet of gross building area
From the ordinance
There is hereby created in the city a district to be known as the 'Old and Historic Alexandria District,' the boundaries of which shall be those shown on the zoning maps adopted herewith.