Infill Construction

The construction of new buildings on vacant lots downtown should be encouraged. New buildings should strive for excellence in design whether small, individual infill construction within the existing downtown blocks, or larger, independently sited projects.

Located within the context of an existing architectural setting, the design of new buildings should respond positively to the physical character of the downtown; both the buildings and the landscape. Since a good new design which responds positively to its surroundings can be done in a number of ways, it is not possible to develop specific interpretations which will apply in all cases. Every site has its own design opportunities. However, as a guide, the guidelines below should be followed.

The construction of new buildings on vacant lots downtown should be encouraged. New buildings should strive for excellence in design whether small, individual infill construction within the existing downtown blocks, or larger, independently sited projects. Located within the context of an existing architectural setting, the design of new buildings should respond positively to the physical character of the downtown; both the buildings and the landscape. Since a good new design which responds positively to its surroundings can be done in a number of ways, it is not possible to develop specific interpretations which will apply in all cases. Every site has its own design opportunities. However, as a guide, the guidelines below should be followed.
Fig. 29 – Existing are Similar in Arrangement	Fig. 30 – New Façade as a Series of Bays
Fig. 31 – New Façade Fills Opening	Fig. 32 – New Building Facades
Guidelines: A new building's facade should not pretend to be historic by adding time period details in an attempt to blend with the existing environment. This "applied style" approach will only detract from the character of the downtown by compromising what is truly historic. Most buildings downtown share a general similarity in height which should be respected by new buildings. Extreme differences in building heights will have a detrimental visual effect on the appearance of surrounding property. A new building should reflect the existing rhythm, proportion, scale and massing of the buildings in the area and their relationship to the site. For example, if an infill site is large, the mass of the facade can be broken into a number of small bays. New buildings should respect the established setbacks and the spacing between buildings. The form of the roof and cornice treatment of new buildings should respect the established context. The size and proportion of window and door openings should be similar to those on surrounding facades. The same applies to the ratio of window area to solid wall for the façade as a whole. A new building's facade should be composed of materials, textures and colors, which compliment adjacent facades. New building details and decorations should relate to the details and decorations of the existing surround buildings.