Carbondale HPC reviews draft Chapter 4 of Old Town Residential design guidelines

Carbondale’s Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 2 reviewed a draft Chapter 4 of proposed Old Town Residential (OTR) design guidelines, discussing details that Commissioners and the consultant said will guide future infill, additions and accessory dwelling units in the town’s historic neighborhoods.

Susanna (consultant) led the presentation and said she “concentrated on the new chapter 4” and modeled it on Carbondale’s existing HCC zoning format, explaining the draft opens with a district description and a brief advisory box encouraging property owners to follow preservation practices to keep future incentive opportunities available. She summarized the chapter as focused on site layout, building orientation, massing, materials and accessory dwelling units (referred to in the draft as CDUs).

The commission discussed practical and aesthetic guidance the draft proposes. Topics raised included: encouraging alley or side-yard parking rather than front-yard driveways; keeping primary facades facing the street; placing larger new building volumes toward the rear of lots; minimizing long blank street-facing walls; and encouraging street trees and walkways that are friendly to pedestrians and residents with mobility needs. Commissioners urged that suggested walkway materials be broadened to allow ADA-accessible options such as properly graded pavers or other nonmonolithic…