Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Character Defining Features topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears detailed guidance on 'character‑defining' features; staff to post PowerPoint and schedule commercial‑building session
Summary
A presenter (Matt) reviewed the Secretary of the Interior definition, walked the commission through local examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Shingle and Craftsman houses, and demonstrated the city's Karma database as a research tool; staff agreed to post the slide deck and plan a follow‑up on commercial properties.
A staff presenter led a detailed briefing for the Historic Preservation Commission on identifying "character‑defining" features of historic properties and how commissioners should use that framing when reviewing applications.
"I was asked to put together something for the commission to uh consider the topic of character defining features," the presenter said, and read the Secretary of the Interior definition to anchor the discussion: "a prominent or distinctive aspect, quality or characteristic of a historic property that contributes significantly to its physical character." He emphasized that character‑defining features can include structures, decorative materials, spatial relationships, views and even vegetation.
Matt illustrated local examples across Bangor City. He used a Somerset Street house to show lost window and door detailing; the Pierce Giddings and Zebulun Smith houses to show Italianate and Greek Revival hallmarks (projecting gables, brackets, heavy entablatures and temple fronts); and Second Empire and Queen Anne local examples to show mansard roofs, scallop‑pattern slates, turrets, patterned shingles and spindle work. He cautioned commissioners that replacing original window patterns, removing cast‑iron details or changing roof treatment can diminish a property's distinguishing qualities.
The presenter also argued that vegetation and street‑level plantings can be part of a district's character. "That vegetation is integral to the experience or the the feeling of that place," a commissioner (Peter) said; Matt agreed and pointed to historic plantings in other cities as examples where trees and planting rhythms contribute to character.
To aid review, Matt demonstrated the Karma property database available through the City's MHPC page, showing survey forms, photos and style notes commissioners can use to compare features across properties. He recommended the Secretary's three‑point approach — distant view, 30‑ft view and arm's‑length view — to document features and suggested commissioners review Karma entries before hearings.
On additions and new work, the presenter noted the local review standards discourage creating faux‑historic copies for new additions and instead encourage designs that are visually distinguishable from the older fabric (for example, a transparent glass connector between old and new). "No phony old," a commissioner agreed; the presenter said using modern materials or clearly differentiated connectors preserves the legibility of historic fabric.
Commissioners asked for the presenter’s slides and a demonstration for commercial properties; Matt agreed to share the PowerPoint and asked staff to post it on the City's HPC webpage. The session closed with administrative scheduling: the commission set a tentative special meeting for September 24.
