Historical September–October 2015 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Historic District Committee has been working for the past year to improve and update the Skinker DeBaliviere-Catlin Tract-Parkview Historic District Ordinance. More than 40 years have passed since it was enacted in 1972 so the time has come to update the ordinance to account for modern construction practices and materials. Neighbors and community members were invited to view the proposed changes and provide comments to the committee at two open house meetings at the SDCC Office on July 14 from 6-8pm, and July 18 from 10am-12pm. Proposed changes to Skinker DeBaliviere Historic District Ordinance include: “Appearance standard” items to be grouped in construction categories, listed in a manner similar to the way these items would be in a construction budget Existing building standards are now separate from new building standards.
The new standard explains the methods and materials for both existing buildings and new construction in greater detail. Commercial construction materials and methods have been blended into the standards for existing structures and new construction. • Skinker DeBaliviere will adopt the City’s solar panel standard for visibility. New solar panels may not be installed on a visible facade. • Tuckpointing/repointing materials and techniques are now elaborated on, included types of mortar to be used, in the new standard. • Paint colors for stucco and cement materials are now addressed. • Preferred methods for closing existing coal chutes are detailed in the new standard. • Security bars on visible windows are now addressed. • Window requirements are spelled out in greater detail, providing for new advances in window construction, including sash repair and replacement. • Porch alterations are given greater detail, including type of materials, type of handrails, front entrance doors and transoms, and providing for accessibility. • Cornice repair now allows for materials other than wood to be used, as long as the material can be painted. • Garage doors that face a visible facade are now addressed. • Building additions on existing structures are now addressed, including standards for additions that will be on a visible facade. • Retaining walls and vegetation are described in greater detail. Chain link fencing on visible facades is no longer allowed. Public sidewalks are described in detail. • The extent of regulation remains the same, in that the standard still applies to visible facades only. • Covering of historic components with maintenance free material is still not acceptable. Vinyl windows remain unacceptable on visible facades. • Standards for demolition remain the same. • New construction may be modern in design but should be proportionate to the surrounding buildings. • Construction materials for new buildings remains consistent with the current standard. • Gutters and downspouts, painting of wood or metal elements, repair of a small percentage of a single element (retaining wall, fence, steps, porches, etc), and repair of flat roofing where no parapet work is required are not regulated by these standards, but still may be subject to a building permit. Copies of the entire proposal are available on the SDCC website, www.skinkerd.org, and copies are available at the Council office. Questions? Contact Nancy Hohmann at nancy.m.hohmann@ gmail.com or the Community Council Office at (314) 862-5122.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2015.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2015_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
