The Cape Charles Historic District Review Board voted this week to approve the revised version of the Historic District Guidelines. This is the first update to the guidelines which were first produced in the 1990’s. The guidelines act as the definitive reference for renovation and construction in the historic district. The major purpose is to manage and protect the historic integrity of structures in Cape Charles.
The revision focused on updating and tightening some language, attempting to remove as much ambiguity as possible. Major themes covered by the revision focused on the use of vinyl and fake products in new and old construction, woodwork, masonry and windows.
A section on signs has been removed from the document. Planner Larry DiRe explained that the new sign ordinance more thoroughly handles the use of signage in the historic district, and more close follows language changes the came about after the Supreme Court Ruling Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which found that content-based regulation of speech, such as signs, violates the First Amendment.