The Cape Charles Historic District Review Board continues work towards finding an acceptable paint palette for the Historic District that will allow homeowners some individual latitude and freedom of expression, while attempting to maintain the general historic character of the town. The current draft language submitted by staff is printed below, with current changes stricken:
HDRB: painting and color palette guidelines; 2nd DRAFT December, 2016
The color of a building is, perhaps, it’s most dominant visual characteristic. The color of a building can enhance or detract from its own architectural characteristics as well as neighboring structures. Changes in technology and architectural preferences in the mid-to-late 19th century combined to greatly broaden the color spectrum and by the late 19th century there was a preference for a dark color palette. Color preferences changed again in the early years of the 20th century to reflect a lighter color palette.
As part of the Guidelines review process, the Historic District Review Board has developed a suggested Color Chart, which should be consulted to assist in determining appropriate colors for homes in the historic district. The Board strongly urges home and business owners in the district, who will be painting their building to make use of this information.
The Board furthermore activity discourages painting a building, or its trim, a clearly inappropriate color. Examples include but are not limited to:
1) The use of paint to create artificial architectural elements
2) The use of day-glow, neon, metallic colors and colors that, either alone, or in combination, create a
“garish” or a particularly contrasting effect.
3) Avoid repetition of primary colors on the body of the building on a given street and block if at all
possible.
4) The Board also suggests that if planning a dramatic change of color, it may be appropriate to check
with your immediate neighbors.
5) The Guidelines clearly state that in all cases painting a previously unpainted masonry surface, no matter the color, requires review by the Board and a Certificate of Appropriateness.
The Board also strongly suggests painting structures in the district a color appropriate to the historical period and reflective of their architectural style.
In addition, the Board reserves the right to review paint colors in instances where the new color is so clearly inappropriate as to constitute alteration of the architectural character of the building.
About the Author
‘Sheep’ will follow…
Oh my goodness. I’m glad I don’t live there. If you go by their guidelines will they help defray the cost of materials? I didn’t think so..
Americans have been trained at a very early age to be comfortable with a ‘Boss’. Men have been completely emasculated. They grow up longing for a ‘Boss’. Many of these men will allow their wives, daughters, mother-in-laws, supervisors, cops and judges to be their ‘Boss’. It is easy to see how they would allow someone to have the authority to tell them what color to paint their homes.
I only have one ‘Boss’ and he died so that I could be forgiven.