41
Design Standards for Site & Setting
Site Features and Materials Wake Forest’s historic districts and local landmarks are en- hanced by a variety of site fea- tures, landscape elements, and plantings. Historic landscapes and plantings compliment the historic architecture and add to the community’s sense of place. These features include both natural and man-made elements. Examples of natural features include historic trees and tree canopy, native plant- ings, topography, and rock or stone formations. Man-made features include building place-
The planted median, complete with granite curbing, are part of the historic streetscape on North Main Street.
ment, walls, fences, gardens, granite curbs, medians, and street furniture. New features can be introduced provided they are compatible with the character of the district and don’t portray a false sense of history. The retention of street trees is essential to maintaining the character of the historic district. The mature trees that provide the canopy over streets such as North Main are beginning to age out. In order to maintain the tree canopy, it is important to plant new trees that will maintain and perpetuate the canopy. The Town will plant trees in the public right-of-way but that will only shade part of the street. Private property owners are encouraged to replace trees when they are removed to preserve the historic canopy. Plantings were added by different generations and are part of the history of the house, building, or neighborhood. Period appropriate plantings should be considered when planning a project. The standards on the following pages will ensure that alterations to historic site features and plantings are in keeping with the special character of the historic district or local landmark. Design Standards for Site Features and Materials 1. Identify, retain and preserve historic site features and materials including plantings, circulation patterns, trees, tree canopy, shrubs, parks, green spaces, historic gardens, fences, walls, topography and terraces that contribute to the character of the historic district or local landmark. a. Identify, retain and preserve the setback of primary buildings and the space between buildings and lots.
George Davis House, 1905
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online