The subject site is located at 264 N Washington Street within the Silk Stocking Historic District neighborhood. The neighborhood, which was developed between 1912 and 1973 and exemplifies the mid-century architectural style, was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. In May 2024, a Historic Preservation District zoning overlay was adopted by the City Council.
The subject property is a bungalow style wood framed home from 1919. The proposal includes a 2,061 sq. ft. addition of an RV garage and a casita with an attached breezeway. In order to preserve and protect districts and sites that represent aspects of Chandler's historical, architectural and cultural heritage, guidelines have been established that address exterior alterations and additions to historic properties. These guidelines supplement the provisions of the City of Chandler's Historic Preservation Ordinance and also act as an aide in determining the appropriateness of new additions, attachments and alterations to designated historic properties.
Additions in compliance with the City's Codes and Ordinances that meet the following guidelines can be reviewed administratively and issued a Certificate of No Effect:
- Located entirely behind the historic structure.
- Will not be visible from the right-of-way and with a roof height lower than the main roof of the historic structure.
- No greater than 75% of the footprint of the historic house.
- Conforms to the Chandler Zoning Ordinance and Construction Codes.
If a proposed addition does not meet these guidelines, a Certificate of Appropriateness issued by the Historic Preservation Commission is then required. The proposed addition at the subject property does not meet this criteria as it is greater than 75% of the footprint of the historic house and the proposed roof height is higher than that of the main house. This addition therefore cannot be approved administratively and requires approval through the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
To obtain approval, the additions should be in conformance with the following criteria (Found on page 16 of attached Historic Preservation Design Guidelines):
Criterion 1: Additions should be designed and located in such a manner that results in the new construction being subordinate to the primary historic property. Additions or changes to the primary historic facades are strongly discouraged. The location or alteration should conform to the setbacks, spacing, alignment and orientation of the historic building and/or historic buildings in its immediate vicinity.
Staff Finding: The addition is subordinate to the primary historic property in that it is located to the rear of the property and the view of the new construction from the front of the home is minimized by the existing historic home. Additionally, the proposed structure conforms to the setbacks, spacing, alignment and orientation of the historic building and no changes are being made to the primary historic facade.
Criterion 2: Additions should be similar in height and width to the historic property. Its form should correspond to the shape, ridge lines and cornice of the main roof. Doors and windows in the addition should be similar in shape and placement to the openings in the historic buildings. Together, the addition's shape, size and openings should create a directional emphasis (horizontal and vertical) that is similar to the historic property.
Staff Finding: The proposed addition is similar in height and width as it is only 2 feet taller than the existing historic structure and will not be significantly noticeable from the street. The form of the addition corresponds to the shape and ridge lines of the main roof.
Criterion 3: Exterior materials should match or be compatible with the surface materials of the historic building. Compatibility is achieved by maintaining the spectrum of materials historically present, corresponding to the unit size of the materials (e.g, bricks, blocks, siding or shingles) of the historic structure or continuing the visual and tactile texture exhibited by the historic materials.
Staff Finding: The materials of the proposed structures consist of stucco, wood framing and shingle roof. The exterior windows, doors and trims match the colors and texture continuing the visual and tactile texture exhibited by the historic materials.
Criterion 4: Projecting elements, such as dormers, porches, or bays, should be similar in location, size, shape and type to those found on the historic property.
Staff Finding: The proposed porch is similar in location, size, shape and type to the porch at the front yard of the existing historic property.
Criterion 5: A transitional element used to distinguish old and new construction is encouraged. The element may be distinguished by its form or use of neutral materials that distinctly differentiates the new construction from the historic building.
Staff Finding: The proposed breezeway is a transitional element that is distinguished by its form and use of a neutral material (wood). The breezeway forms a clear delineation between the new construction and the existing historic building.
Criterion 6: Garage additions can be considered if they are located in the rear or side yard of a historic property. Garage additions can be considered if they are located in the rear side yard or rear yard of a historic property. They shall not be in the front of nor in the same plane as the primary facade.
Staff Finding: The proposed garage addition will be located in the rear yard of the historic property.
Criterion 7: Additions should not imitate or replicate the design of historic properties. The new construction should follow the basic design vocabulary of the historic property, but be clearly distinguishable.
Staff Finding: The addition follows the design vocabulary by matching trims, colors and textures found in the existing historic property while utilizing doors, windows and other element designs that are more reflective of the current time period, distinguishing it from existing historic property.
Planning staff finds that the proposed addition meets the approval criteria and therefore recommends approval, subject to the following condition:
1. Provide wooden slats in the existing wrought-iron fence located on the north side of the property to screen the view of the rear-yard and new addition. Wooden slats must match the slats and design of slats shown in the fence at the south-east portion of the front-yard.
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