2.0. HRSR 03-10-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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' • Design Guidelines When we assemble the picture it seems very real, and it might be interpreted by some as exactly what will happen. But conditions will surface that could not have been predicted during the course of planning downtown that might cause an adjustment to the plan. If we think about how downtowns evolve, nothing happens overnight. This is the intention of this plan: to allow down- town to grow and change in ways that are dynamic and responsive rather than ways that are prescriptive. Every project must be considered as a part of the whole to ensure it fits the patterns of downtown, but some latitude should be afforded the individual or group that is undertaking the project. This is where we ultimately develop a richness and character for downtown Monticello remi- niscent of the great towns we all know. So even as the picture seems so real, it can only be a guide. If downtown is allowed to grow and change according to the plan, new buildings will be built that fit overall patterns but still express their own individuality; old buildings will be restored to mark downtown with an integrity of early Monticello; pub- lic spaces will result that focus on the activities of people; and downtown will have a life that springs from the way people do business in Monticello. While not every aspect of development is controlled, and rightly so, the aim of this plan is the restoration of the authenticity of Monticello. It was pointed out by many members of the community during formal interviews and casual con- versations that the current rules discourage appropriate business activities, pre- vent downtown businesses from making improvements that would help their business, and keep worthy businesses from locating in downtown. ipThe need for rules must be recognized, however; this plan establishes "rules" that must be interpreted by the community. In "enforcing" rules for the down- town and riverfront, the most important rule is the Vision statement. In reviewing proposals for the downtown and riverfront, the first criteria is whether the proposal meets the community's intentions as gauged by its vision. The Guiding Principles are the second measure of a proposal's acceptability to the downtown and riverfront. Finally, design guidelines are used to direct a proposal to the best possible "fit." Ultimately, these "rules" might be codified; but to begin, the plan expects the downtown and riverfront to evolve based on the sensibilities of a small town rather than by legislation. The purpose of the design guidelines is to improve or maintain the visual qual- ity of Monticello's downtown and riverfront. In downtown, most commercial buildings were constructed between 1890 and 1920, with brick facades, recessed entries and wide windows to display merchandise and allow natural light to enter storefronts. The second story had tall, sometimes rounded top windows, often with interesting detail. The buildings were capped with a brick or wood cornice, some of which were quite ornate. In the last thirty years the facades of most buildings have been covered by a variety of materials. This plan encourages the removal of those materials to reveal the original building facade. It is often more economical to rehabilitate an existing building than to incur demolition, landfill and new construction costs. It is also possible to replace masonry or architectural detail that may be IPmissing or in disrepair. A New Bridge Revitalizing Monticello's Downtown and Riverfront - Page 3:27