6.8 Residential Structures

· Incorporate existing natural features, such as steep slopes, rock outcroppings, vegetation, and major landforms into the overall site design.

· Avoid the following:

o Level grading of entire lots without respect for exiting landforms or neighboring developments;

o Removal of oaks and other mature trees without careful consideration;

o Blocking existing scenic views; and

o Diverting natural drainage patterns.

· Maintain a linear lot line configuration.

· Establish setbacks similar to the existing setbacks of adjacent properties.

· Orient entry features such as doors, windows, porches, and patios towards the street and maintain compatibility with the architectural style.

· Avoid sight lines into neighboring homes through appropriate placement and location of the home, windows, decks, and patios.

· Respect privacy in the placement of the main residence, accessory buildings, and exterior lighting.

· Orient multi-family residential structures to create outdoor rooms, such as courtyards, connected by landscaped walkways.

· Encourage front porches that are of similar size, location, and orientation to the street.

· Locate garages near the rear of the house or sideways to the street.

· Utilize simple, symmetrical building facades.

· Maintain one to two stories in height.

· Set back upper stories to reduce the apparent overall scale of the building.

· Avoid blank facades, particularly along major streets.

· Incorporate variations in vertical and horizontal planes to reduce scale and massing.