Historic Guidelines - City of Melbourne, Florida

REHABILITATION AND ADDITIONS
23
Building Features
Most of the standards included in the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation address
the preservation and maintenance of distinctive architectural elements. An earlier section described
the predominant styles in the Eau Gallie Historic District and listed the main architectural features of
each. Property owners need to identify the style of their homes and then ensure that any changes
to their buildings are consistent with the original style of the structure. The following standards will
ensure that any modification is done in a manner that is sensitive to the historic fabric of the structure.
BUILDING FACADE
1) The distinguishing original characteristics of the façade should be preserved.
2) Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplications
of original features, substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence rather than on
conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements as seen on other buildings
or structures in the area.
3) When rehabilitating a building, an effort should be made to uncover previously encased or hidden
finishes and details such as siding, stone, ornamental plaster or brick, and decorative structural
elements such as pylons, beams and brackets. The encasing of original elements may in many cases
lead to deterioration, and may detract from the building’s overall harmony within the neighborhood.
4) When uncovering original building details, technical assistance from the City’s Historic Preservation
Officer should be sought for proper preservation procedures.
5) Sandblasting or other harsh methods should not be used to remove original materials (see
Maintenance Section later in this Chapter).
DOORS AND ENTRANCES
1) Doors, door details, frames, lintels, fan lights, sidelights, pediments and transoms that are in good
condition or repairable and in character with the style and period of the building should be retained.
2) If doors or door details on principal facades are found to be unrepairable, they should be replaced
with new doors and door details in character with the original structure in material, size and
configuration.
3) Replacement doors should preserve the original opening mechanism.
4) Sliding doors should not be used to replace original side hinged doors.
5) Sliding doors are not permitted in contributing structures, except in a place not visible from the right
of-way.
6) Doors should not be relocated,
enlarged, reduced or introduced,
unless the change is appropriate
to the style and period of the
building.
7) Doors with modern designs,
including flush or sliding glass
doors, should not be allowed.
8) Doors incorporating glass should
be glazed in clear glass with no
more than ten (10) percent
Door with Fan Lights
Door with Sidelights
DRAFT