Design Guidelines should be created to work in conjunction with the historic presevation ordinance. These guidelines are a set of standards used when reviewing changes to historic resources. They assist property owners, County staff, and the appointed review board in making recommendations for changes to the property. Design Guidelines are not intended to prevent property owners from making changes to their property. They are meant to ensure that those changes enhance the historic qualities, which are enjoyed by all members of the community and which make an area a special place in which to live and work.
Design Guidelines are formulated in conjunction with an analysis of the architectural characteristics of a local area and should reflect the basic needs of the area in question. These standards address rehabilitation, maintenance, new construction, demolition, streetscape, and signage.
Guidelines should be developed with participation from the community so individuals most affected by the proposed standards (i.e. business owners, house owners, etc.) will be aware of and take part in the producution of such standards.
There are currently 2 cities in Alachua County that have Design Guidelines in place: Gainesville and Micanopy