Design Guidelines Basis
The Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance stipulates that the ARB adopt design guidelines in order to review applications for rehabilitation, new construction and exterior alterations. Section 3100 of the Zoning Ordinance explicitly states that the guidelines will be based upon standards designed to preserve the historic integrity of the district. These standards include:
- Retaining historic identity of buildings, both in materials and physical features;
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- Strive to use a building or other structure for its original purpose or one that requires minimal changes;
- Avoid removing historic features that give character to a building or site;
- Preserve changes that have occurred to a building during different periods of time;
- Protect distinctive examples of craftsmanship, finishes, and materials;
- Repair rather than replace missing features
- Designing new compatible structures that don't create a false sense of history by attempting to look older than they are
- Using non-chemical and non-abrasive treatments in restoration;
- Designing new construction to be compatible and complimentary to the existing character of the historic district
- Protecting and preserving archaeological resources;
- Constructing additions that if removed, do not destroy the integrity of the historic property; and
- Planning site and landscape improvements to complement, not harm, historic structures or sites.
How to Use the Guidelines
Each applicant who is proposing a project in a historic overlay district is required to cite the applicable historic district design guidelines in the application to the ARB. It is important that these guidelines are consulted early in the project planning stages.
The design guidelines for each historic overlay district are available below.
Bull Run Stone Bridge Design Guidelines
Centreville Design Guidelines
Colvin Run Design Guidelines
Dranesville Design Guidelines
Hollin Hills Design Guidelines
Huntley Design Guidelines
Lake Anne Village Center Design Guidelines
Langley Fork Design Guidelines
Mount Air Design Guidelines
Pohick Church Design Guidelines
Robey's Mill Design Guidelines
St. Mary's Church Design Guidelines
Sully Design Guidelines
Wellington at River Farm Design Guidelines
Woodlawn Plantation and Pope-Leighey House Design Guidelines
