§ 35-670. Criteria for Certificate of Appropriateness—Generally.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In reviewing an application for a certificate of appropriateness for properties in the seven (7) river improvement overlay districts, the HDRC shall consider the character and design objectives for each river improvement overlay district, as well as the design standards set forth below. The commission also shall view the river or creek and their improvements as important natural, cultural, and historic resources. A building design or alteration shall recognize and acknowledge its relationship to the river or creek in its entirety. Sensitivity in design and an overall harmonious blending cannot be overemphasized.

(a)

Policy Manuals Adopted. The San Antonio River improvements project concept design guidelines, the Riverwalk policy guidelines, as amended, and the design guidelines for development of properties along the San Antonio River, prepared for the City of San Antonio, and the San Pedro Creek Design Guide are hereby adopted as policy guides for use by the commission and property owners. Copies are available from the historic preservation office.

(b)

Design Objectives for River Improvement Overlay Districts.

(1)

Enhance the pedestrian experience with high quality streetscape designs.

(2)

Design buildings to relate to the pedestrian scale.

(3)

Low impact development (LID) features such as engineered swales, engineered infiltration storm sewer systems, bio-retention, and engineered wetlands are encouraged in all RIO districts. These features may be considered on-site detention features to the extent that they reduce the stormwater runoff expected downstream as a result of such developments.

(4)

Encourage neighborhood and cultural tourism uses as well as infill housing and rehabilitation of existing structures.

A.

Design Objectives for "RIO-1" River Improvement Overlay District - 1.

i.

Maintain the character of existing residential neighborhoods and redevelop commercial nodes.

ii.

Maintain two (2) separate contexts within its boundaries: 1) residential areas and 2) newly revitalized commercial nodes.

iii.

Allow higher density, multi-family residential and mixed-use buildings.

iv.

Preserve existing neighborhoods.

v.

Encourage mixed-use redevelopment of urban character along Broadway.

vi.

Allow for neighborhood-oriented business and redevelopment of the area.

vii.

Redevelop Broadway and Avenue B as urban corridors with consistent street edges.

viii.

Maintain scenic open space and the natural character of the river, particularly through Brackenridge Park.

ix.

Maintain scenic open space and natural character of the river, particularly through Brackenridge Park, so that it is in character with its nearby residential neighbors; residents should be able to easily access this open space while maintaining their sense of privacy.

B.

Design Objectives for "RIO-2" River Improvement Overlay District - 2.

i.

Encourage high-density, mixed-use developments as extensions of the downtown core.

ii.

Extend the urban character of downtown, as perceived from the river, throughout "RIO-2" so that it becomes a high density, mixed-use area.

iii.

Create a positive pedestrian experience as perceived at the street edge.

iv.

Encourage neighborhood and cultural tourism oriented uses as well as those that provide additional housing for downtown workers.

v.

Enhance the pedestrian experience with high quality streetscape designs and links to the public Riverwalk.

vi.

Emphasize the street edge to enhance the pedestrian experience through continuous building walls and well-designed streetscape.

vii.

Link the public Riverwalk with street edges to maintain adequate pedestrian circulation and views of both the street and the river.

viii.

Maximize usable open space to provide opportunities for passive recreation and community gathering.

ix.

Enhance the pedestrian experience with high-quality building designs that include balconies facing the river and primary entrances facing the street.

x.

Design buildings to maintain the human scale of the environment.

xi.

Ensure adequate solar access.

xii.

Use varied materials and forms, including balconies, to provide visual interest.

xiii.

Orient primary building entrances toward the street, but buildings should also have entrances facing the river, which are subordinate in character and scale to street entrances.

C.

Design Characteristics of "RIO-3" River Improvement Overlay District - 3.

i.

The historic work of Robert Hugman, CCC and WPA construction work, Ethel Harris tile work, and work of the National Youth Administration shall be respected and preserved in all construction efforts. Adherence to the intent and spirit of those plans is essential in all construction.

ii.

Traditional, formal street level design precedents shall be respected, but at the river level, the more informal, handcrafted style shall be maintained.

iii.

The integrity of historic properties shall be preserved as provided for in section 35-610. Historic differences between street level designs and river level designs shall be respected.

iv.

The traditional design context of the area shall be respected at two (2) levels: the broader downtown context and the immediate block as it faces the river.

v.

In new buildings that have more than one (1) facade, such as those that face the street and the river, the commission shall consider visual compatibility with respect to each important facade.

vi.

The microclimate of the Riverwalk level shall be maintained and, during construction, shall be given extra protection. Downtown operations staff will be consulted to provide specific instructions for construction procedures.

vii.

Over-crowding of plant life or altering levels of light and water along the river shall not be permitted.

viii.

Enhance the pedestrian experience with high-quality building designs that include balconies facing the river and the primary entrance facing the street.

ix.

Ensure adequate solar access on the Riverwalk.

D.

Design Objectives for "RIO-4" River Improvement Overlay District - 4.

i.

Encourage urban quality mixed-use developments.

ii.

Preserve and enhance historic character as well as emphasize street scene.

iii.

Construct new development that complements nearby historic King William area but does not mimic its style.

iv.

Encourage new development in clustered nodes.

v.

Development nodes should overlook the river, or be located at major intersections.

E.

Design Objectives for "RIO-5" River Improvement Overlay District - 5.

i.

Maintain the residential character of the area while encouraging development of new mixed-use nodes that offer neighborhood shopping and services.

ii.

Respect established neighborhoods in new top-of-bank riverscape designs, particularly recreational opportunities that require parking or transport of recreational equipment.

F.

Design Objectives for "RIO-6" River Improvement Overlay District - 6.

i.

Maintain the historic rural Texas character while encouraging development of new and mixed-use nodes.

ii.

Maintain the natural quality at the top of the riverbank using native plants and minimizing formally landscaped areas. Maintain natural character of river.

G.

Design Objectives for "RIO-7" San Pedro Creek Overlay District - 7.

i.

Additional Neighborhood wide Design Objectives "RIO-7" River Improvement Overlay District-7.

1.

Create a new linear, urban park along San Pedro Creek with distinct character areas that recognize the creeks historic and cultural importance to San Antonio.

2.

Encourage existing and new high quality pedestrian connections between the surrounding neighborhoods and the creek with pedestrian friendly streets, paseos, arcades, tree-alleys, and linear gardens connecting the high and low bank paseos to the surrounding neighborhoods.

3.

Develop a series of mixed-use districts along San Pedro Creek.

4.

Encourage good contemporary architecture and landscape architecture compatible with the historic character of San Pedro Creek.

5.

Encourage sensitive mixed-use buildings along with the reuse and rehabilitation of existing buildings.

6.

Enlarge the perceived boundaries of the linear park with publicly accessible open spaces along the creek right-of-way.

7.

Create unique, memorable places at the creek and street intersections.

ii.

Unique Design Objectives by District.

1.

"RIO-7a" River Improvement Overlay District 7a Design Objectives.

a.

Develop a high-density downtown neighborhood.

b.

Develop Camaron Street as a pedestrian focused, urban street that expands the perceived boundary of the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project.

c.

Provide high quality pedestrian connections between the creek and the following neighborhood destinations:

I.

Central Library.

II.

Southwest School of Art.

III.

Santa Rosa Hospital.

IV.

San Antonio River Walk.

d.

Provide a pedestrian connection from Santa Rosa Street to W. Salinas Street.

2.

"RIO-7b" River Improvement Overlay District 7b Design Objectives.

a.

Develop a commercial, cultural arts, and civic center district.

b.

Connect with the El Mercado Zona Cultural.

c.

Encourage higher-density mixed-use buildings compatible with existing historic buildings and structures.

d.

Interpret the historic ground-plane relationship between the creek and existing pre-1880's structures.

3.

"RIO-7c" River Improvements Overlay District 7c Design Objective.

a.

Develop a new Downtown Core south of the Civic District consistent with the Lone Star Community Plan.

b.

Provide high quality pedestrian connections between the creek and Commanders House Park.

c.

Implement the Lone Star Community Plan.

4.

"RIO-7d" River Improvement Overlay District 7d Design Objectives.

a.

Develop the existing Neighborhood Core as described in the Lone Star Community Plan.

b.

Provide high quality pedestrian connections between the creek and the surrounding neighborhoods.

c.

Provide pedestrian links between the creek and the San Antonio River.

d.

Create a positive pedestrian experience along S. Flores Street.

5.

"RIO-7e" River Improvement Overlay District 7e Design Objectives.

a.

Develop a Mixed Use Transition area as described in the Lone Star Community Plan.

b.

Provide high quality pedestrian connections between the creek and surrounding neighborhoods.

c.

Provide pedestrian links between the creek and the San Antonio River.

d.

Create a positive pedestrian experience along S. Flores Street.

(Ord. No. 95352 § 3 Attachment 2) (Ord. No. 2011-03-31-0240, § 2, 3-31-11; Ord. No. 2016-10-13-0798 , § 1(Att. A), 10-13-16)