Urban Design Guidelines - Town of Caledon

EXISTING IMPROVED FACADE,Queen Street2.1.3. Façade ImprovementThe façades of commercial and mixed usebuildings should complement the character ofhistoric core, with particular attention paid tooverall scale, the nature of window openings,material selection, integration of signageand lighting. Building style could includecontemporary treatment respectful of thehistoric character of the core.Background – Some commercial buildings alongQueen Street have recently been renovated. These kindsof initiatives are very good and should be encouraged.However, many other buildings have had poor upkeepingover the years, or have been repeatedly altered in a waythat hides the original façade.Guidelines■■■Maintain original façade components and materialswherever possible. If components are damaged,repair is visually and economically preferable toreplacement;If replacement is required, replicate original partsand materials;If replication is not possible, substitute with materialssimilar to the colour, texture, dimensions, proportionand design of the original;■■If major work like expansion or subdivision is to bedone, do not irrevocably change the original building(s). Leave as much of the original as possible,working around it rather than removing it. This willalso leave more options open in the future;An attractive, well maintained façade is the mosteffective form of store identification and advertising.Improperly located signs, which are excessive inscale and poorly maintained, are visible in manyfacades in the core:• Remove all large, projecting signage.Remove all other overly large andinappropriately located signage.• Use no more than one large sign perstorefront. It should be flat and located onthe signboard above the entrance. Signagelettering should be simple and straightforward. If more signs are needed, use nomore than 2 additional small signs.29URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINESFINAL Bolton CIP Urban Design Guidelines | April 2009