design elements - San Jacinto Texas Historic District

CORRIDOR STANDARDS
The San Jacinto Texas Historic District Corridor Standards are intended to guide the design, construction, and
maintenance of all visible public landscapes within the District. This includes roadway corridors - freeways,
main streets, and local roads. It also includes feature sites - community gateways, historic sites, EPICArt sites,
and Project Stars locations. The Standards include elements that cities, the county, and private developers
can refer to when planning new development, and a list of architectural, lighting, and landscaping themes
that refl ect the San Jacinto Texas Historic District.
The Corridor Standards were developed with a process specifi cally
structured to tailor nationally-recognized, leading edge landscape and site
development practices to local conditions, character, and qualities unique
to the District. This process began with the identifi cation of stakeholders
- representatives of the diverse backgrounds and interests of the people
served by the public realm in the District. Workshop meetings, a narrated
bus tour of prominent cultural and historic sites, listening sessions, and
two open houses provided a two-way dialogue to help understand the
context and priorities for the Standards, and to describe the potential
long-term value created through the integration of restorative, sustainable
materials and practices.
Early in the process, a set of guiding First Principles were articulated,
which identify the qualities and values of the District that the Standards
are meant to support. Then, a draft set of guidelines were identifi ed,
prioritized, and refi ned. Following review and discussion, a fi nal set of
standards were described and illustrated. The diversity of the sixteen
communities and other agencies in the District requires these corridor
standards to provide an illustrative vision yet also create the opportunity
for those entities to individualize community character.
10 │ INTRODUCTION
This document includes three primary components that, in combination,
provide guidance to achieve the District goals.
Design Scenarios
A set of Design Scenarios intended to help illustrate the application of the
standards in typical situations and contexts.
Design Elements
Design Elements refer to materials, pavements, plantings, furnishings,
and details that refl ect local spirit and character.
Best Practices
Best Practices describe how and why the recommended strategies and
materials provide benefi ts, performance, and aesthetics that support
District goals.