Powder Springs Council sets up historic district

Design guidelines for the new Historic Urban Core of downtown Powder Springs were approved on May 4 by a 4-1 vote of the City Council.

Councilwoman Nancy Farmer was opposed.

The city’s Community Development Director Tina Garver will have the authority to review and approve the design of new construction, addition, rehabilitation or a combination for any building construction with the boundaries of the Urban Core.

As early as 1838, the Powder Springs downtown area was established when it first was incorporated as the city of Springville and grew to become a vibrant commercial area in the 1800s with a resort, hotel, retail shops, homes, medical offices and a school.

Guidelines in the city’s Historic Urban Core must be the establishment of:

Architectural Design Style. That style will match the major development pattern of the 19th century to mid-20th century. Construction was primarily of one- and two-story buildings with large plate glass storefront windows to allow natural light. Materials were brick, wood horizontal siding and architectural shingles on the roofs; while some roofs were flat but with a parapet. Homes had large porches with some being two stories.

Building Materials. They will include brick, stone, wood (horizontal siding), glass and cement siding (horizontal siding). Roofing will need to be architectural shingles and flat with an architectural parapet.