| SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF DRUID HILLS A COMMUNITY NESTLED IN THE HEART OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA |
Chelsea Heights Character Area and Guidelines
On March 16, 2009, the Historic Preservation Commission incorporated the Chelsea Heights Character Area into the design manual for the Druid Hills Historic District in DeKalb County. Commonly known as “the guidelines,” the design manual provides guidance for restoration, renovation, and construction within the District.
In Chelsea Heights, the strong, horizontal emphasis of the minimal traditional and ranch houses is an important defining character of the neighborhood. Front loading garages and retaining walls also are typical of this area but not the rest of the district. The Chelsea Heights Character Area guidelines ensure compatibility of new construction and additions by continuing the established patterns of building mass and scale, strong horizontal directional emphasis, roof form and pitch, and setback while preserving significant tree canopy in the area. Finally, they encourage creative architectural designs that respect the basic development patterns of the neighborhood but do not dictate architectural models.