Setting

The setting of a house – how it is located on and sized to fit a lot – should also be compatible with the rest of the historic district. All of the homes in Freeland are one story in height and positioned relatively close to the street. They are fairly evenly spaced, and as a result, the neighborhood feels open, rather than crowded.

When considering a building project within the Freeland Historic District, please refer to this chart. It shows which setting-related elements are compatible and which are not. Definitions of common terms can be found in the glossary.

 

 CompatibleIncompatible
Driveways
  • Located to the side of the house on interior lots
  • Connected to the side street on corner lots
  • Parking pads in front of the building
Garages and Carports
  • Located in rear half of the lot; often fully or partially obscured visually by house in front
  • Attached to the building
  • In front of the house
Height
  • One- to two-story additions
  • Typical overall height less than 30 feet
  • Finished attic space with dormers on existing houses or one-story additions
  • New construction overall heights greater than 20 feet
  • New construction of two or more stories



Houses in Freeland are similar in size. They are set back at a consistent distance from the street. This creates a regular rhythm to the neighborhood. Front yards are fairly small; they are not enclosed with fences.

Freeland, like many suburbs of its time, was built to encourage interaction with neighbors. Almost every house has a front porch. Short concrete, brick or stone walks connect the front porch to the public sidewalk.

The streets in this neighborhood are relatively narrow, so off-street parking is essential. Garages or carports are detached, located behind the house at the rear half of the lot, and accessed via driveways.