The purpose of the Old Town design standards is to respect and enhance the character of Talent’s original core areas while maintaining the city’s traditional, rural, vernacular architectural heritage. The Old Town area has been the commercial and residential heart of the community since Talent’s settlement and it is the intent of the city to retain a strong connection with that history as new construction, alteration, or additions to existing structures occur.

Building upon previous studies in the city and the adopted historic element “A” of the comprehensive plan, the Old Town design standards are based upon common architectural designs, materials, and other built characteristics typical of Talent’s original building forms. Using these historic models as a template for new construction allows growth and development that respect Talent’s history and build upon our quality of life. It is not the intent of the design standards to freeze time and halt progress or restrict an individual property owner’s creativity, but rather to guide proposals and provide a set of parameters for new construction and remodeling within the Old Town design district to assure compatibility with and respect for their surroundings.

Design review procedures are described in Chapter 18.175 TMC.

The following standards shall be used as part of the land use approval process when new development and exterior renovation are proposed in the Old Town design district. Applicants shall demonstrate compliance with the design standards in order for the review body to approve the proposal. The appeal process is found in Chapter 18.175 TMC. [Ord. 851 § 1; Ord. 817 § 8-3K.110, 2006.]