Sad... Too many of these little treasures are being lost. This is why we need more historic designations/overlays.
If you are concerned about security, I recommend an alarm system, a dog who barks (but doesn't bite), and one of these:
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/pro ... s_id/59353. Crime happens in neighborhoods with garages as well.
Enclosing a carport is one thing, this is a whole other story.
I think the preservation guidelines for the Town & Country neighborhood in Scottsdale explain the negative reaction to your addition.
Guideline 1.2-An addition should be subordinate in scale and character to the main building.
Guideline 1.3-New construction should be set back from the street the same distance as adjacent structures.
Guideline 1.5-Expansions of the existing floor plan should be made at the rear of the house, so as to maintain pattern of building seen from the public right of way.
(Above on page 24 of the document)
Guideline 4-Additions should follow the same pitch/slope and maintain the overall scale and visual effect of the roofline.
(Above on page 26 of document)
Page 32 has some good comments/guidelines on carports and converting them to garages. It emphasizes that the carport opening even if converted should "still [be] visible and [be able to be] read as a recessed space integrated into the design of the house."
Perhaps most important is the guideline on additions at page 33: "Additions should be . . . designed to extend to the side and rear of the property. This will maintain the overall orientation and standard setback, which are important to retaining the planning and site plan that define the neighborhood identity. Additions should not impact the primary facade, or protrude into the defined front yard setback.
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Publ ... ountry.pdfI'm glad that others spoke out about this. I will probably be banned for saying this, but I feel like lately this site has been praising flashy, new, and contemporary modern additions/modifications/remodels and as a result the culture of preservation is being lost. Let's cherish and preserve what we have. Adaptions to present day life that are respectful of the original style and design are possible and probably add more value to the home in the long run.
by Rpuddy on Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:39 pm 
