design guidelines
Recommendations for control of new construction, as well as alterations and additions to existing buildings and structures, in historic towns or districts; typically adopted and published by the local regulating agency. See also design controls. 2. a document that guides a design review process for historic preservation commissions, design review boards, architectural review boards, etc. to ensure defensible decisions are made regarding the issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness. Design guidelines ensure proposed changes to properties within a local historic district to not adversely affect the integrity of significance of the property or district. They can cover both commercial and residential property within designated districts. (Bucher, 1996)