Masonry Magazine September 2012 Page. 50
INDUSTRY NEWS
BBQ Fire Pit Kit - Pavestone
blocks, caps, insert ring, grate,
sand and construction adhesive
Walkway-WalkMaker Form,
Crack-Resistant Concrete Mix,
Liquid Color, PowerLoc and
Jointing Sand
Outdoor Kitchen-Mason Mix,
QUIKWALL, Countertop Mix,
Liquid Color, Cure & Seal, and
"Guide to Concrete" book.
Dickinson, Texas, Embraces Masonry
The Dickinson (Texas) City Council has approved a State Highway 3 zoning overlay district that requires masonry exteriors throughout. State Highway 3 is one of the main north/south arteries within the Dickinson (pop. 18,680) city limits and, often, is referred to as Old Galveston Road, indicating its historic role of linking Houston and Galveston. Most of that traffic now uses IH-45, which runs roughly parallel to State Highway 3.
Dickinson officials envision a new pedestrian-oriented main street developing along and around State Highway 3. The city's new brick and masonry City Hall and library are seen as the anchors for new development in the district. The Overlay District was approved by the City Council on July 24, and took effect on July 28, 2012. The district encompasses 275 square city blocks. The city's official description of the Overlay District states:
"The purpose of the State Highway 3 Overlay District ("District") is to support the creation of an area similar in look and feel to the late-19th and early-20th century historic main streets. It is not the intention of this District to duplicate history, only capture the essence of historical character and use. The architectural features are designed to support the desired type of construction. The District is intended to encourage special attention to architectural details such as building materials, colors, facades, windows, doors, roof lines, parapet design, and other elements used as references or inspiration in creating historical detailing for a building. The District seeks to transition the area from a vehicle-oriented environment to a pedestrian-oriented environment-creating a safe, walkable community. This purpose is achieved by providing regulation both in addition to and, in some cases, in place of, the existing base zoning within the State Highway 3 Overlay District."
The Overlay District specifies brick and tinted concrete block as primary exterior materials throughout the district, and requires 100 percent brick or other masonry in the most visible areas of the district.
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