The East and West Residential Treatment Area of Telluride represents distinctive neighborhoods within the community. They contain many features similar to those found in older residential neighborhoods, but are predominantly newer construction. Most of the parcels follow the rectangular grid of streets, which is oriented approximately on a north-south axis. The neighborhoods are composed of rectangular-shaped structures and that are oriented with the short side facing the street. Buildings are relatively small in scale. Entrances, typically defined by porches, face the street, providing visual interest to pedestrians. Painted, horizontal lap siding is the predominant building material for primary structures. Simple gable roofs are predominant.

Re-platting of traditional north/south-oriented lots into east/west configurations has further caused visual discontinuity with the historic district. Alleys subdivide some of the blocks. Other alleys are unsuitable for access due to steep gradients; thus it is expected that primary vehicular access for some lots may be through the front yard.

The East and West Telluride Residential Treatment Area resembles treatment areas inside the historic district in many ways; however, it is also a developing area in which a new context is being established. Portions of these areas were developed early in Telluride’s history, but they remained sparsely built-out until the advent of the ski resort in the 1970s. The town wishes to insure that the neighborhoods appear to have a mass and scale that is visually and functionally related to the older core. It should not appear to be a new subdivision. This is especially important in Telluride where the entire community can be viewed from higher mountain slopes throughout the valley. In order to appear to be related to the core of town, the use of traditional materials, landscaping and building mass and scale must be considered in designs for new buildings.

Because natural site constraints may in some cases prevent projects from reflecting the established site plan and building forms of older residential neighborhoods, certain flexibility is built into the design standards to allow response to individual site conditions. Specifically, there exists some siting opportunities in these areas that do not exist in the older neighborhoods. Differing sizes of lots and setbacks, varying natural conditions and site features, as well as diverse view corridors, all contribute to create these unique siting opportunities. However, it should be noted that whenever feasible, established characteristics of site orientation, street layout and alley orientation found elsewhere in the historic residential areas of Telluride should also be expressed in East and West Telluride.

A goal for the East and West Telluride Residential Treatment Area is to establish a strong sense of place and to ­visually knit the neighborhoods into a cohesive unit. ­Designs therefore will be reviewed for overall compatibility with the neighborhood.