§ 70-300. Color.

(a)

Perhaps one of the most elusive concepts for designers and homeowners who are faced with the selection of color is that of color harmony—combinations and applications of colors that are aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the community character. In an effort to preserve and perpetuate the existing community character of soft pastel colors and varying earthtones, a color selection system for color regulation has been established for the town. It is the intent of this system to encourage diversity and personal choice, but at the same time prohibit inappropriate as well as brash, obtrusive colors (i.e., bright orange, purple, chartreuse) that may not be consistent with the community as a whole.

(b)

The color system may also serve as a guide to the designer or homeowner for color selection. Often a color may look fine as a color sample but may take on an unexpected or even obtrusive color after it is applied over a large surface. This system will not provide a foolproof formula for creating color compositions, but rather a point of departure from which the designer or homeowner can select colors with a much higher probability of success.

(c)

The color selection process developed is intended to be user-friendly and appropriate for the town. The Benjamin Moore "color selector kit" is used as a reference only. The kit was selected based on completeness, ease of use, and availability. The town does not recommend or endorse any specific paint product or manufacturer. The kit, along with the color selection chart located in the Town Hall, shall serve as a basis for comparison, where any paint sample can be compared and classified as approved or prohibited.

(d)

The colors on the color selector kit have been clearly designated "approved" or "prohibited." These distinctions were based on the results of the field survey and principles of color addressing hue, value, and chroma.

Hue. The "hue" is the name of the color. "Hue" and "color" are often used interchangeably, but it is more accurate to use the word "hue", which is only one of the three dimensions of color.

Value. The "value" refers to the lightness or darkness of the color. A high value color would be light while a low value color would be dark.

Chroma. The "chroma" is referred to as the purity or saturation of a color. A high chroma color would be very bright, while a low chroma color would be subdued.

An extensive survey of all residential colors was conducted in January 1995. The survey consisted of a door to door color comparison. All colors were ranked based on hue, value, and chroma. The majority, approximately 90 percent, of the houses in the town ranked in the high to medium-high value range, with low to medium-low chroma. This analysis reflects the pastel colors that are predominant throughout the town. Houses with colors exhibiting either low value or high chroma, or both, that were not typical of the town were used to establish thresholds or in some cases not included as an approved color. For the latter case, the owner would be permitted to keep the existing color until such time as 50 percent or more of the house is to be repainted.