03-12-12 Council Agenda & Packet

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ORDINANCE NO, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE KEOGAN "HOBBIT"HOUSE AND LOCATED AT 1922 PORTAGE AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The building located at 1922 Portage Avenue (the "Property"), in the City of South Bend, Indiana, is known as the Keogan "Hobbit" House, in part by its association with George Keogan, famed Notre Dame coach and in part due to the structure's unique design and construction. The owner of the Property has petitioned the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County (the "Commission") to have the Property designated as a Historic Landmark pursuant to South Bend City Ordinance No. 5565-73, as amended. The Property is located within the proposed Woodlawn-Kessler Historic District, in the northwest section of South Bend. The home was built in 1928 and is recognized in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory of South Bend with a rating of "Notable" meaning that the property is above average and that further research may reveal that the Property is eligible for National Register listing. The staff of the Commission has prepared a report and recommendation for the Commission. The Commission has reviewed the request and the Consent of the owner and has heard and discussed the recommendation of the staff for the designation of the Property as a Historic Landmark. Based on the HPC's Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted by the Common Council, the site at 1922 Portage Avenue has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by the Historic Preservation Commission. The building meets the criteria in at least three areas. 1. Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent an architectural characteristic or innovation.