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APPENDIX "C" 4-85 PRESERVATION STANDARDS FOR HISTORIC LANDMARKS IN SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Introduction Preservation Standards for historic landmarks are used by the Historic Preservation Commission whenever exterior changes are proposed for officially designated structures. Review is required when proposed plans for building and development indicate the architectural character of the landmark will be changed. These standards are an extension of the present Ordinances X65567-73 and #154A-1973 already adopted to implement a comprehensive program of historic preservation. The present historic preservation ordinances empower the ('.,_),;aission to issue or deny a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition or moving of any landmark. The ordinances also give the Commission the power to establish reasonable and just standards for the preservation of historic landmarks, including architectural treatment, site development and maintenance provisions, providing that the standards are in keeping with the intent of the ordinance and that the standards apply only to the exterior features of the historic landmark. These standards guide the Commission in their review of Certificates of Appropriateness. The two major conditions under which change will occur are maintenance or im- provement and the demolition of an existing landmark. The Historic Preservation Commission has established two levels of preservation standards - Group A and Group B. Group A Standards are the more comprehensive of the two and require that the original character of a building be maintained or restored. Group B Standards require that the building be maintained as is and, if possible, returned to the original. One of these levels will be selected aL the time of designation. Both require a Certificate of Appropriateness before the construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition or moving of any land- mark structure or site. The property owner is responsible for furnishing the Commission with a complete description of the proposed changes. This information may be plans, elevations, specifications, photographs, or other means to accurately describe the project. When an application is being reviewed, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the new work is compatible. T)of:4-; r,., Shall - Defined as an expression of something that is mandatory or must be done. Should - Defined as an expression of obligation, something that ought to be done but that is open to compromise. Group A Standards. • The Commission has the authority to determine the architectural merits and the extent of any proposed treatment, renovation or addition to a historic landmark. The Commission will require drawings, plans, specifications, samples and/or color schemes in detail where appropriate. A. Maintenance The maintenance of any historic structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general cleaning and upkeep of the.