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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT -to PROPERTY -- 938 Riverside Drive South Bend, Indiana OWNER -- Jay Tidemarsh DESIGNATION -- RSD-LHD & CP-NRHD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The house at 938 Riverside Drive is located in the Riverside Drive Local Historic District and in the Chapin Park National Register District. It was rated C/9 on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The house is an American Foursquare built c. 1903. It is a two-story clapboard sided building on a brick foundation. It has an open frame porch. The windows are 6/1 and 1/1 double hung. PROPOSED CHANGE The owner proposes the following landscape treatment. Removal of a redwood deck (c. 1960) which is sinking down the riverbank. Removal of concrete steps beneath the deck which are damaged due to erosion and replacement with railroad ties or if feasible, concrete steps. Addition of a dogear picket fence in the same style as the fence located along the eastern property line from the rear of the garage to the western property line. The fence will have a locking gate for access to the river. Possible removal of the oak tree in the center of the deck. Once the deck is removed, the tree cutter will determine if the tree is able to remain viable. It may not be necessary, but the owners seek approval now to cut the tree down so that they do not have to come back to the Commission for approval. Addition of a railroad tie retaining wall about 2 feet behind the garage from the eastern property line to the new steps. If the oak needs to be cut down, the request would be to continue the wall to the western property line . Plant the area shaded green on the attached diagram in accordance with the landscape plan of Foegley Landscape. STANDARDS I.B.(1) Plants, trees, fencing, walkways... which reflect the property's history and development shall be retained. II.B.(2)New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. II.B.(3)Tree and landscaping material that must be removed shall be immediately replaced by suitable flora. II.A.(4) If erosion control efforts become necessary to preserve the riverbank, they should involve processes and materials consistent with the natural beauty of the banks. II.A.(5)Dead and diseased material should be selectively removed. RECOMMENDATION The staff recommends approval of the applicant's proposal for the removal of the deck. The deck does not contribute to the history of the property and it's position over the eroded bank makes it