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0 , j <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT <br />PROPERTY -- 944 Riverside Drive <br />South Bend, IN <br />OWNER -- David Betson & Jennifer Warlick <br />DESIGNATION -- RSD -LHD, CP -NRHD <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE /HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />This Dutch Colonial Revival house was built in 1903 for Charles P. Drummond <br />and was designed by W.W. Schneider. Mr. Drummond was an attorney and served on <br />the Board of Education between 1916 -1920. The house has undergone alterations <br />including the addition of aluminum siding. The rear of the structure overlooks <br />the St. Joseph river and the property possesses several significantly large <br />oak trees. <br />PROPOSED CHANGE <br />The owner proposes to remove two dying oak trees, one from the rear of the <br />house that has been encircled by a patio, and one on the East side of the <br />house. <br />STANDARDS <br />I.B.2. Recommended - Plant materials and trees in close proximity to buildings <br />that are causing deterioration to the building's historic fabric should be <br />removed. However, tree and landscaping elements that must be removed shall be <br />immediately replaced by suitable flora. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />The two trees in question are part of the Riverside Drive Oak stand as <br />identified in the Historic Trees Pilot Survey for South Bend's Local Historic <br />Districts. This configuration of Oak trees pre -dates the oldest construction <br />in the district. The recommendation in the Survey was for the protection and <br />preservation of this historic landscape feature. <br />The tree on the East side of the house has lost approximately 50% of its crown <br />on the east side. The tree encircled by the patio has been damaged by the <br />construction of the house and patio. According to Custom & Moore Tree Experts <br />Inc. and Plum Creek Tree Care, the failure to remove these trees would likely <br />cause property damage to the other trees, landscape or the house. With such an <br />unwelcome prognosis, staff recommends approval. <br />According to standards, when trees are removed, they should be immediately <br />replaced with suitable flora. The replanting of a tree in the patio seems <br />undesirable since it would likely suffer the same fate as the current tree. <br />According to David Duncan of Custom & Moore, replacement of the tree on the <br />East side of the house with the same species is inappropriate due to lack of <br />canopy space. He suggested if a replacement tree is desired, a compatible <br />species such as dogwood or hawthorn would be appropriate. <br />CAA <br />4/11/95 <br />