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By the teens almost 80% of the residents were professionals with an unusually large portion of them making their living in the construction industry. The neighborhood was located with in easy walking distance from the streetcar line on Michigan Street, providing transportation to work and shopping. The area continued as a middle-class neighborhood up until the end of the Second World War when a fair share of the houses were slowly converted into rental units. PROPOSED CHANGE (S) The applicant is proposing to plant five purple Ash trees, 2" —2.5" caliper, one to be planted in front of each property. REFERENCE TO GOVERNING STANDARDS: Restoration: Rehabilitation: X The Preservation Guidelines for the North St. Joseph Street Local Historic District: b) ... The Guidelines for the North St. Joseph Street Historic District follow the Rehabilitation Model... I. Environment A. The District Environment Required New plant materials, fencing ... shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood in size, scale, material and color. B. Building Site, Landscaping & Accessories Recommended New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. RECOMMENDATION The owners are proposing to plant five Purple Ash, 2"-2.5" caliper shade trees, to be located on the tree lawns of 612, 610, 524, 520 and 512 N. St. Joseph Street. The Near Northwest Neighborhood Corp has approval for this project from both Mr. & Mrs. Smith (6 10) and Memorial Hospital. The trees are being paid for by a grant obtained from the City of South Bend and have been approved by Brent Thompson, City Forester. North St. Joseph Street is bare of most foliage, causing the area to appear cold and commercial. The proposed trees will help soften the streetscape returning the much- needed residential feel back to the area. The staff finds the suggested Purple Ash Tree to be with in the guidelines and highly recommends approval of the application. 2