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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2001-0130 Property Location: 14297 State Road 23 Property Owner: Doris Risler Landmark or District Designation: LL Rating: S/12 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT Robert Kennedy, the first schoolteacher in Harris Township came to St. Joseph County in 1833 at which time he purchased the west half of the south east'/4 of section 14 in 1834, he purchased the remaining half in 1837. Mr. Kennedy resided in a log cabin on this property until 1881 when he sold the main portion of this land, now known as the Risler Farm, to John B. and Henriette Metzgar. Mr. Metzgar spent his entire life in agricultural labors. He was a public-spirited citizen who was noted for his sound judgment. Mr. Metzgar was eventually elected to the office of trustee for Harris Township and under his supervision the first Harris Consolidated school was built in Granger. John and Henriette built this two-story Italianate style house in 1887 and resided there until their deaths in the 1920s. By 1929 their son Harry and his wife, Blanche, owned the property. They too resided here until their deaths, Harry in 1953 and Blanche in 1959. The house was then sold to the Walt and Doris Risler. RECOMMENDATION The Preservation Guidelines for Local Landmarks follow the Rehabilitation Model. Group B Standards The applicant is requesting to remove the landmark designation from the entire farm and all buildings. The staff originally informed Mr. Hardig that landmark status cannot be rescinded through the Certificate of Appropriateness process. Mr. Hardig insisted that his proposal be on this months agenda, to accommodate his wishes the staff contacted Aladean DeRose, City Attorney, to find out if such a request can come before the Commission and if so how it should be addressed. Mrs. DeRose stated that a request for rescinding landmark designation can be approached through the CofA process. In accordance with