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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />Application Number: 2001-1002-(b) 7_0� Z <br />Property Location: 1012 Riverside Drive _ <br />South Bend, IN 46601 <br />Property Owners: Gabrielle Robinson & Michael Keen <br />Landmark or District Designation: Local Historic District — Riverside Drive <br />National Registry of Historic Districts — Chapin Park <br />Rating: Significant - 11 <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />In 1919 attorney Frank Gilmer purchased lot 10 of Wetzstein's Riverside Heights Addition, and <br />in 1920 built this Romantic Period revival -style home. It is one of six houses between the Riverside <br />Drive White Oak stand, and Shetterly Park. It overlooks the river to the Northeast, and faces Shetterly <br />Park. <br />Former residents include Helen and Leslie Morehouse, from 1927 to 1937 (Mr. Morehouse was <br />the editor of the South Bend Tribune); Mr. and Mrs. Duncan O'Coner, from 1937 to 1957 (during <br />which period Mr. O'Coner was superintendent at South Bend lathe); Mr. and Mrs. Lester E. Menzie, <br />from 1957 to 1973; Kenneth Grant from 1973 to 1999; Allen and Arleen (?) Howard, from 1999, <br />presumably until sale to the present owners. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The owners have already received staff approval for the removal of a dead or dying American <br />elm tree from the West (front) property line, and, at their option, for placing an arbor vita bush where <br />the tree was, to fill in a line of arbor vitae; which will now have a gap where the elm tree was. <br />We are aware of the significance of native trees to this neighborhood in particular, and to the <br />special value of American Elm trees where ever they may be found, and we only granted permission <br />for the removal of this one on the owners' representation that it is in fact past saving — and we also feel <br />confident that no homeowner would be dumb enough to remove such a tree if there were any way to <br />keep it. <br />The 1977 Survey shows five significant trees in between the front of this house and Shetterly <br />Park — and now there remain only two. <br />RECOMMENDATION: The owners seek permission to plant two Red maples in front of their <br />house. A sketched site plan is attached. Staff recommends approval. The trees will be closer <br />together than in most early 20`h Century landscaping plans, but still further apart than the actual <br />historic plans for this unique neighborhood. While Red Maple trees are not on the list of trees <br />specifically recommended for this neighborhood, there is a significant Red Maple tree directly across <br />Riverside Drive from this house, on the inside corner. <br />