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May 23, 2002 Karen R. Hammond -Nash, Director HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND & ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 126 'South Lafayette Boulevard South Bend, IN 46601 . Design Assoctiates 51.1 West La Salic rlvcnue South Bend, Indiana 46601 219, 246,0472 Dear `KarPp, . • 1 -*AX 219.246,0681 Per our discussion, I am writing this .letter in the hopes that the historic commission might be able to help us with the following situation. AFTER we purchased the beautiful old house, a local landmark, at 514 W. La Salld Ave., the South Bend Housing Authority installed FOUR huge halogen lights on the side of their` building shining out over. their parking lot and directly into our house and backyard. I have enclosed a copy of the letter I wrote to them regarding the problem which describes in detail how that installation has affected our quality of life in this new home. Since that letter was sent, Charles is no longer at this facility and they have lowered the lights, but they still are overwhelming. It is still necessary to close all the drapes on the east and south sides of the house every evening, in order to be able to enjoy any of the rooms on the first flgor, or to be able ' to sleep at night ... on the second floori!l1 It is really intolerable. And, as I mentioned in my letter to them, ".,, has effectively stolen the peace, tranquility and beauty from our home and yard". In addition to the lights, we live with an eighty -foot stretch of chainlink fence, interwoven with green vinyl and topped with barbed wire! It runs the entire length of the east side of our property. And, it is leaning into our yard far enough that we would have to build our fence at least 2 ft inside our property line in order to assure' it doesn't get knocked down by the cars in their parking lot which back into their fence! They have agreed to let us remove the barbed wire. What we are hoping is that shields could be put on their lights so they would shine down not into our yard • their fence permanently straightened, the barbed wire removed, and the .vinyl taken off. Maybe they could install the cement `bumpers" to. keep their cars and trucks from knocking their fence into our yard. Then, per our request already submitted to the cnmmiscinn, we' wnl4d. in.st ll ?• fenrP on. nur elttg that would match what is already here. ' I am hopeful that there might be a way you can help us. We do not want to be known as "the complainers" and we are willing to do whatever may be necessary on our part to come to a solution amenable to all. We've spent • a lot of money and effort in saving the trees and renovating the landscape of our property and we would like to be able to enj oy our efforts. We do not wish to alienate anyone, we just want to be able to sit in the back yard and enjoy the moon and stars, flowers and trees, and the view of the city skyline in our backyard.., maybe light the candles around the pond. Right now this is not possible, and there is no point in lighting candles... you'd never see them for the glare! Karen, we knew when we purchased this house that we would have to comply with standards set by your commission in the care and maintenance of our home. We are more than willing to do so as it is our intention to eventually restore her ' to her original splendor. We just feel it is somewhat unfair that in turn we have to live with a situation that shows no interest or respect for the neighborhood's history and the lifestyle environment of its residents. We sincerely appreciate any help you may be able to extend to us regarding this situation. Sincerely, Co ie Thomas�,',� Z I ��' .!