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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2002-0516 Property Location: 1732 East Wayne Street. Property Owner:' Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Carmal Alby Designation: Local Historic District — East Wayne Street Rating: Significant -11 RECOMMENDATION Staff finds this request to present a very difficult decision. The Standards for East Wayne Street clearly state that no artificial siding is to be approved unless (a) artificial siding already exist on the house in question, or (b) the existing wooden siding is so deteriorated, that it cannot possibly be preserved. The wooden siding on this house is not apparently deteriorated. However, the owner's contractor informs staff that the owners have had to paint the house every twenty-four months. Staff finds that the siding does appear to be somewhat in need of painting now, and that painting every twenty-four months is, in the opinion of staff, an unreasonably burdensome situation. The questions staff has for the owners are, first, do they have any notion why the house needs painting so often? Usually, the problem involves excess moisture, such as from a bathroom without an outside exhaust fan, or attic vents that are inadequate to serve today's well -insulated houses. Blown -in insulation can also cause problems. If the problem is excess moisture, vinyl siding will only exacerbate it, causing yet more serious deterioration to the interior of the house. If it is something else, vinyl siding may or may not resolve it. The owner's contractor, when questioned by staff, was unable to account for the problem that made the house require painting so often. The director of the Northern Regional Office of Indiana Historic Landmarks Foundation has offered technical assistance, should the owners request it, to locate and resolve the problem. Our own Architectural Historian is on sabbatical in Rome, so not available -to -consult -for -this report. . In view of the clarity of the standards, staff must recommend that the request to install vinyl siding, soffit, and fascia be denied, unless the owners have information showing that there is no other reasonable solution for their maintenance problem.