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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: April 21, 2003 Application Number: 200- -0407 Property Location: 1617 East Wayne Street, South Bend, IN Property Owner: Leda and Melvin Hall Landmark or District Designation: East Wayne Street Local Historic District Rating: Contributing - 10 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT Built in 1926 by architect H. Russell Stapp for Whitcomb and Keller developers. APPLICATION ITEMS: Window replacement RECOMMENDATION The applicants windows are beautifully made and maintained, definitely enhance the historic character of the house, and staff are united in agreeing that we wish we had them in our respective houses. The owners wish to replace them with new windows because unfortunately some previous owner painted the insides of the window frames, and Mrs. Hall has tested the paint for lead, and obtained a positive lead test. The double hung windows in the rear addition to the house, though they are very similar to the existing windows in the main part of the house, do not look nearly as nice, nor do they have the historic character of the older windows. Attached to this report is a copy of the relevant pages of the East Wayne Street District Standards, which indicate extreme reluctance to allow replacement windows. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are to be commended for their evident good care and maintenance of their home, which is doubtless reason why their windows are such a particular example of the way in which the old wooden windows enhance the charm and artistry of historic homes. Nevertheless, if the existing windows really did test positive for lead, staff, with reluctance, recommends that the application be approved, unless our architectural historian can recommend a satisfactory alternative method of addressing the lead paint issue. Staff further recommends that the wooden storm and screen windows be retained, as per the Wayne Street Standards, page 43 — 44.