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RECOMMENDATION The character defining features of this lovely house, which are well displayed in the photographs submitted by Mr. Van Overburghe, are its front and cross gables with boxed eaves, and the absolutely regular placement of its windows, which are a vernacular interpretation of the Greek Revival style. The size, number of windows reflects the picturesque romantic style so admired by fans of Thomas Kinkade paintings. While we are not able to confirm the rumor that this house may have been designed by South Bend Mayor Freyermouth, (Architecture firm of Freyermouth and Maurer), we can say that it is a characteristic of Freyermouth's buildings that they typically had a lot of windows, and a lot of interior light, as this house obviously does. The present kitchen requires anyone passing onto the screened porch or out the back door to squeeze between the oven and the refrigerator to get onto and through the enclosed back stoop. The proposed addition, encompassing and expanding the enclosed stoop, incorporates it into an expanded kitchen. The upstairs door and laundry porch would be lost, which is unfortunate, but acceptable. The existing metal railing and storm door are non-contributing additions. Option #1, which continues the line of the side gable, including the boxed eave return, is a very nice design, and does an excellent job of continuing the original romantic design style, except for the relatively large expanse of blank wall, unbroken by any additional window, at the side back. Option #2 would create a significantly larger area of blank, windowless wall, and would not continue the line of the side gable. On the other hand, it would be largely invisible from the front of the house and from the neighbors. Staff would not recommend approval of Option #2 unless it could be amended by the inclusion of windows consistent in design with the existing windows in the house. Replacing aluminum siding with vinyl is essentially an in-kind replacement, and should be approved. Additionally, I understand from Mr. Van Overburghe that there may be a possibility of revealing some original window detail presently covered. This should also be approved. The "ornamental" shutters are not a character defining feature of the house, so when the siding is replaced, the owners should not be required to retain the shutters unless they wish to. In summary: Staff recommends (1) approval of the proposed back addition, option one, in Mr. Van Overburghe's drawings, which expands the back of the house and extends the side gable down to the first story in back as it is in the front of the house, with the specification (a) that the design may be altered, at the owner's option, by the addition of a window on the side, and (b) that one of the existing exterior back doors be reused, and the other two retained, clearly labeled, in some appropriate storage place. (2) approval of the proposed siding, provided that the new siding have a reveal that matches as closely as possible either the existing reveal, or the reveal of the original wood siding, and (3) approval of whatever restoration of original window detail the owners find convenient and feasible in the course of residing. 4