June 2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

II. Driveway. Mr. Kimble h o requested approval for the repavi�dlld expansion of the driveway between his home and 517 Edgewater Drive. The current driveway does have many cracks and deep depressions. It is also imprinted with an interesting square grid pattern, which the owner may choose to retain in the repaving. However, at this time, staff is unable to recommend approval for the proposed changes to the driveway. First, the sizable amount of paving planned for the driveway and the brick paver patio may actually violate South Bend building code. Secondly, the expansion of the driveway changes the historic and characteristic view of the home and the property from the street, one that is characterized by a single width, narrow drive leading to rear the garages. Thirdly, as the owner has found that the modern flower box is too narrow for his garden plan, the proposed driveway leaves too little space for future foundation plantings. Staff would recommend approval if the current proposal pushed the beginning of the tapering of the driveway to the just behind the steps on the side of the house (see suggested plan). This change would reduce the amount of added pavement and then not violate code, retain the historic sight lines of the narrow driveway as viewed from the street, and allow for future plantings that could conceal the rear pavement. Due to the existence of the rear concrete pad and the tightness between the garages and the houses, staff understands the possible desires of the owners to have more space for both families' cars to turn around and/or pass each other. III. Patio. Lastly, Mr. Kimble proposes to lay a 15' by 15' brick paver patio in his back yard. The proposed material is not connected to the period of historic significance for this residence and is purely modern. The patio is not a typical feature of 1920s landscaping design, nor lifestyle. The paver stones will however compliment the natural paint color chosen by the owners for the exterior of their home. See material specs for photo. It will be inconspicuous from the street and will not greatly change the historic character of the home, its scale, and relationship to the lot. Staff would first recommend the application of grass seed for shaded lawns, but as this is not the proposed plan, staff recommends approval of the patio at the stated or smaller dimensions as long as the amount of paving does not violate code.