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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 06/10/04 Application Number: Property Location: 2004-0501-2 830 N Michigan Street Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark in Leeper Park (Local Landmark), Leeper Park National Register District Rating: Outstanding/ 13 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEIHISTORIC CONTEXT, In the previous staff report, staff noted the importance of the views and vistas of the significant character defining features in East Leeper Park, especially the views of the North Pumping Station. the Leeper Park standards state that these views and vistas shall be preserved. Staff recommended security and traffic control options that would limit any affects on these views and vistas, including traffic access control gates, speed bumps, etc. The Commission granted tentative approval of "a gate, not chain link" at the May 17 meeting, and asked the applicant to submit visual documentation of the potential gates for review at the June 21 meeting. APPLICATION ITEMS: Amended to include a 6' tall by 21' wide aluminum concave spear double swing gate with cross bracing. RECOMMENDATION To preserve the views and vistas of the North Pumping Station and provide appropriate traffic control and security, staff would still recommend an access control gate with a lift arm for the drive north of the station. The access control gate has several advantages over a double swing gate: Greater convenience for the Water Works' staff and visitors. - The Water Works staff would not need to open and close a 21' double swing gate every time a visitor needed to enter the parking lot; the arm could be raised remotely. - Staff could enter and exit the parking lot from Michigan Street but unwanted vehicles would not gain access. Lower cost of replacement of broken parts (one arm vs. one swing gate). Minimal visual obstruction of the park and the building. A few companies fabricate a more pleasing and less utilitarian housing for the gate's mechanical and electrical systems. Retractable bollards and road block flaps would also fulfill the security needs and the preservation standards. The Water Works office sent copies of product information of available fence gate types. The pictures, unfortunately, depict only 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide gates. About five 4 -foot panels would be needed for the 21' long gate or two 10 -foot panels. The potential gates types veer toward severity of design with sharp lines, spears, and cross bracing that evoke the gates of medieval castles rather than entrance to the drive of a classical civic uildmg. -here are fence gates available that -would be more appropriate to the North Pumping Station. The rolled channel gates reflect the curve of the domes or the arches over the North Pumping Station's windows. Some gates have small decorative circles that reflect the small stone medallions near the entranceway. AA