September 2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 09/09/04 Application Number: Property Location: 2004-0903-1 740 Bronson Court Property Owner: Elizabeth and Ron Farr Landmark or District Designation: Edgewater Drive LHD Rating: Non-contributing -- Built in 1877; 1980s faux stucco and timber siding over gabled ell frame house APPLICATION ITEMS: Replace wood railroad tie retaining wall with a 4' high wall. The proposed wall would have a concrete footing, concrete block bearing wall with 12" blocks, field stone facing, and sandstone cap. The proposed wall would also have 8" by 8" posts to designate entryways and corners for -future lights. Staff has not received a drawing of the proposal nor have the owners determined what types of lights they propose to install on the wall. [Slight changes PRESERVATION STANDARDS IA. The Environment; Required: New plant materials, fencing, walkways, streetlights, signs, and benches shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood in size, scale, material, and color. IB. Building Site, Landscaping, and Accessories; Recommended: New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and newspapers. New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. RECOMMENDATION The Edgewater District guidelines note, "Individual properties in the district are characterized by a house located in the center of a flat lawn, often divided by a walk leading to the front entrance" (page 29). In the early 1980s, the present owners of 740 Bronson Street constructed a rather sturdy barrier around their house with railroad ties of varying heights. The affect is somewhat reminiscent of a medieval fort with a faux -Tudor cottage within its walls. According to oral history, this property once had a weathered concrete retaining wall with a Victorian wrought -iron fence. The Edgewater District guidelines recommend new site work should be based upon the past historically contributing appearance of the property. A concrete wall and wrought iron fence arrangement would be most appropriate to the yard, and the period in which this home was originally constructed. There are some very attractive iron fences and concrete retaining wall arrangements to be found in South Bend including: 405 West Wayne Street, a Second Empire residence, Trinity School, and the Hansel Center. Both of these examples are scaled for an urban or institutional site. A more residential scaled curb and fence would be appropriate to the property and the district as shown in the images provided with the staff report. In addition to the concrete wall with the iron fence, several raised yards gently slope towards the sidewalk within the bounds of the district. This treatment would also be appropriate to 740 Bronson. As staff has not received a scale drawing of this wall though staff advised the owners to submit one with the application, staff was not able to draft a complete report and cannot recommend approval of the application. Staff would recommend the owners review the philosophy of the district and the landscape history of their property before proceeding further.