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Chapin Park Local Historic District Guidelines and Standards I. THE ENVIRONMENT A. THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT The Chapin Park Local Historic District is a particularly fine residential area located close to downtown South Bend, the St. Joseph River, Memorial Hospital and Leeper Park. This section is meant to protect and guide appropriate maintenance of the common areas of the district (i.e. visual landscape and streetscapes) Required Brick streets contribute greatly to the character of the neighborhood. These streets have always been essentially passenger car thoroughfares. The appointments of the streets (i.e. lighting, curbs, horse hitches and monuments) should contribute as much as possible to their architectural, historic, and residential character. Retention and maintenance of existing brick streets in the district is required. Repair work to fill voids and gaps must utilize brick paver materials and acceptable installation methods whenever applicable. When utility work dictates the removal of street sections (pavers), the original materials will be reinstalled. Brick streets shall be patched with brick pavers. Concrete, asphalt, fillers, and similar materials shall not be used. All original streetlights shall be maintained, especially the George Cutter "Park View" streetlights designed by the Cutter Company for this neighborhood. Present efforts by the Neighborhood Association and the Historic Preservation Commission to restore "Park View" streetlights to the district shall continue. Any change in lighting must receive approval of the Historic Preservation Commission. New or different fencing requires a C of A and shall reflect the style and character of the individual property and the surrounding environment and properties. Recommended The current or historic character of lawns should be preserved. Front yard areas, common lawns, and tree lawns should remain open. New or replacement trees should be compatible in variety with those presently growing. Vacant lots should be kept landscaped appropriately while vacant, and may be used for recreational or residential development. When replacement of utility poles or power supply lines is necessary, consideration should be given to underground conduits or utility poles erected along rear property lines. Prohibited Existing relationships of buildings and their environments shall not be destroyed by widening existing streets, applying asphalt or other bituminous coverings, or by introducing new streets or parking lots. Signs, streetlights, benches, new plant materials, fencing, walkways, and paving materials which are out Page 6 of 26