June 2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Catherine Hostetler instructs the homeowners on the next step in the process, including receipt of their CoA and proceeding with the Building Department. The homeowners thanked the Commission. 2.2006-0608: Leeper Park West The Chair recognized Catherine Hostetler to read the Staff Report. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/IIISTORIC CONTEXT: Leeper Park is a designed landscape located in South Bend, Indiana in a residential area immediately north of the Downtown commercial district of the city. In 1911, noted landscape architect George Kessler prepared a master plan for south Bend to develop a citywide park and boulevard system. Leeper Park became a focal point within Kessler's Plan. APPLICATION ITEMS: To connect the existing sidewalk segment, located in the northern section of Leeper Park along Riverside Drive, with a new five-foot wide concrete sidewalk to the segment of sidewalk at Riverside Drive on the top of the bluff. (See attached color scale drawing, Exhibit A) The connecting sidewalk will be approximately 355 feet long and it will have an access ramp directly across from the access ramp for the sidewalk on the south side of Riverside Drive in Leeper Park. (The work on the south side was approved by the Commission in COA #2006-0306A on March 20, 2006) STANDARDS FOR LEEPER PARK: 9.5 Circulation #3: Alteration of existing or addition of new circulation layouts will be considered if it can be shown that better site circulation is necessary and that the alteration does not alter the basic concept of the historic landscape design. RECOMMENDATION: Kessler's sketch of his plan for Leeper Park is the basis for the landscape landmark. In Kessler's sketch the area for the proposed sidewalk is not developed. (See Exhibit B). An "informal" pathway connecting these two sidewalk segments has developed over the last century. Staff recommends approval, as it does not alter the basic concept of the historic landscape design. Jason Durr, Assistant City Engineer for the City of South Bend was recognized to speak on behalf of the project. Mr. Durr indicated that the sidewalk had been the request of public that use the park and those that live near it, as foot traffic was already wearing a path in the grass. That path will be replaced by a S foot concrete sidewalk. Due to a guardrail and river crossing, the sidewalk can only extend so far, and users will have to cross on the West side of Lafayette. Todd Zeiger asked a question of Mr. Durr regarding an item that appeared on the map, and whether or not that item was covered in a separate CoA. Mr. Durr clarified that it was. There were no public comments. Todd Zeiger moved to approve CoA 2006-0608 Leeper Park West, the motion was seconded by Tim Klusainski and Gerald Ujdak. The motion passed unanimously. 3.2006-0608A 14297 US 23 The Chair recognized Catherine Hostetler to read the Staff Report. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT: Henriette and John B. Metzger purchased this property in the 1870s and built their home in 1875. The home is a fine example of an Italianate country villa. The house and property were landmarked in 1976. Carla and Theron Roberts are the current owners. APPLICATION ITEMS: (Please refer to the sketch and photographs). Basically the homeowners wish to clear out the dead and volunteer trees along with the dense undergrowth in the wooded area surrounding their home in order to create a healthier environment for the mature trees and to create a green space and garden between the wooded areas surrounding the house and the house. To remove/trim old growth trees that threaten windmill that the Roberts wish to restore.