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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: June 7, 2007 Application Number: 2007-0605B Property Location: Leeper Park West Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or'District Designation: Landscape Landmark Rating: National Register and Local Landscape Landmark STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT,: Leeper Park is a designed landscape located north of the downtown commercial district of the city. The park was designed by renowned landscape designer George Kessler in 1912. Leeper Park West was developed in 1901 and 1902 as the water lines were extended from the North Pumping Station to Lafayette along what is now Park Lane. The land north of Park Lane to the River was donated to the City in 1902. The final tract of land between Chapin Park subdivision and Lafayette Blvd. was acquired in 1906. APPLICATION ITEMS:. Renovation of Tennis Courts; Pavement and Fence replacement, expansion of Court pavement approximately 20' to the South; removal of 17 trees per Brent Thompson and replanting of 17 evergreen trees per Brent Thompson. STANDARDS: 9.0 Landscapes -Standards and Criteria for Leeper Park; 9.1 Introduction #6 Recreational facilities which exist should be allowed to remain as along as the serve substantial community functions. In some cases these features can be redesigned to be more compatible with the overall landscape. 9.2 Spatial Organization #2. All views, vistas, landscape spaces located in the eastern section and central section of Leeper Park shall be preserved. All views, vistas, landscape spaces located north and east and west of a line designated as the northern fence of the tennis courts located in the western section of Leeper park shall also be preserved. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. The tennis courts are constant use by the public and by school teams throughout the season. The new configuration will allow for better use of the courts and better accommodate the spectators and coaches. The alteration proposed impacts only the southern area by 20 feet which is within a field along side a baseball diamond. The area above the sensitive northern fence line of the tennis courts will not be compromised by this project. The new tree planting will replicate the current tree configuration.