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Sporleder: I was also going to ask if you knew the original function of the furnace itself was and if this <br />particular chimney fed anything else, but Todd has asked that question. I suspect that it was in fact a <br />coal burning furnace there to begin with, which would explain why the chimney is as high as it is. Coal <br />burning furnaces usually emitted certain amounts of burning debris on occasion and it had to clear the <br />roof therefore they usually required either by Code or convention to have at least two feet above the <br />highest ridge line, so.. just for that information. Now, I would like to go into a little speech ifI may. I <br />toured the area, investigating almost all of the houses in your particular Chapin Park area, and there are <br />quite a few gabled houses. I would estimate that about 1/3 of them have no chimneys visible at all, about <br />113 of them have very functional looking chimneys such as yours which were meant to do what it was <br />meant to do which is carry the flue and the gases out, and there were several other chimneys that were <br />ornamented in some architectural way, usually with corbelling. It was my opinion as the architectural <br />historian on this board that the chimney is now disposable, since it serves no function and it has no <br />particular architectural merit. As an architectural feature of the house it was there functionally to carry <br />the flue, fumes out of the furnace and that was its primary function. It wasn't put therefor any <br />ornamental function, nor was it ornamented in any particularly architectural way such as with corbelling <br />or limestone caps as several other chimneys have been done in that area. I would recommend allowing <br />you to remove it to make the roof better. Now, if i could go on, the roof itself however has some <br />architectural merit. The interlocking roof shingles on it creating a diagonal pattern and I would urge you <br />to see if you could have that replicated when you go in to finding a new roof because it's important for a <br />roof that has as much visibilityfrom the street that it not look crude in any particular way. This kind of <br />particular South Bend feature of roofing has with the diagonals. <br />Klusczinski: Thank you Joann. Professor, in your opinion is the chimney damaged or deteriorated <br />beyond repair? <br />Rosenberg: Beyond repair? Um, I can't offer any opinion on that, I'm sorry. I don't have any expertise <br />in that area I couldn't say. <br />Klusczinski: Are the bricks crumbling? Anything like that? <br />Rosenberg: It looks to me like the mortar is... <br />Klusczinski: But not the bricks...? <br />Rosenberg: I haven't ever been upon the chimney, I'm sorry. I cannot say, I wouldn't offer an opinion. <br />It would be to my advantage to offer one, but I can't. <br />Klusczinski: Any other questions for the petitioner? I'll entertain Commission discussion on the topic. <br />Zeiger: I just wanted to note that because the chimney has been abandoned with regard to the gasses and <br />whatnot that it will deteriorate pretty rapidly. Those, the moisture that would go up through the chimney <br />actually helped keep them in tact. And, over time without those flue gasses going up with your comment <br />about everything being direct vent is pretty common in older houses. You'll see that chimney deteriorate <br />fairly quickly without the moisture coming up through there, and that was the reason for my question <br />about the current condition as well as long term. I guess I just share Joann's thought that it's not an <br />essential or definingfeature of the home. <br />Klusczinski: Of this particular home? <br />Zeiger: Of this particular home, yes. <br />Klusczinski: Any other comments, anyone? I'll open the public hearing portion is there any member of <br />the public wishing to speak in support of this C of A? Hearing none. Is there any member of the public <br />wishing to speak in opposition? Also hearing none, I close public hearing. I'll entertain a motion one <br />way or the other. <br />Zeiger: I'll move for approval of Certificate 2007-0426 as presented. <br />Sporleder: I'll second it. <br />Klusczinski: All in favor? (Ayes are heard) Opposed? (Silence) Motion carries unanimously. <br />Moved: Zeiger <br />To approve C of A 2007-0426 <br />Second: Sporleder <br />Approved: Unanimously <br />3 <br />