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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: March 7, 2007 Application Number: 2007-0307A Property Location: 1329 East Washington Property Owner: Kathleen Neal . Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark Rating: Notable STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT: This romantic revival/English Tudor home was designed by the firm of Austin and Shambleau for Joseph Maxwell Stephenson in 1923. He lived there until his death in 1946. The house was then sold to Eugene O'Brien Vice -President of the O'Brien Varnish Company. The home was landmarked on October 25, 1982. APPLICATION ITEMS: To replace the non original wooden stockade fencing along the west side of the home (Exhibit A) with black ornamental aluminum fence with black quad finials (spears) with ball caps on the posts and a matching gate at the south end between the house and fence (Exhibit B). The design resembles wrought iron fence pieces located in the basement of the house (Exhibit Q. Landmark Standards: Building Site and Landscaping 1.Required: Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property's history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. Structures such as: gazebos, patio decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new walls fountains, fixed garden fiirniture, trellises, and other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed from a public way. 2. Recommended: New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings and newspapers. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the buildings historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate. Fencing should be in character with the building style, materials and scale. RECOMMENDATION: The Staff recommends approval. The proposed ornamental fence along the west side of the house and yard is in keeping with the character of the house and will reintroduce a documented stylistic element that pre dates the current stockade fencing. (The Staff has already approved the removal of the arbor vitae and gingko tree along the fence line per City Forester, Brent Thompson's assessment. Ms. Neal is going replace plantings with more appropriate shrubbery at a later date.)