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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: April 1, 2010 Application Number: 2010 -0401 Property Location: 503 N. Lafayette Blvd. Architectural Style/Date /Architect or Builder: Vernacular -Gable Front/1900 Property Owner: Burton, Raquel Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park NRD/LHD Rating: Non - contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Vernacular 2 storey gable front single family residence with wood framed rectangular plan on concrete foundation, parge coated. ALTERATIONS: Vinyl siding. Replacement 6/6 double hung windows. Glass block windows on South side. Shutters added to windows. Metal awning over entry doors. Concrete stairs leading into front entry door. APPLICATION ITEMS: Remove trees in backyard which obstruct the existing power lines, and plant 1 (one) new tree. Remove bushes in front yard, replace with flower garden, possibly add one small tree. The trees in the backyard of the property at 503 N. Lafayette Blvd. are a hazard and I would like to remove them for this reason. The bushes in the front yard are not hazardous, this decision is aesthetically based. I would like to remove the bushes and plant a flower garden in their place. The three (3) trees in the backyard of my property are intertwined with the power lines (see Exhibits A -1 through A -4). Due to the obstruction of the power lines by the trees, multiple power lines have fallen to the ground (see Exhibit B -1 through B -2). At one point (before I took possession of the property), a pole which held power lines had fallen to the ground. It was likely a storm that caused the pole to fall, but the additional strain of the tree branches pulling on the power lines may have contributed to the worn nature of the structure. I have a 15 month old son, and I will not and cannot allow him to play in our backyard due to the unsafe nature. Due to the above stated reasons, I see no better resolve than to remove the trees completely to allow the power lines to run safely at their elevation, and to plant a tree which is authorized by the Historical Preservation Commission Guidebook which will grow to a height which will not obstruct the power lines in the future. In the front yard of the property, I would like to remove the bushes, which are old and worn and plant a flower garden in their place (see Exhibit D -1 and D -2). DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Homeowner wishes to remove trees that are interfering with power lines in backyard of home. One replacement tree will be planted in backyard. Also, homeowner wishes to remove bushes near fagade in front yard of home and replace with a flower garden. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: 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. The