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sandstone and stucco shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to remove stains, and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes. When repairing stucco, stucco mixture compatible in composition, color and texture shall be used. Recommended Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices, gables, eaves and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when metal or vinyl siding has been installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortar joints should be re -pointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or rehabilitation effort, the property owner should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County which is located in the County/City Building of South Bend. The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration. Prohibited Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material which is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was constructed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration. Brick surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted originally. Repointing shall not be"done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building material. This can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of expansion and the differing porosity of the material and the mortar, which can result in serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint shall not be removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately. Not Recommended Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless required to solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and can accelerate deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need re -pointing should not be re -pointed. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I visited the home and met with the owners Jon and Debra Gaul after an office visit on 07/14/2014. The owners had some damage from the recent storm and also had some pests enter the soffit and eaves along the edges of the wood siding. The owners have an insurance claim that they are looking to cash in on with this approval and get scheduled ASAP. Most of the house from the approach is brick, however the peaks, rear, and areas around the garage are wood siding. The existing siding is deteriorated especially along the rear where the siding meets the concrete foundation. The existing siding runs both vertical and horizontal depending on its location. I also noticed the lack of venting along the soffits and area above the front door. The owners are looking to have the soffits wrapped with "hidden' vented vinyl panels, the front door ceiling with vinyl soffit panels, new gable vents, exterior siding underlayment, new champion Dutchlap horizontal siding, as well as new seamless gutters, downspouts, and leaf guards. The existing shutters will be removed then re -installed following the installation of the siding. The house although on a prominent comer across from the triangular shaped western park, lacks some curb appeal due to the color washing of it all being brown with only the windows having any accents. The owner expressed the desire to correct this since the work was going to be done anyway. Also the original wood garage door has warped and buckled. The owner has selected a non -wood replacement that looks to have the same visual pattern and style as the existing but would be lighter and less likely to deteriorate. I recommend the approval of the COA. Many areas of the existing siding are beyond repair and would need entire panel replacement as well as the lack of proper venting has allowed several pests and bats to set up home in the soffits and gables since the existing panels have buckled and sagged. The different orientations of the existing siding annoys the owners and I understand the desire to have a more uniform and visually appealing arrangement. The existing garage door is very heavy and has buckled and warped from the weight. I do not believe that door could be repaired without adding additional weight. Steve Szaday Preservation Specialist -Inspector HPCSBSJC Staff recommends approval as it conforms to the East Wayne Standards. C.D. Hostetler, Director On a motion by Kevin Buccellato with a second by Dave Steinhauer to approve. Vote: 7 — 0 Unanimous. COA#2014-0714 Approved.