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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 2 June 2014 Application Number: 2014-0602 Property Location: 209 West North Shore Drive Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Dutch Colonial Revival/1905/ Property Owner: Heidi Collins, M.D. District Designation: West North Shore Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: The Dutch Colonial Revival home has a rectangular plan with appendages set on a concrete foundation. The gambrel roof is covered with architectural shingles. There is a three bay main fagade the walls are covered in wood shingles. The central front porch has wood columns supporting the balcony. There is a low railing with vertical slats between columns except at center bay. The balcony above the porch also has a low railing with vertical slats. The windows are double hung with upper lights over one. ALTERATIONS: The roof is not original to the house. The gable half round lights were replaced with cedar vents. The originals are stored. The balcony railing is an addition. The fireplace vented on the east side is an addition. The large trees noted in the 1985 and 1987 photographs have been removed from the front of the house as well as the large shrubbery along the porch prior to 2001. A hitching post at the curb noted in both survey cards is no longer there. APPLICATION ITEMS: Placed small Koi pond in existing flower bed at northeast edge of front lawn by porch. Placed a fountain at north west edge of front lawn near porch. Dug flower beds (roses/perennials/annuals) along front walkway. Dug flower beds (roses/perennials/annuals) in lawn parallel to sidewalk. Multiple seasonal ornamentals. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT. The homeowners have placed a small pond and fountain in the existing north flower bed area below the porch. Plant flowers in both flower beds below the porch on either side of the walkway. Create flower beds along the length of the walkway on each side and plant flowers. Create a flower bed in the rise of the lawn parallel to the side walk and plant flowers. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: GUIDELINE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION & DEVELOPMENT: The West North Shore Drive Local Historic District was established by an ordinance enacted by the Common Council of the City of South Bend in 1978 for the protection of the historic character of the neighborhood. Under the requirements of this ordinance, a Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) is required for any activity in the district which requires a building permit or which alters the appearance of a building or site. Painting of previously painted surfaces is released from this requirement and requires no approval. Consideration by the Historic Preservation Commission of proposed repairs or alterations is guided by the following set of guidelines which have been developed in cooperation with neighborhood representatives and have been adopted by referendum of the district property owners. C. LAWNS The current or historic landscaping character of lawns should be preserved. Paving and blacktopping of existing lawns so as to transform them essentially into parking lots or spaces rather than residential lawns must be prohibited. Front yard areas, trees, and lawns must remain open. Fencing in front yards is prohibited. A fence on the Michigan Street side of lots 12 and 13 may be permitted if done in a distinctive way and is compatible with the character of the structures on these lots, with consideration being made for the high density and speed of traffic on Michigan Street. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval as landscaping follows the guidelines for the West North Shore District. C.D. Hostetler, Director