March 2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 2 March 2015 Application Number: 2015-0302 Property Location: Leeper Park West Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Park/George Kessler Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or District Designation: National Register Historic Designed Landscape Landmark Rating: Local Landmark DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Leeper Park is a designed landscape located north of the commercial and medical district of South Bend and divided by Michigan Street (US 33). Leeper Park West is bordered by Riverside Drive along the St. Joseph River, Park Lane to the South, Lafayette to the West, the bluff of Chapin Park to the extreme West and Michigan Street to the East. It is part of the 1911- 1915 Parks and Boulevard system designed for South Bend by George Kessler. ALTERATIONS: The duck pond was restored in 1979. The formal gardens were grown over in the 1980s. The playground equipment is not original to the Park. A Parking Lot south of the Tennis Center was added during the Madison School renovation along with lighting without COA. The tennis courts were replaced in 2007 and the "odor garden" was installed in 2008. New Playground equipment was installed 2013. APPLICATION ITEMS: Part A: Connect required storm sewer that is to be placed inside the new Memorial North Parking Lot to the existing storm sewer network that goes through Leeper Park. Once the pipe has been installed the disturbed area will be returned to its original condition. Part B: Install a new above ground Pedestal across Park Lane from I&M Manhole. The new Pedestal will be located 10 -15 feet north of the existing curb. The pedestal that is to be installed is approximately 29" by 16" and it will sit above ground approximately 24"....For the purposes of screening both the new Pedestal and existing utilities from the general public in the park, a line of six 5 gallon evergreen shrubs (Taxus X Media -see photos) will be placed approximately 5' north of the Pedestal. These shrubs typically grow to 3'-4' in height and are described as an easily maintained hedge. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Part A. The applicant proposes to install a 36" storm sewer pipe that will be placed about 29' from its current location on the north curb line of Park Lane and Main Street to an existing structure that sits approximately 20' North and 21.3" West of the existing light pole near the same intersection. This will entail creating a trench with an excavator 3.5' deep from the top of the pipe to the new location. Once the pipe has been installed thetrench will be backfilled within 4 inches of the surface, and the remaining area will be filled in with top soil, leveled and covered with new sod to match what is currently on site. (Please refer to Appendix A and photographs.) Part B. To install an above ground Pedestal in Leeper Park directly across Park Lane to accommodate two 4" conduits from existing I&M Manhole C7-4.All conduits will be buried at a depth of 36' and will be concrete encased. Also underground service connectors will be installed from the new Pedestal to the existing Pole and 1 -1 -frame which are within a 15 foot radius. These will be buried at least 30". This installation and the current utilities next to it will be screened by Taxus X Media shrubs a type of slow growing drought resistant Yew that can grow up to five feet in height. (Please refer Area B text and photographs.) STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Leeper Park Standards and Criteria Part A. 9.3 Topography: (includes Shape, Slope, Elevation, Contour of landforms and Ground Plane... 1. All locations and items listened in 9.2.2 shall also apply to this section and shall be preserved.