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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: March 3, 2015 Application Number: 2015-0303A Property Location: 315 W Madison (aka 309-313 & 315) Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Dormer Front Bungalow/1877.& 1915/Benz House Property Owner: Margaret Jamison Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local and National Register Historic District Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: A two storey house built upon an. -irregular plan with a brick foundation. The style is noted in the survey as Dormer Front Bungalow and on the'survey card as Period Revival/Shingle Style. The roof is.a' steep pitched side gable with gabled front dormer having cornice returns, all finished with.asphalt shingles. Walls are wood shingle. A'full width frontporch is covered by an extension of the main roof supported by brick piers with a small cross design at the capital. There is a brick railing with stone caps. According to the 1987 survey.card, windows are 1/1 wood double hung with molded entablatures with a large picture window in front; although most windows are boarded for protection and this cannot be confirmed. There are two brick chimneys. The house is located on a spacious side with a hedgerow around the house and a large gambrel roofed garage in rear, also wood shingle walls. ALTERATIONS: This house is as it was originally built and remodeled in 1915. According to the 1987 survey card, aluminum storm windows are installed. APPLICATION ITEMS: Demolition of house and garage. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: HPC . Staff has been engaged with Department of Community Investment Staff and Code Enforcement Staff regarding the plan to -demolish this property. See below for Exterior Code Violations. HPC Staff has -made a site visit including interior observations with the owner of the property. See below for report. Through Staff research and study of this property, it is not clear what the determining reason is to demolish this property. It is vacant but not .abandoned. Recently the owner paid the tax bill, .paid .a vacant property registration fee, and has entertained the idea of selling the property. Staff is not in agreement with an August 12, 2013 .violation list as it appears to have been surveyed only from the exterior (interior photos taken March 3, 2015 during asbestos testing) so it is not clear how several of the violations have been determined, including structural members and doors. There is no question that the property exemplifies deterioration from neglect, however, there is nothing convincing that the property poses a threat to the public safety, nor is it deteriorated beyond repair. Minimum Maintenance Standards cite that all Landmarks and all contributing structures located in an historic district shall be preserved from decay and deterioration, and shall, be maintained in good repair and kept structurally sound. Historic Preservation Commission intends to work.in partnership with Code Enforcement and Building Department to enforce these standards. An August 12, 2013 Code Enforcement, Exterior Code List cites the following violations: 1. Accessories, such as garages, sheds, fences and retaining walls are not maintained in good repair 2. Wood and metal surfaces, such as windows, doors, frames, siding, overhang and porches have peeling, flaking and chipped paint. 3. Structural members are deteriorated and no longer capable of safely supporting imposed dead and live loads.