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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. The owner or other person having charge or control of Landmarks and property in an historic district shall not allow or permit deterioration from defects or conditions which, in the judgment of the commission, produce a detrimental effect on the character of the district as a whole or the life and character of the Landmark, structure or property in question, including but not limited to: A. Deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports causing conditions such as splitting, leaning, buckling, crumbling, visible cracking or similar conditions; B. Deterioration of roofs and other horizontal members causing conditions such as sagging, splitting, buckling, crumbling, holes, missing shingles or similar conditions; C. Deterioration of external chimneys causing such conditions as listing, settling, bulging, crumbling, holes, loose or missing materials or similar conditions; D. The deterioration or crumbling of exterior plasters or mortar; E. The ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs and foundations, including broken windows and doors; F. The peeling of paint, rotting, holes and other forms of decay; G. The lack of maintenance of surrounding environments such as fences, gates, sidewalks, steps, signs, accessory structures and landscaping; H. The deterioration of any feature so as to create, or permit the creation of, any hazardous or unsafe condition or conditions. The commission shall give notice to the owner or person in charge of the structure, by certified or registered mail, of each specific instance of failure to maintain or repair. A copy of such notice shall be sent to the Code Enforcement Department. The owner or person in charge of such structure shall have twenty (20) days to respond in writing by identifying specifically the corrective or remedial steps to be taken. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall not be required for such repair unless such repair results in a change in the design, form, proportion, mass, configuration, building material, texture, color, location or external appearance of any structure or part thereof. In the latter circumstance, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required (HPC Policy; adopted 12-16-91) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: There is insufficient evidence to show that this structure, in its current condition, poses a threat to public safety or that demolition is warranted. The building's condition and structural integrity appear sound. Staff recommends continuous enforcement of the preservation guidelines and standards for the historic district under Zoning Ordinance of.the City of South Bend, ordinance No. 5565-73 and that the City use the legal means available to force the maintenance and/or repair of any building or structure within the historic district in accordance with the intent of this ordinance. Elicia Feasel, Deputy Director