|
study of this property, it is not clear what the determining reason is to demolish this property. It is vacant but not abandoned.
<br />Recently the owner paid the tax bill, paid a vacant property registration fee, and has entertained the idea of selling the property.
<br />Staff is not in agreement with an August 12, 2013 violation list as it appears to have been surveyed only from the exterior
<br />(interior photos taken March 3, 2015 during asbestos testing) so it is not clear how several of the violations have been
<br />determined, including structural members and doors. There is no question that the property exemplifies deterioration from
<br />neglect, however, there is nothing convincing that the property poses a threat to the public safety, nor is it deteriorated beyond
<br />repair. Minimum Maintenance Standards cite that all Landmarks and all contributing structures located in an historic district shall
<br />be preserved from decay and deterioration, and shall be maintained in good repair and kept structurally sound. Historic
<br />Preservation Commission intends to work in partnership with Code Enforcement and Building Department to enforce these
<br />standards.
<br />An August 12, 2013 Code Enforcement, Exterior Code List cites the following violations:
<br />1. Accessories, such as garages, sheds, fences and retaining walls are not maintained in good repair
<br />2. Wood and metal surfaces, such as windows, doors, frames, siding, overhang and porches have peeling, flaking and
<br />chipped paint.
<br />3. Structural members are deteriorated and no longer capable of safely supporting imposed dead and live loads.
<br />4. Walls (siding) have holes, breaks, loose or rotting materials; and are no longer maintained weatherproof or properly
<br />surfaced coated.
<br />5. Handrails and guards rails are mission or are not firmly fastened, and are no longer capable of supporting imposed
<br />loads.
<br />6. Windows, door and frames are not weathertight.
<br />7. Glazing materials (window and door glass) is cracked or broken.
<br />8. Screens are missing and/or torn from openings. There are no approved, tight fitting screens supplied for all openings
<br />utilized for ventilation.
<br />9. Doors and door hardware are not maintained in good condition. Locks no longer tightly secure the door.
<br />10. Basement hatchways are not maintained to prevent the entrance of rats, rain and surface drainage. Comment:
<br />Inconclusive.
<br />11. Operable basement windows are not supplied with rat proof shields, storm windows, or other approved rat protection.
<br />Comment: Inconclusive.
<br />An August 9, 2014 Code Enforcement, Order to Comply and Notice of Continuous Enforcement Hearing orders the following:
<br />Demolition of multi -unit.
<br />Report from Preservation Specialist site meeting with owner, Margaret Jamison August 27, 2014:
<br />On 27 August 2014, I met with Margaret Jameson at 315 W Madison at 10 am. She allowed me to remove the boarding
<br />from the rear door and enter the house. There is evidence of where someone had gotten into the house and had squatted. There is
<br />garbage mainly on the first level and evidence that animals had gotten inside and had soiled in certain spots. I went to the attic
<br />and even though it was raining, the deck was dry and no roof leaks were visible. The owner informed me that the shingles were
<br />still under warranty. She also informed me that no one, outside of whomever broke in, had occupied the house for almost 10
<br />years. She informed me that she had the electric, gas, and water meters removed years ago as well. I noticed only a few broken
<br />windows as she had hired someone to board them up after experiencing the break-in. I walked the entire house and noticed only
<br />a definite need to have the clutter removed in order to make a better description of the condition of the floors, etc. I did not notice
<br />and bowing, dips, or anything out of square. Upon entering the basement, I saw no evidence of any water damage or any
<br />structural damage in the foundation. The large "octopus" heating system looked almost new. I asked the owner about the system
<br />and she informed me that the system was installed just before it was all boarded up and locked down. I walked the outside
<br />perimeter of the house and garage and noticed no structural concerns that were visible to the naked eye on either. Fortunately,
<br />most of the windows and doors were boarded over before any damage could be done to them. The owner also informed me that
<br />to her knowledge no one from code has ever been inside the structure. Steve Szaday Preservation Specialist.
<br />STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES:
<br />V.GENERAL
<br />A. Buildings in the district should not be demolished except where a building poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is
<br />the only alternative. Documentation of interior and exterior features of the original buildings, especially homes rated as
<br />historically significant, is encouraged. Measured drawings and photographs may be submitted to the Historic Preservation
<br />Commission for safekeeping and future reference.
<br />B. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before moving any building or structure. The moving of a building within, out of
<br />or into the district is discouraged; however, moving is preferred to demolition. Buildings incompatible with existing structures in
<br />the historic district shall be prohibited.
<br />C. Any rehabilitation work shall not be such as to change a building to a style dated previous to its original style.
<br />D. In planning rehabilitation projects, an architect or contractor experienced in preservation should be consulted.
<br />E. There shall be a liaison committee consisting of five (5) property owners in the district. The committee's responsibility will be
<br />to work with the residents of the district and the Historic Preservation Commission (See Appendix D).
<br />F. All guidelines will be reviewed and updated, on the recommendation of the liaison committee, at least every five years.
<br />G. In the case of structures located within the district which are designated individually as Landmarks, the most restrictive
<br />guidelines shall apply.
<br />H. Existing easements and codicils in property owners' abstracts shall remain in effect.
<br />I. There is excepted from the general provisions of paragraph A and B of Section V. General, a partial exception for the future
<br />property acquisitions and uses by Temple Beth -El, 305 W. Madison Street, South Bend, Indiana. Temple Beth -El is currently
<br />located on the east half of the block bordered by Madison, Lafayette, Marion and William streets. The west half of this block is
<br />5
<br />
|