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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATEOF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 6 October 2015 Application Number: 2015-1005 Property Location: 803 Park Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Free Classic/ 1900 Property Owner: Russell D. Shelbuch Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Rating: Notable DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: This is a 2 %z storey house set upon an irregular square plan foundation. Roof is a central pyramidal hip intersected by numerous hip and gable dormers, all covered in asphalt shingles. Foundation•is brick. Walls are 3" wood clapboard with a bell cast at second floor. There is a fitll width front porch with a low hip roof, with a pediment bay entry supported by slender fluted wood columns. ALTERATIONS: Ahuninum storm windows are installed. Front porch rails and stairs have been replaced without a COA. APPLICATION ITEMS: Replace steps. All hand railing to same style/architecture as was previous existing style. Replace round spindles to square type as was original. Install all railings to lower height as original. Front yard — see diagram and Preservation Specialist report. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: At the September HPC meeting, the owner applied to "Change porch steps. Handrailings. Remove front landscaping. Replace with brick patio. Replace sidewalk in front of house. install short wall in front of patio' with a unanimous vote by the Commission to deny the application. The owner has reapplied to put the porch detail back to its original design and to move forward with a redesign of the small front yard. The proposal of the front yard is to install a brick paver patio at the ground level and to install a 36" high brick wall around the patio. CHAPIN PARK LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS I. THE ENVIRONMENT A. THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT The Chapin Park Local Historic District is a particularly fine residential area located close to downtown South Bend, the St. Joseph River, Memorial Hospital and Leeper Park. This section is meant to protect and guide appropriate maintenance of the common areas of the district (i.e. visual landscape and streetscapes). Required Brick streets contribute greatly to the character of the neighborhood. These streets have always been essentially passenger car thoroughfares. The appointments of the streets (i.e. lighting, curbs, horse hitches and monuments) should contribute as much as possible to their architectural, historic and residential character. Retention and maintenance of existing brick streets in the.district is required. Repair work to fill voids and gaps must utilize brick paver materials and acceptable installation methods whenever applicable. When utility work dictates the removal of street sections (pavers), the original materials will be reinstalled. Brick streets shall be patched with brick pavers. Concrete, asphalt, fillers and similar materials shall not be used. All original streetlights shall be maintained, especially the George Cutter "Park View" streetlights designed by the Cutter Company for this neighborhood. Present efforts by the Neighborhood Association and the Historic Preservation Commission to restore "Park View" streetlights to the district shall continue. Any change in lighting must receive approval of the Historic Preservation Commission. New or different fencing requires a C of A and shall reflect the style and character of the individual property and the surrounding environment and properties. Recommended The current or historic character of dawns should be preserved. Front yard areas, common dawnsand tree lawns should remain open. New or replacement trees should be compatible in variety with those presently growing. Vacant lots should be kept landscaped appropriately while vacant, and may be used for recreational or residential development. When replacement of utility poles or power supply lines is necessary, consideration should be given to underground conduits or utility poles erected along rear property lines.