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approximate location wherever possible. Fencing visible from the street in front of the structure shall be open
<br />(meaning spaces between the
<br />pickets) and consistent with the historic character of a structure enclosed.
<br />Recommended
<br />New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs,
<br />drawings and newspapers. New site work should also be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale,
<br />type and appearance. Front yard areas should remain open. (See above for information regarding fences.) Trees in
<br />close proximity to a building may cause structural damage. Owners are encouraged to remove these trees and
<br />replace (or replant) them at a more appropriate location as soon as planting season permits and upon approval of a
<br />C of A.
<br />Prohibited
<br />No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings or other
<br />elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas shall not be
<br />transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped, nor enclosed by solid fences, chain link, nor
<br />industrial/commercial style fences. The installation of unsightly large devices, such as television satellite dishes,
<br />skylights or solar panels, shall not be permitted in areas where they detract from the architecture of a building, are
<br />intrusive to the public view of the building or are highly visibly from a public street, or ruled inappropriate after
<br />Commission review. Utility poles with high - intensity overhead lights should be installed so that they cannot be
<br />seen from a street. The Commission will evaluate all installations as well as any potential exceptions resulting from
<br />special circumstances, before granting a C of A.
<br />II. EXISTING STRUCTURES
<br />A. BUILDING MATERIALS
<br />Original exterior building materials in the district include brick, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles,
<br />and brick or stone masonry. In some instances, vinyl, composite and aluminum siding have been
<br />applied over the original material.
<br />Required
<br />Original exterior building materials shall be retained when possible. Deterioration of wood materials shall be
<br />prevented through repair, cleaning and painting. The existing architectural detail around windows, porches, doors
<br />and eaves shall be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design when deteriorated beyond repair. Masonry,
<br />including brick and stucco structures, shall be maintained, and properly cleaned only when necessary to halt
<br />deterioration or to remove stains and shall be done in a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e.
<br />low- pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes. Brick or masonry mortar joints should be repointed only when
<br />there is evidence of moisture problems, or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar
<br />joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint
<br />profile. When repairing stucco, stucco mixture shall be used. A professional shall make a study of the old stucco,
<br />to determine the exact mixture and underlayment used in the original work. Some repair methods are not
<br />compatible with the original techniques and may cause early disintegration of the repair work and the original
<br />work. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when siding is installed, in order to prevent increased
<br />deterioration of the structure from moisture and insects.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. When maintaining or repairing original
<br />siding is not feasible, aluminum, vinyl or composite siding may be used. When used over wood surfaces, this siding
<br />should be the same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim
<br />around windows, doors, cornices, gables, eaves and other architectural features.
<br />Property owners should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County prior
<br />to initiating any restoration or rehabilitation effort. [Address and contact information is listed in the front of the
<br />Guidebook.] The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and
<br />restoration — materials, methods, contractors and the like.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material that is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building
<br />was constructed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh
<br />detergents shall not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone and sandstone. This method of
<br />cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration. Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of
<br />high Portland cement content which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building material. Usage of
<br />Portland cement can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of expansion and porosity of the
<br />historic masonry unit and the mortar. This most often results in serious damage to adjacent brick. Unpainted
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