|
preponderance of the homes have been erected on a single lot. Most of the properties include a double garage,
<br />usually located at the rear of the property. The majority of garages are accessed from straight driveways leading
<br />from the main thoroughfare, while a few are accessed from the alley. There are also a few homes with a covered
<br />carport located at the rear of the property, as well as a few with circular driveways. Driveway and sidewalk
<br />materials include concrete, asphalt and brick. All of the properties have trees and most have trimmed shrubbery
<br />and/or hedges. Most of the houses conform to a uniform setback line within each block.
<br />Required
<br />Plants, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the
<br />property's history and development shall be retained.
<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 be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type
<br />and appearance. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the
<br />building's historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be
<br />immediately replaced by suitable flora. All high - intensity security lights should be approved by the Historic
<br />Preservation Commission.
<br />Prohibited
<br />No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing,
<br />walkways, outbuildings or other elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and
<br />development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. Front yard
<br />areas shall not be fenced and fences shall not extend forward beyond the setback line of the house. The installation
<br />of unsightly devices such as television reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where
<br />they can be viewed from the public thoroughfare.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Telephone or utility poles with high - intensity overhead lights should be installed so that they cannot be seen from
<br />the thoroughfare.
<br />EXISTING STRUCTURES
<br />A. BUILDING MATERIALS
<br />Original exterior wall materials in the district include limestone, flagstone, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles,
<br />sandstone and masonry block. In some instances, vinyl or aluminum siding has been applied over the original
<br />surface.
<br />Required
<br />Original exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through
<br />repair, cleaning and painting. The existing or original architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves
<br />should be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair.
<br />Masonry including brick, limestone, flagstone, sandstone and stucco shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt
<br />deterioration or to remove stains, and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e.
<br />low pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes. When repairing stucco, stucco mixture compatible in
<br />composition, color and texture shall be used.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl siding may be used when it is
<br />the only alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this
<br />siding should be the same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original
<br />trim around windows, doors, cornices, gables, eaves and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be
<br />afforded the structure when metal or vinyl siding has been installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of
<br />the structure from moisture and /or insects. Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of
<br />moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar
<br />shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile. It is
<br />emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or rehabilitation effort, the property owner should contact the
<br />Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County which is located in the County /City
<br />Building of South Bend. The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation
<br />and restoration.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material which 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 />
|