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Introduction and property history since its purchase in 2015 I, David Visser, along with my wife, Karen Visser, of Edwardsburg, Michigan and 27 year residents of the greater South Bend area purchased the home at 50106 Bittersweet Trail in Granger, Indiana in July 2015. We desired to create a home that we could share with people looking to enjoy a piece of history and flavor of country living in our community, and it has proven to be be quite attractive for exactly that. In doing so, we knew it would also create financial resources for healthy investment into the home and property. This home's financial backing would be sound, and its care would not be dependent upon the motivation or finances of an owner. Violation Notice At the end of January, 2017 we received a violation notice from the Building Department, bringing us awareness of violations of the standards of the Historic Preservation Commission that relate to a previous demolition of the barn that had existed on the property — it having been done without a certificate of appropriateness, and having been done without a permit. (There were two other violations based on zoning and property use that have since been resolved). Remedies: We have actively and cooperatively made efforts to rectify ALL issues that relate to this home, renewing our responsibility awareness, and working with both the Historic Preservation Commission, the Building Department, neighbors of our property, and future guests of our home. Over the course of the year we have met with the HPC staff several times, presented at HPC meetings (April 27, 2017, May 15, 2017), submitted and successfully obtained CoNs on other projects, and have received commendation for our approach and documentation. Summary of situation: • The barn was dismantled without approval nor permit by previous owner • New owners are being held responsible for the obligation to obtain retroactive CoA • New owners are being held liable for the permitting, a mark which remains on the title until resolved, • Building Department will not approve permit, nor relieve new owners of liability unless there is a CoA from HPC, out of respect for due process. • HPC has petitioned for leniency on new owners, but has required more documentation of the worthiness for demolition before being able to approve a CoA without setting a precedent for demolition without proof and subsequent approval. • On an important side note, there is understandable concern for the transition work going on with HPC restructuring, Building Department restructuring and change -over of the current HPC board. For best continuity/conclusion, the timing of this CoA makes this meeting paramount in my opinion. Goal: I am hereby submitting the best documentation available in this unfortunate and retroactive situation, and appeal to the HPC board to approve this CoA, not for the purpose of setting a president for unapproved demolitions, but for the purposes of alleviating this grievous situation — for the Vissers, for the board, for the invested community members, and ultimately for the property and its more uplifting future.