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Michigan was declared "substandard, dangerous and a public nuisance" on August 3, 2017; bids for demolition were requested <br />by the city; and the city subsequently awarded one on November 31, 2017 (see attached documents and news articles). <br />PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: <br />On November 6, 2017 at approximately 10 AM, I met with inspectors from South Bend Code Enforcement to walk through the <br />property located at 805 Leland/806 Ashland. I am familiar with the property as I did a previous walk through in 2014. The <br />property has had a number of owners by way of tax sales and transfers. I have attended 6 different code hearing in regards to this <br />property since 2014. <br />This last owner had done a down to stud removal of walls on the first floor. There have been numerous repairs on the rear portion <br />of the structure and some ceilings that were down in 2014 that are now in place. However, the ceiling on the south side of the <br />structure on the second floor has indications of water damage and infiltration. The outside photos show an area where the roof <br />meets the fascia and the roofing material is hanging. This is the same room that has the water damage inside. <br />The rear addition was actually an attached garage that had a second story added later on. As well as an additional story added to a <br />lower level located at the northwest corner. Although the addition above the garage appear sound, the addition added later is <br />"spongey" to walk on. There was movement as I walked across the floor both from the floor and the wall that separated the two <br />additions. <br />I walked through the basement and could see areas where the mortar has failed as well as some attempts to make repairs. <br />Disintegrated mortar is in plies as a result of water infiltration. I saw from the outside symmetrical cracks on both sides of the <br />east wall about 12 inches off the corner. These cracks go from the siding well into the ground level. The foundation on the <br />exterior is concrete but the interior Michigan basement is brick. Photographs will show daylight from the interior of the <br />basement. <br />I do not find the structure to be deteriorated beyond repair. However, the rear additions would need to be removed as they are not <br />structurally sound and add burden to the rear wall of the original structure. The roof line at the addition has failed in the past as <br />water marks and ceiling cave-ins have been indicative of that. The east wall of the basement would need serious repair and <br />bracing. The chimney has had stucco applied over brick but is out of square and is leaning. <br />Steve Szaday <br />Preservation Specialist <br />STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: CHAPIN PARK <br />IV. Safety and Building Codes <br />A. Building Code Requirements <br />Required <br />Building code requirements shall be complied with in such a manner that the existing character of the building is <br />preserved. <br />Recommended <br />Local building code officials should be consulted to investigate alternative life safety measures that will preserve the architectural <br />integrity of the structure. Variances for historic properties should be investigated. [...] <br />V.GENERAL <br />A. Buildings in the district should not be demolished except where buildings pose a threat to the public safety, and <br />demolition is the only alternative. Documentation of interior and exterior features of the original buildings, especially <br />homes rated as historically significant, is encouraged. Measured drawings and photographs may be submitted to the <br />Historic Preservation Commission for safekeeping and future reference. <br />B. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before moving any building or structure. The moving a building within, out of or <br />into the district is discouraged; however, moving is preferred to demolition. Building incompatible with existing structures in the <br />historic district shall be prohibited. <br />VL ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES <br />Enforcement of the preservation guidelines and standards for the historic district is made possible in the Zoning Ordinance of the <br />City of South Bend, ordinance No. 5565-73, as amended and the Historic Preservation Commission's Preservation Plan. <br />The Historic Preservation Commission may petition the Building Commissioner to use the legal means available to him/her to <br />force the maintenance and/or repair of any building or structure within the historic district in accordance with the intent of this <br />ordinance. <br />This ordinance, however, does not prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of any building or structure which does not <br />involve a change in any exterior feature, nor does it prevent the reconstruction, alteration, demolition or moving of any building <br />or structure which the Building Commissioner or other official has determined to be a hazard to public safety. <br />[... ] <br />In making its determination, the Historic Preservation Commission shall consider three factors: first, appropriateness of the <br />proposed work to the preservation of the building and district; second, the detriment to the public welfare if the proposed <br />work is permitted even though it is not deemed appropriate; third, the potential hardship that the denial of the Certificate of <br />Appropriateness would cause the applicant. <br />0 <br />