Required
<br />Original exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through repair, cleaning
<br />and painting. The existing or original architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves should be retained or •
<br />replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Masonry structures shall be maintained,
<br />repointed and properly cleaned when necessary. Masonry shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to
<br />remove stains and shall be done with the gentlest method possible, such as low-pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes.
<br />No chemicals, sandblasting or other invasive methods may be used to clean historic buildings. Stucco surfaces shall be
<br />maintained by cleaning and repainting when necessary. When repairing Stucco, a stucco mixture shall be used.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Aluminum or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only
<br />feasible alternative to maintaining the original surface material. When used on wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size
<br />and style as the original wood. However, it must be noted that such material can contribute to the deterioration of the structure
<br />form moisture and insects. Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when
<br />sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color,
<br />texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or
<br />rehabilitation effort, the property owner contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County at 125
<br />Lafayette, South Bend. The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration.
<br />C. Windows and Doors
<br />Window and door frames, in nearly all cases, are wood. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. Where metal or vinyl
<br />siding has been applied, window trim has been covered. Storm windows are of wood or aluminum. Windows are typically wood
<br />double -hung or metal casements.
<br />Required
<br />Existing or original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments,
<br />hoods and hardware. When deteriorated beyond repair, they shall be replaced with units and trim resembling the original or
<br />existing.
<br />Recommended
<br />Wood frame storm windows and doors painted to match the original should be used but should not damage existing frames and
<br />should be removable. If new sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design and hardware should be
<br />used When metal storm windows and doors are used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. When
<br />awnings are used they should be of canvas material.
<br />Prohibited •
<br />Original doors, windows and hardware shall not be discarded when they can be restored and re -used in place. New window
<br />and door openings which would alter the scale and proportion of the building shall not be introduced. Inappropriate new window
<br />and door features such as aluminum insulating glass combinations that require the removal of the original windows and doors
<br />shall not be installed.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Awnings, hoods and fake shutters made of metal, vinyl, or fiberglass should not be used if they would detract from the existing
<br />character or appearance of the building.
<br />VI. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES
<br />Enforcement of the preservation guidelines for the historic district is made possible in the Zoning Ordinance of South Bend,
<br />ordinance No. 5565-73. The Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a Certificate of Appropriateness before
<br />commencement of any construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition or moving of any house or structure within the historic
<br />district boundaries (see Appendix A). This ordinance, however, does not prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of any
<br />building or structure which does not involve a change in any exterior feature, nor does it prevent the reconstruction,
<br />alteration, demolition or moving of any building or structure which the Building Commissioner or other official has
<br />determined to be a hazard to public safety.
<br />The Historic Preservation Commission will accept applications for Certificates of Appropriateness only from the property owner.
<br />Property owners wishing to do, or have done, any work affecting the exterior of their building or land must apply directly to the
<br />Historic Preservation Commission on the form prescribed by the Commission (see Appendix A). The Commission will review
<br />the application and either issue a Certificate of Appropriateness or else deny the application, stating in writing the reasons for
<br />such denial. Upon such denial, the applicant may appeal to the Common Council.
<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 work
<br />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 />Where the Historic Preservation Commission deems it necessary, the commission may petition the Common Council for a •
<br />temporary delay in the issuance of the required permit(s) for proposed construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition or
<br />moving for the purpose of preparing an historic preservation plan for a building or district. Such a request shall be for a specified
<br />period of time. In no case may the delay granted by the Common Council exceed one (1) year, but the commission may petition
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