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STAFF REPORT • CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: August 8, 2018 Application Number: 2018-0725 Property Location: 627 Portage Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Free -Classic / 1900 Property Owner: DSN IRA, LLC Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local (Ordinance #9574-05) and National Historic District Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: Two and a half story irregular plan on a stone foundation. The 2005 survey card indicates that the structure may have originally been a Gabled -El that was then added -to. The roof is gabled and has returns. A full -width porch is partially enclosed with metal supports and railing at the entrance. There are a variety of 1/1 double -hung windows, as well as fixed attic lights. Assessor information indicates that a frame garage was built in 1943, that girders and posts in the base were added in 1946, and that an addition to the house was added in 1951 (including re -opening a portion of the porch). ALTERATIONS: In addition to the modifications listed in the description, RME 2008-0514 allowed for the in- kind replacement of the roof shingles. APPLICATION ITEMS: "Building fence on a side of building." •DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks a retroactive Certificate of Appropriateness for improvements on the structure: The installation of a fence along the northwest edge of the property, providing privacy and security for the tenant. The fence is broken -up / interrupted by a hedge growing in the same area. a. The fence does not run the length of the entire lot, but instead only provides the following barrier: i. 6' H fence for a total of 26' in two sections separated by a hedge (13' 3 1/2" and 8' 1 1w, ) ii. A section of fence that transitions in height from 6' to 4' for a distance of 5' 2" iii. A 4' H section of fence that runs for 8' 9" towards the street, following the contours of the front yard. b. The fence is made from treated lumber, c. The fence does not have any transparency, as it is constructed of boards affixed on both sides of the supporting posts and cross -beams, and is approximately 8" thick. d. The posts are set in concrete. This project was `red -tagged' by the Building Department on July 25, 2018. The Building Department is waiting for our review before levying any fines, fees, or penalties upon the project. SITE VISIT REPORT: N/A STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: CHAPIN PARK I. THE ENVIRONMENT A. The District Environment The Chapin Park Local Historic District is a particularly fine residential area located close to downtown South Bend, the St. Joseph River, • Memorial Hospital and Leeper Park. This section is meant to protect and guide appropriate maintenance of the common areas of the district (i.e. visual landscape and streetscapes). Required Brick streets contribute greatly to the character of the neighborhood. These streets have always been essentially passenger car thoroughfares. The appointments of the streets (i.e. lighting, curbs, horse hitches and monuments) should contribute as much as possible to their architectural, historic and residential character.