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stains, and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low pressure water and soft <br />natural bristle bushes. When repairing stucco, stucco mixture compatible in 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 the only <br />alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the <br />same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, <br />cornices, gables, eaves, and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when metal or vinyl <br />siding has been installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortar joints <br />should be repointed only when there is little evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to <br />stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application, and <br />joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or rehabilitation effort, the property owner should contact <br />the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County which is located in the County/City Building of <br />South Bend. The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration. <br />Prohibited <br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material which is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was <br />constructed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos, or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall <br />not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone, and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the surface <br />material and accelerates deterioration. Brick surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted unless they had been <br />painted originally. Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can often create a bond <br />that is stronger than the building material. This can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of expansion and <br />the differing porosity of the material and the mortar which can result in serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint shall not be <br />removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately. <br />Not Recommended <br />Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless <br />required to solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and <br />can accelerate deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointing should not be repointed. <br />B. WINDOWS AND DOORS <br />Window and door frames are in most cases wood. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. In some cases where <br />aluminum siding has been applied window trim has been covered. About half of the structures in the district have aluminum <br />storm windows, the other half wood windows. <br />Required <br />Original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods, <br />and hardware. When deteriorated beyond repair, they shall be replaced with units and trim resembling the original. <br />Recommended <br />Wood frame storm windows and doors painted to match the original should be used should not damage existing frames. <br />If new sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design, and hardware should be used. When metal <br />storm doors are used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. When awnings are used they <br />should be of canvas material. <br />Prohibited <br />Original doors, windows, and hardware shall not be discarded when they can be restored and reused in place. New <br />window and door openings which would alter the scale and proportion of the building shall not be introduced. <br />Inappropriate new window and door features, such as aluminum insulating glass combinations that require removal of <br />the original windows and doors, 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 />C. ENTRANCES, PORCHES AND STEPS <br />Most houses in the district have either an open or enclosed porch across the front. Most porches have either hip or gabled roofs <br />or are covered by the main roof of the house. <br />Required <br />Existing or original porches, stoops, patios, and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns, brackets, tiles and roof <br />decorations, shall be retained or replaced by replica of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Porches <br />and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the building's historical integrity, shall be retained. <br />Recommended <br />When enclosing porches for heat conservation or for other reasons, it should be done in a manner that does not alter the <br />architectural or historical character of the building. <br />Prohibited <br />Front porches, stoops, patios, and steps that are important to the building's style and development shall not be altered or removed. <br />Not Recommended <br />Original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing an earlier period or style from the original. <br />• STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval, as this project is in keeping with the <br />Standards and Guidelines for the Riverside Drive Local Historic District. <br />M. <br />