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General Definitions
<br />(B) PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
<br />• (b2) Rehabilitation (ADOPTED)
<br />Maintaining the existing character of the district, and whenever possible returning it to its original condition. Any rehabilitation
<br />would not require the removal of all non -original materials but would encourage the removal of all such materials which are
<br />incompatible with the defined elements of preservation for the district. The design of new construction or alteration would
<br />not require the duplication of the original design and construction, but should be compatible with existing structures and
<br />the district's defined elements of preservation. The use of original materials or construction techniques would be
<br />encouraged, but contemporary methods and materials would be acceptable when compatible.
<br />Il. EXISTING STRUCTURES
<br />A. BUILDING MATERIALS
<br />Original exterior building materials in the district include brick, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles, and brick or stone masonry. In
<br />some instances, vinyl, composite and aluminum siding have been applied over the original material.
<br />Required
<br />Original exterior building materials shall be retained when possible. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through
<br />repair, cleaning and painting. The existing architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves shall be retained or
<br />replaced by replicas of the same design when deteriorated beyond repair.
<br />Masonry, including brick and stucco structures, shall be maintained, and properly cleaned only when necessary to halt
<br />deterioration or to remove stains and shall be done in a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low-pressure
<br />water and soft natural bristle brushes. Brick or masonry mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of
<br />moisture problems, or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be
<br />duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile.
<br />When repairing stucco, stucco mixture shall be used. A professional shall make a study of the old stucco, to determine the exact
<br />mixture and underlayment used in the original work. Some repair methods are not compatible with the original techniques and
<br />may cause early disintegration of the repair work and the original work.
<br />Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when siding is installed, in order to prevent increased deterioration of the
<br />structure from moisture and insects.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. When maintaining or repairing original siding is not
<br />feasible, aluminum, vinyl or composite siding may be used. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size
<br />and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices gables,
<br />eaves and other architectural features.
<br />• Property owners should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County prior to initiating
<br />any restoration or rehabilitation effort. [ Address and contact information is listed in the front of the Guidebook.] The
<br />Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration — materials, methods,
<br />contractors and the like.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new materials that is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was
<br />constructed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles.
<br />Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone and
<br />sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration.
<br />Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can often create a bond that is stronger than
<br />the building material. Usage of Portland cement can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of expansion and
<br />porosity of the historic masonry unit and the mortar. This most often results in serious damage to adjacent brick.
<br />Unpainted masonry surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted originally. Paint shall not be removed from
<br />masonry surfaces by any means that damage the surface.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Waterproof or water repellant 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. Wood siding
<br />should not be power -washed.
<br />D. 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 />When deteriorated beyond repair, existing or original porches, stoops, patios and steps, including handrails, balusters,
<br />columns, brackets, tiles and roof decorations, shall be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design or by a design
<br />more in keeping with the historic period of the structure.
<br />Porches and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the building's historical integrity shall be
<br />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 />Not Recommended
<br />Original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing a different period or style from the original.
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