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immediately replaced by suitable flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate. Fencing should be in character with the buildings style, • materials, and scale. 3. Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings, and other elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: With regards to the ancillary (small, vinyl -sided, non -historic) building, Staff recommends approval to demolish. No recommendation is made at this time regarding the options proposed for the main (Pleasant View School House) structure as there is insufficient detail submitted at time of COA application. Written by Elicia Feasel Historic Preservation Administrator Public Discussion: Todd Zeiger, 801 W. Washington. Indiana Landmarks was brought into this discussion as of March 13th. AEP has a very particular window wherein the structure needs to be removed by June 30th. The Historic Preservation Commission will not meet again until May 21St, and the house moving would need to be in place by June 1St. Mr. Zeiger expressed concern as to the impact that tabling this application may have on efforts to save this structure. Carol McDougal, 409 E Washington St, Lakeville, IN. "On behalf of the Lakeville Redevelopment Commission I am here to speak in favor of saving Pleasantville School and not demolishing it. Do we raze or renovate? Historic neighborhood schools were prevalent all over the county. Some were • only clapboard, wood -sided buildings, a few are still standing, but most have met their demise. Some were brick and mortar and are architecturally significant. The Pleasant View School House –which was built in 1902—is particularly one of those schools and is already designated a St. Joseph County Landmark. Although there might not be anyone left who actually attended this school as a child, there are certainly those who have fond memories of it as the "Old Country Bakeshop." Some of you may have stopped there on the way down US -31. When the school closed in 1931 it was turned into a residence until 1977. In 1978 it was converted into the country bakeshop. Our intent as the town of Lakeville is to move it into our downtown district or as near to it as possible – you have all heard of the phrase, "location, location, location." We believe that if we can place the building on Michigan Street in our downtown district, it can create an economic driver and be a boost to our businesses. The Redevelopment and Economic Commissions have been working the last few years to renovate the looks of our downtown district. We have offered incentives and fagade grants to our current buildings. We currently have two different prospective businesses interested in moving into our downtown. We would like to provide them with interesting places to move into. One thing Lakeville lacks is buildings with historic architecture and we believe moving the school house downtown would enhance the fabric of our community. Along with Indiana Landmarks and St. Joseph County, and Historic Preservation Administrators, we would also like to partner with the building trades programs at our high school as part of the renovation – and I know Todd [Zeiger, from Indiana Landmarks] has worked with other counties and cities that have done that. We believe that this school still has some education in its bones, but when a school is no longer suitable for teaching kids, we need to make plans for an adaptive use. This school doesn't belong to just one person, it belongs to the community. The school is also as old as Lakeville is, it was incorporated in 1902. It has been around as long as Lakeville has. Our ideal location is at the south end of town." • Commissioner Anderson made a motion to deny COA #2018-0404B as submitted without prejudice and with the caveat that, in the event of a reapplication, the application fee be waived. Seconded by Commissioner Gordon. 23