Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Signed Minutes - January 21, 2020

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A change in the fee structure for retroactive projects could incentivize property owners to proactively apply. Commissioner Brazinsky asked if there would be a different fee for residential and commercial properties. Legal Counsel Kennedy clarified that the application could be different for residential or commercial properties. Specialist Toering asked for clarification on what the Commission considers residential or commercial property and cited the examples of the projects heard on the January agenda. Commissioner Hertel clarified that the fee structure could increase based upon the number of retroactive projects received from a property owner. Commissioner Stalheim cited `income producing' as a criteria that could be used to determine the application fee. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko clarified that property owners with both owner -occupied and income producing properties should not be held to a different Standard. Commissioner Stalheim responded that this is not the standards that apply to the property, but the application fee. Commissioner Hertel stressed that this must not be confusing for the office to implement. Commissioner Stalheim stated that it should be based upon building type. Commissioner Annis suggested single family, multifamily, and commercial. Administrator Feasel explained that the Building Department does a triple fee for work that has already been started. Specialist Toering explained that non- compliance with Certificate of Appropriateness process is a violation of the City of South Bend Zoning ordinance, and the Zoning administrator could levy daily fines were that violation process to be implemented. Specialist Toering clarified that there are three arms to our enforcement, the Building Department for construction related issues, Code Enforcement for maintenance issues, and Zoning Administration covers everything. Zoning Administration is the strongest arm of that enforcement, and it hasn't been utilized to its fullest extent. C. Historic Preservation Inspector / Zoning Inspector — Staff has interviewed applicants for the position, and an offer has been extended. D. Training — Administrator Feasel explained the commission efficiencies that staff are attempting to implement: the meeting seating arrangements, the credentials on your name card, publishing the packets earlier in the week so that Commissioners have time to provide comments or questions for staff, so staff can relay those to the applicant. Bylaws updates are expected. E. Financial Hardship — Commission members discussed the merits of a financial hardship clause that can be used when reviewing applications. F. Modlin Appeal — The property owner of 60649 Hickory has notified the Common Council of their desire to appeal the HPC denial of their siding project in 2019. Commission President Gelfinan asked for Commissioners to summarize their statements on the previous decision on the Hickory project in advance of the upcoming Common Council appeal. G. Preservation Conference — The 2020 Indiana Preserving Historic Places conference is scheduled to be held here in South Bend in April. The Commission has a number of scholarships available for the conference, and Administrator Feasel wants to ensure that any Commissioners who would like to attend the conference can do so. Commissioners interested in attending the entire conference or portions of the conference should notify her directly. H. 1609 Miami Street Commercial Structure (Fire) — Commissioner Ponder inquired about the status of the fire at 1609 Miami Street. Administrator Feasel and HPC pro-bono photographer Lou Sabo documented the condition for the historic record. I. Special Committee of the Whole Regarding Historic Assets — J. Sacred Spaces — Commissioner Ponder asked how we could proactively reach out to local historic churches and congregations to support them by connecting them to Indiana Landmarks' Sacred Spaces program. Administrator Feasel stressed that the program is Indiana Landmarks, and that there is a session at the Conference.