Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Signed Minutes - September 21, 2020

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Mr. Garner explained that ultimately the State decides how the recommendation will be submitted to the National Park Service; that the previous eligibility had been done solely on the grounds of architecture, and that HPC staff, Indiana Landmarks, and Mr. Garner agree that the ethnic heritage importance is significant, and that the Commission's weighted support for this nomination may help with its review. Given the circumstances and current time, we think it is important to recognize in an official document the significance of the African American community here in South Bend in perpetuity. Mr. Zeiger stated that Indiana Landmarks feels very strongly that this nomination needs to be included under A) Cultural and C) Architectural criterion, and that he can't say it under any stronger terms. It's typical for church structures to be reviewed under the architectural heading; the Olivet AME church has cared for this structure almost as long as the original builder — we're right at the tipping point — but Mr. Zeiger thinks the significance of Olivet AME and the history of its building and its preservation outweighs the architectural, and that they need equal if not higher billing in this nomination. Because this Commission is a Certified Local Government, you can review these nominations before they go to the State and put your opinion on them. It is fairly rare for a Commission to push for a recommendation one way or the other, but since the initial review by the State was only under one heading, it would be beneficial for the Commission to state that "in our town, in our community — yes, it's important for Lowell, good for them, but — the history of Olivet is as paramount to this building as Lowell was to the builder, and so we strongly recommend that it be considered under cultural significance as well, even though that might have to bend the rules a little bit on how things are normally done." Mr. Zeiger stated that the Commission weighing in on this will help. C. LOCAL LANDMARK i. Bill 36-20: A Proposed Ordinance to Repeal the Designation of a Local Historic Landmark for Property Located at 60649 Hickory Road, South Bend, IN Legal Counsel Kennedy explained the circumstances of the Local Landmark at 60649 Hickory Road, South Bend IN, which was reviewed at the end of the 2019 for the replacement exterior siding. The owners of the property appealed the decision of the Commission and solicited the Common Council to delist the property from the Landmark register. The attorney of the property owner wanted this appeal to be heard in person, but the Council has not met in person since March of this year. Legal Counsel Kennedy spoke with their attorney and then approached the Commission in July to see whether delisting would be well received. The Commission unanimously passed a motion to support the delisting of the landmark at that time. The ordinance was drafted and submitted to the Common Council, Bill 36-20, in August, where it had first reading. It was sent to the Commission for a Public Hearing — this is that Public Hearing. The property is still only half sided, Mr. Modlin is present in the chamber. Legal Counsel Kennedy read Common Council Bill 36-20 into the record: "An ordinance of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, amending the South Bend Zoning Ordinance by repealing the designation of Local Historic Landmark, St. Joseph Ordinance #127-78, for property located at 60649 Hickory Road, Councilmanic District 5, South Bend, IN 46614. The Purpose of this Ordinance is to repeal the designation Local Historic Landmark for property that was so designated while it was located in St. Joseph County, Ordinance 127-78, but was subsequently annexed into the City of South Bend in 1989. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: