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Recommended <br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only alternative to <br />maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as <br />the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornicles, gables, eaves and other <br />architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when metal or vinyl siding has been installed in order to prevent <br />increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortal 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 duplicated in <br />composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or <br />rehabilitation effort, the property owner should contact the Historical Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County which <br />is located in the County/City Building of South Bend. The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of <br />rehabilitation and restoration. <br /> <br />Prohibited <br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material which is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was constructed, such as <br />artificial stone, brick veneer asbestos or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on masonry including <br />brick, s tucco, limestone, flagstone and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration. Brick <br />surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted originally. Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement <br />content which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building material. This can cause deterioration as a result of the differing <br />coefficient of expansion and the differing porosity of the material and the mortar, which can result in serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint <br />shall not be removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately. <br /> <br />Not Recommended <br />Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless required to solve a <br />specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and can accelerate deterioration of <br />the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointed should not be repointed. <br /> <br />B. ROOFS AND ROOFING <br />Roof shapes in the district encompass most of the various designs found in residential structures. Roofs are covered with a variety of <br />materials such as asphalt, asbestos, wood, and slate shingles, as well as clay tiles. Residences in most cases have wood fascias with gutters <br />and downspouts. The facias of some vinyl or metal sided houses are covered with the same material. <br /> <br />Required <br />The existing shape and materials of the roof shall be retained. All architectural features which give the roof its essential character shall be <br />retained, including dormer windows, cupolas, cornices, brackets, chimneys, cresting and weather vanes. <br /> <br />Recommended <br />Whenever possible, the original shape and materials of the roof shall be restored. Particular effort should be made to retain materials such as <br />slate, tile, and other unique materials not commonly found in new construction. Roof covering which is deteriorated beyond repair should be <br />replaced with new material that matches as closely as possible the original in composition, size, shape, color and texture. Gutters and <br />downspouts are often a necessary adjunct in order to prevent deterioration of the structure; they should be maintained whenever possible or <br />replaced with a style comparable and suitable to the architectural period. <br /> <br />Prohibited <br />Nothing shall be done to change the essential character of the roof as viewed from the thoroughfare by adding architectural features or large <br />unsightly fixtures, or by using materials inappropriate to the style of the house. The roof shall not be stripped of architectural features <br />important to its character. <br /> <br />Not Recommended <br />Overhanging eaves, soffits, brackets and gables should not be covered or enclosed when adding metal or vinyl siding to a building. <br /> <br />SITE VISIT REPORT: <br />N/A <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff proposes that the Commission only address the installation of the <br />aluminum soffits and fascia, as Staff will Administratively Approve the gutter installation. <br /> <br />The Standards and Guidelines state that the “deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through repair, <br />cleaning, and painting” and that the “existing or original architectural detail around […] eaves should be retained or <br />replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair.” Further, “overhanging <br />[…] soffits […] should not be covered or enclosed when adding metal or vinyl siding to a building.” <br /> <br />Staff recommends denial of the installation of aluminum soffits and fascia. <br /> <br /> <br />Prepared by <br />Adam Toering, Historic Preservation Administrator