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Masonry, including brick and stucco structures, shall be maintained, and properly cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to <br />remove stains and shall be done in a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low-pressure water and soft natural bristle <br />brushes. Brick or masonry mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems, or when sufficient mortar is <br />missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of <br />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 mixture and <br />underlayment used in the original work. Some repair methods are not compatible with the original techniques and may cause early <br />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 structure from <br />moisture and insects. <br />Recommended <br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. When maintaining or repairing original siding is not feasible, <br />aluminum, vinyl or composite siding may be used. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the <br />original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices gables, eaves and other architectural <br />features. <br />Property owners should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County prior to initiating any restoration <br />or rehabilitation effort. [ Address and contact information is listed in the front of the Guidebook.] The Commission is an invaluable source <br />of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration – materials, methods, contractors and the like. <br />[…] <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 or are <br />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, columns, brackets, tiles <br />and roof decorations, shall be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design or by a design more in keeping with the historic period of <br />the structure. <br />Porches and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the building’s historical integrity shall be 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 architectural or <br />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. <br /> SITE VISIT REPORT: <br />Staff visited the property in 2018 to consult with the previous property owner about how to handle the now <br />removed asbestos siding. Many of the details of the house were covered by the asbestos siding. The rear porch <br />details were visible at that time and this porch offered some of the few visible character defining features on the <br />property. Staff visited the property again in March of 2021 following the removal of the asbestos siding and took <br />photographs of the posts at that time; the unveiling revealed the fish-scale / scallop wood siding on the second <br />story. <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends dividing the project into two components: <br /> <br />1) RETROACTIVE replacement of the rear porch posts, railings, and spindles: Staff recommends <br />denial. Porches of this architectural style were often supported by turned posts and delicate <br />spindles and railings. <br />2) Extension of the existing south shed dormer over the front entrance stoop: Staff recommends <br />approval, subject to an amended design with turned decorative posts. Porches of this <br />architectural style were often supported by turned posts and delicate spindles and railings. <br /> <br />Prepared by <br />Adam Toering, Historic Preservation Administrator