EXHIBIT C- STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES of the HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

Home Browse Search

Guidebook Chapin Park Local Historic District Page 90 APPENDIX B Overall Recommendations for Landscape Preservation in Local Historic Districts VEGETATION 1. Having a list for each Local Historic District that outlines the species of trees allowed in order to maintain species variety as well as visual continuity. When a resident wants to plant a tree in the tree lawn adjacent to their home the list unique to their district can be presented and they can make an informed decision. 2. Any new construction near existing trees, such as sidewalks or driveways, should not encroach on their roots. Disturbance of the root systems can cause serious damage and death. 3. Encourage the use of the botanical or Latin name when specifying which tree is being discussed. This should eliminate any confusion arising from the use of slang terms or common names. 4. Making a Permit necessary for the planting of trees. Requiring the type of tree to be specified will enable the database that has been established to be updated with ease and will keep the records current. 5. Arecord of the trees present and those planted should be kept to ensure a variety of species and thereby avoid a monoculture in any given area. In the future, limits could be set on the number of any one species of tree within each district. This would further eliminate the possibility of a mono- culture and insure visual interest in the street tree planted. 6. Significant trees should be removed only in cases of disease or insect infestation, storm damage when public safety is a factor, or when death of the specimen is impending. 7. Any vegetation with thorns or fruit should be restricted to establishment at least 5 feet away from public rights-of-way. Thorns pose an obvious danger, especially when thorny trees are hanging over the sidewalk at eye level. Fruit, such as that of the Flowering Crabapple, can cause a pedes- trian to slip and lose their balance and fall. TOPOGRAPHY Terracing, planting, ornamentation and any other element that disrupts the effect of the elevation change should be prohibited when the topography is designated as a significant landscape ele- ment in a district. The Local Historic Districts fit into an interesting web of activity within the city of South Bend. With the exception of East Wayne Street and Taylor’s Field Local Historic Districts, all of the districts have some kind of connection to the water. The river is an important historic landscape element. Historically, the river provided transportation of goods and people, a source of water for crops and livestock, and a means of entertainment and recreation. The river continues to provide all of these necessities. The Local Historic Districts that are along the river could easily be connected to the Riverwalk, Park and Greenway System that has been designed for South Bend. This type of approach would strengthen the ties of various historic elements in the city and make more appar- ent the value of these somewhat neglected features. A portion of Riverside Drive Local Historic District is directly across the river from West North Shore Local Historic District and is connected by the Leeper Park Bridge. Although the physical Continued on page 93