2. 419 West North Shore Drive_COA 2022-0805

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: August 10, 2022 Application Number: 2022-0805 Property Location: 419 West North Shore Drive Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Vacant Lot Property Owner: Katherine Spiess Landmark or District Designation: West North Shore Drive Local Historic District, #6512-78 Rating: N/A DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Site is between 425 West North Shore Drive and 411 West North Shore Drive and is comprised of two adjacent parcels (018-5129-4627 and 018-5129-4628). These lots were historically associated with 425 West North Shore to the west. ALTERATIONS: N/A APPLICATION ITEMS: “Single family, new construction. Two story on slab with attached alley-load garage.” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: Build an approximately 60’-5” x 81’ – 1 ½” wood framed structure on a slab foundation, set back approximately 59’ – 4 ½” from the street. The 2-story primary street massing (front) will be clad in brick, the one story rear in LP lap siding. Brick detailing includes qoins at the corners as well as arched brick lintels on the primary façade and flat brick lintels on the sides and rear. Roof will be covered in asphalt shingles at 12/12 and 12/14 slopes for the front massing, and 12/8 for the rear addition. A decorative limestone entrance surround is proposed for the main entrance, but the design has not been finalized. Final model selection on windows and doors has not be completed – windows are proposed to be finished in ‘Sandstone Exterior’ with a white interior. Black shutters are depicted flanking the larger picture windows on the eastern and western sections of the structure. A metal ‘black iron faux balcony’ is proposed for the opening above the primary entrance. The garage will be facing the alley in compliance with zoning requirements. This is the first new home construction on an empty lot proposed within any of South Bend’s local historic districts. The Standards and Guidelines for the West North Shore Drive Local Historic District specifically allow for new construction within the West North Shore Local Historic District. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: WEST NORTH SHORE DRIVE I. THE ENVIRONMENT The West North Shore Drive residential neighborhood from Michigan Avenue to Iroquois Avenue has a distinctive and valuable character. The external appearance of the river and street, homes, and yards communicates and reflects the fact that for over half a century it has been and still is a comfortable residential neighborhood. All of the architectural and charming character of West North Shore Drive has been preserved. The homes are generally architecturally and historically distinctive, large and located on ample lots. […] C. LAWNS The Current or historic landscaping character of lawns should be preserved. Paving and blacktopping of existing lawns so as to transform them essentially into parking lots or spaces rather than residential lawns must be prohibited. Front yard areas, trees, and lawns must remain open. Fencing in front yards is prohibited. A fence on the Michigan Street side of lots 12 and 13 may be permitted if done in a distinctive way and is compatible with the character of the structures on these lots, with considerations being made for the high density and speed of the traffic on Michigan Street. Trees contribute greatly to the beauty and charm and indeed the historic character of the North Shore Drive neighborhood. Street widening or other public developments calling for widespread destruction of large, healthy trees must be prohibited. Replacement of trees must be compatible in variety with those presently growing. The vacant lots must be kept as landscaped or appropriated recreational, or other similar residential development. This is not intended to prohibit the sale of such lots, nor new construction on these lots. […]