HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
<br />Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
<br />A. BUILDING MATERIALS
<br />Original exterior wall materials in the district include limestone, flagstone, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles, sandstone and
<br />masonry block. In some instances, vinyl or aluminum siding has been applied over the original surface.
<br />Required
<br />Original exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through repair, c lean-
<br />ing and painting. The existing or original architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves should be re-
<br />tained or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Masonry including
<br />brick, limestone, flagstone, sandstone and stucco shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to remove sta ins,
<br />and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low pressure water and soft natural bris tle
<br />bushes. When repairing stucco, stucco mixture compatible in composition, color and texture shall be used.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl siding may be used when it is the
<br />only alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be
<br />the same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows,
<br />doors, cornices, gables, eaves, and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when
<br />metal or vinyl siding has been installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or in sects.
<br />Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is little evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missin g
<br />to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method
<br />of application, and joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or rehabilitation effort, the property
<br />owner should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County which is located in the Coun-
<br />ty/City Building of South Bend. The Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and
<br />restoration.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material which is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was con-
<br />structed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos, or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall
<br />not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone, and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the sur-
<br />face material and accelerates deterioration. Brick surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted unless they ha d
<br />been painted originally. Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can often create a
<br />bond that is stronger than the building material. This can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of e xpansion
<br />and the differing porosity of the material and the mortar which can result in serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint shall not be
<br />removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless re-
<br />quired to solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and
<br />can accelerate deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointing should not be repointed.
<br />[…]
<br />C. WINDOWS AND DOORS
<br />Window and door frames are in most cases wood. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. In some cases where alu-
<br />minum siding has been applied window trim has been covered. About half of the structures in the district have aluminum storm
<br />windows, the other half wood windows.
<br />Required
<br />Original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods,
<br />and hardware. When deteriorated beyond repair, they shall be replaced with units and trim resembling the original.
<br />Recommended
<br />Wood frame storm windows and doors painted to match the original should be used should not damage existing frames. If new
<br />sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design, and hardware should be used. When metal storm doo rs
<br />are used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. When awnings are used they should be of canvas
<br />material.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Original doors, windows, and hardware shall not be discarded when they can be restored and reused in place. New
<br />window and door openings which would alter the scale and proportion of the building shall not be introduced. Inappro-
<br />priate new window and door features, such as aluminum insulating glass combinations that require removal of the original win-
<br />dows and doors, shall not be installed.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Awnings, hoods, and fake shutters made of metal, vinyl, or fiberglass should not be used if they would detract from the exist ing
<br />character or appearance of the building.
<br />III. NEW CONSTRUCTION
<br />New construction includes any new building or structure constructed within the boundaries of the historic district, or any ne w addi-
<br />tion to an existing building. New construction should be designed considering the appearance of the other buildings in the n eighbor-
<br />hood.
<br />A.HEIGHT AND PROPORTION
<br />The majority of structures in the district are two stories high and are square, rectangular, or irregular in plan. There are a few
<br />story-and-a-half residences. The prevalent façade proportions are between a 1:1 and a 1:2 height-to-width ratio.
<br />Required
<br />The height of a new structure and its height-to-width proportions shall be consistent with adjacent buildings in the district. The
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