HPC of South Bend and St. Joseph County - Standards Update Draft

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 162 District Addendums: Local Landmarks 1 . Structure—–Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to cause minimal visual change to the original style and construction . 2 . Material—Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the original . It should be the same size and texture . An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original . a . Wood—all wood trim should conform with existing trim in shape and size . b . Siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional siding . Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar to the original when renovation is considered . D . Demolition Historic landmarks shall not be demolished . When a landmark poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only alternative, documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other descriptive methods should be made of both the exterior and interior of the landmark . The person or agency responsible for demolition of the landmark shall be responsible for this documentation . E . Moving The moving of landmarks is discouraged, however, moving is preferred to demolition . When moving is necessary, the owner of the landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. F . Signs No neon or flashing signs will be permitted unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and super-graphics will also be disallowed. Only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business . G . Building Site and Landscaping (These standards apply to both A and B) 1 . Required Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property’s history and development shall be retained . Dominant land contours shall be retained . Structures such as: gazebos, patio decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises, and other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed from a public way . 2 . Recommended New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and newspapers . Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the buildings historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate . Fencing should be in character with the buildings style, materials, and scale . 3 . Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings, and other elements before evaluating their importance to the property’s history and development . Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped . The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares . Return to the Table of ContentsDRAFT