3. 715 Riverside Drive_COA 2023-0601B

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov Prohibited Front porches and steps that are important to the building’s style and character shall not be altered or removed. Not Recommended Original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing a different period or style from the original. E. MECHANICAL SYSTEMS The majority of the structures within the district have oil or gas heat, and have brick chimneys through the roof. Some houses have one or two window air conditioners. Required Required mechanical systems shall be placed in areas that will result in the least possible alteration of the structural integrity and physical appearance of the building. Solar collectors and TV dishes shall be placed at the rear of the property and shielded by shrub- bery and landscaping. Recommended Window air conditioners and exhaust fans should be installed at the rear or in an inconspicuous side window. Original lighting fix- tures should be utilized whenever possible. Prohibited Holes shall not be cut through walls or roofs to accommodate air conditioners or other mechanical equipment in areas that can be seen from the street. III. NEW CONSTRUCTION New construction includes any new building or structure constructed within the boundaries of the historic district, or any new addi- tion to an existing building. New construction should be designed considering the appearance of the other buildings in the neighbor- hood. New work may be contemporary of may suggest motifs from the historic buildings. New construction design should be clearly differentiated from the design of the historic buildings. A. HEIGHT AND PROPORTION The majority of structures in the district are two stories in height and are square or rectangular in plan. There are a few story and-a- half residences. The prevalent facade proportions are between a 1:1 and a 1:2 height-to-width ratio. Required The height of a new structure and its height-to-width proportions shall be consistent with adjacent buildings in the district. The building height shall be no greater than that of the tallest existing structure in the same block. Facade proportions shall be established by permitting no structure with a facade wider or narrower than those existing in the same block. Additions to existing buildings shall be related in height and proportion to the existing structure. Recommended Contemporary designs should be compatible in character and mood to the build- ing or neighborhood. Prohibited Additions may not be constructed that would change the existing facade of a building, alter its scale or architectural character, or add new height. Not Recommended New stories should not be added, nor should existing stories be removed, which would destroy important architectural details, features or spaces of the building. Any style or period of architecture that is incompatible with what exists should not be permitted in the new additions Height – this is a mandatory criteria that new buildings be constructed to a height within 10% of the average height of existing adja- cent buildings. Proportion of buildings’ front facades – the relationship between the width and height of the front elevation of the building. Proportion of openings within the facade – the relationship of width to height of windows and doors. Rhythm of solids to voids in front facade – rhythm being an ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements. Moving by an individual building, one experiences a rhythm of masses to openings. B. BUILDING MATERIALS IN NEW CONSTRUCTION Wall materials in the district are predominantly wood clapboard and its imitation in aluminum and vinyl. Some walls are brick. Pat- terned shingles are common in gable ends and dormers. Required Exterior materials used on a new structure shall be compatible in scale, texture, and color with adjacent structures. Materials used on an addition to an existing structure shall relate to the existing or original materials of that structure. As much of the original structure as possible shall be retained so that the addition could be removed without damage to the basic structure and appearance of the build- ing. Recommended Aluminum or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only feasible alternative. This siding should be compatible with the original size and style and with the materials of other buildings in the district. Prohibited Inappropriate materials such as asbestos, asphalt, cast stone, or artificial brick may not be used. Not Recommended Glass blocks should not be used. Concrete block should not be used for anything other than foundations.