5. 1240 West Thomas Street_COA 2023-0602B

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: June 14, 2023 Application Number: 2023-0602B Property Location: 1240 West Thomas Street Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Period Revival/1920/Firehouse #4 Property Owner: Eric A. Boyd Landmark or District Designation Local Landmark, #49037-99 Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Firehouse 44 is a 2-story rectangular brick building. It had a flat roof with limestone parapet coping, metal parapet scupper/cornice with brick brackets underneath and ornate limestone detailing at the ends. The windows are 1/1 double -hung with limestone sills. There is a brick side chimney, and a roof penthouse with hip roof. ALTERATIONS: Most of the windows in this former firehouse have been boarded up prior to a 2007 fire. RME 2011-1110 approved replacement of metal roof to secure the building and protect it from the elements, although there is no evidence it was ever installed. COA 2016-0809 to construct shed roof over part of building, and second floor addition atop one-story brick portion at rear of building with vinyl siding and replacement windows was denied. COA 2017-0602 allowed for the (retroactive) construction of a two-story vinyl-sided addition at the rear of the structure (requests for window replacement were included in the approval). COA 2017-0602A (DENIED by the Commission but APPEALED/OVERTURNED by the Common Council of South Bend) allowed for the installation of a half-gabled roof over the western portion of the structure, as well as an open courtyard in the eastern portion. COA 2017-1205A allowed for the addition of wood trim (to simulate double hung windows) to the boarded-up windows on the east and west sides of the building, as well as the addition of shutters to the boarded-up windows. AA 2021-0405 allowed for the removal of the half-gabled roof and the installation of a flat roof, reroofing of the hose house, the installation of new downspouts, and repair/rehabilitation of exterior walls (masonry). AA 2022-0812A re- renewed AA 2021-0405 for the installation of the flat roof. COA 2022-0906B-1 allowed for the reconstruction of the hose tower. COA 2022-0906B-3 allowed for the installation metal accordion doors and of an overhead door to secure the structure for the winter. APPLICATION ITEMS: “Replace over Head Garage w/ Car Dealership Door 2-Parts Not 3 – The Original COA door requested has not Become available yet since December, owner wants to move forward.” “Replace Opening In Front of Bi-fold doors / keep Bifold Door Place new Carriage Doors In Front the Vault on < > is Greater than 18 inches from outside to old Doors / Current Doors are not air-tight or Secure allows for Full Function of space.” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval for two projects: COA 2023-0602B-1 – Replace overhead garage doors with metal pedestrian doors with side lights and transoms. Staff makes no recommendation. The proposed doors are 90” tall, 36” and 56” wide, with sidelights and 15” transom. The Standards and Guidelines require that “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.” The proposed doors do not replicate the pattern/configuration of the existing carriage doors and are indicative of a more contemporary/modern architectural style. COA 2023-0606B-2 - Replace wood overhead doors with wood bi-fold doors. Staff recommends approval.