Standards and Guidelines 2023-0607

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 24 Residential Standards: Site Projects Construct a new deck • Decks should be installed only on the rear of the house . • Decks and associated parts like stairs, balusters and benches should be constructed of wood or composite materials and painted to blend with the house . • Existing driveways, sidewalks or paths should be repaired in the same materials, width and detailing as exists at the time of repair . If physical or photographic evidence suggest an alternate finish, size, or placement then the recreating of the historic construction should be considered . Curbs, steps, and street gutters • Maintain historic curbs, steps, and street gutters . • When replacement is necessary, use materials that are the same as the original materials . • Where limestone exists but its replacement is infeasible, concrete colored and finished to resemble the original is an acceptable alternative . Install a geothermal system • Installation of a geothermal system should be installed with the least amount of disruption to the site as possible . • Landscaping should be reinstalled in disturbed areas including screening for any visible equipment . • Mechanical equipment should be designed, sized, and located to minimize their effect on the character of a historic building and placed in locations that avoid obscuring the building or significant site features. The following is not recommended and generally not approved by the Commission: • Plantings and trellises that attach to the building such as climbing vines . • Stone, lava rock or other similar hardscape for planting beds . • “Broom finish” concrete. • Asphalt . • Parking areas in the front and side yards unless found throughout the district historically . • Semi-circular drives where none previously existed or are found in the district. • Loose stone driveways or sidewalks . • Decks in front or side yards . Return to the Table of Contents