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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br /> <br />Date: October 11, 2023 <br />Application Number: 2023-1005 <br />Property Location: 1240 West Thomas Street <br />Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Period Revival/1920/Firehouse #4 <br />Property Owner: Eric A. Boyd <br />Landmark or District Designation Local Landmark, #49037-99 <br />Rating: Outstanding <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Firehouse 44 is a 2-story rectangular brick building. It had <br />a flat roof with limestone parapet coping, metal parapet scupper/cornice with brick brackets underneath <br />and ornate limestone detailing at the ends. The windows are 1/1 double -hung with limestone sills. There <br />is a brick side chimney, and a roof penthouse with hip roof. <br /> <br />ALTERATIONS: Most of the windows in this former firehouse have been boarded up prior to a 2007 fire. RME <br />2011-1110 approved replacement of metal roof to secure the building and protect it from the elements, although there <br />is no evidence it was ever installed. COA 2016-0809 to construct shed roof over part of building, and second floor <br />addition atop one-story brick portion at rear of building with vinyl siding and replacement windows was denied. <br />COA 2017-0602 allowed for the (retroactive) construction of a two-story vinyl-sided addition at the rear of the <br />structure (requests for window replacement were included in the approval). COA 2017-0602A (DENIED by the <br />Commission but APPEALED/OVERTURNED by the Common Council of South Bend) allowed for the installation <br />of a half-gabled roof over the western portion of the structure, as well as an open courtyard in the eastern portion. <br />COA 2017-1205A allowed for the addition of wood trim (to simulate double hung windows) to the boarded-up <br />windows on the east and west sides of the building, as well as the addition of shutters to the boarded-up windows. AA <br />2021-0405 allowed for the removal of the half-gabled roof and the installation of a flat roof, reroofing of the hose <br />house, the installation of new downspouts, and repair/rehabilitation of exterior walls (masonry). AA 2022-0812A re- <br />renewed AA 2021-0405 for the installation of the flat roof. COA 2022-0906B-1 allowed for the reconstruction of the <br />hose tower. COA 2022-0906B-3 allowed for the installation metal accordion doors and of an overhead door to secure <br />the structure for the winter. COA 2023-0602B allowed for the installation of Car Dealership doors (two doors with <br />sidelites and transoms) in the right garage opening, as well as the installation of wooden bi-fold doors in the “left” <br />garage opening in front of the existing doors. <br /> <br />APPLICATION ITEMS: <br /> <br />“Replace window openings on Eastside upper + lower with Andersen Full Size Doors w/trim wood frame. <br />Current windows are Broken and Burned beyond repair. Replacement cost is over $48,000. Openings are <br />over 6FT Tall. Window Vault is over 14-18 inches deep. This would seal the building from elements and <br />allow heating.” <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: <br /> <br />Install salvaged / reclaimed Andersen Full size doors in oversized window openings on the east façade of the <br />structure. The proposed doors will be cut down to fit the openings. <br /> <br />Existing windows have been damaged/burned. <br /> <br />The applicant has installed wooden storm windows in other openings on the structure, adding to the exterior <br />aesthetics of the structure. <br /> <br />STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: <br /> <br />• Windows—pages 29-32