4. 559 River Avenue_COA 2024-0703 PACKET

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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 STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: July 10, 2024 Application Number: 2024-0703 Property Location: 559 River Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: American Four- square / 1920 / Whitcomb and Keller Property Owner: Robert Montgomery Landmark or District Designation: Edgewater Place LHD, Or- dinance #6846-80 Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: A two story rectangular plan house with asbestos shingle siding. Windows are 5/1 vertical muntins. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: 1. Demolish cinder block garage and rebuild with wood frame and a pitched roof. Cement board shingle sid- ing to match house. 2. Re-roof house, new soffit new fascia, new gutters 3. Remove exterior door on second floor. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Demolition: Page 38; New Construction: Pages 33-35; Roof, Gutters/Downspouts, soffits: Pages 19-21 SITE VISIT REPORT: Staff visited in early spring with the contractor to inspect and discuss the project. The cinder block garage roof is collapsing and is unsafe. The block walls have been compromised. Repair of block walls is cost prohibitive. The exterior door on the second floor is no longer used to access the garage roof and will not be needed in the future. The current roof is asphalt shingle and fascia and soffit are aluminum. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff makes a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION to replace the asphalt shingles, fascia and soffit. The garage was likely and addition in the 30s or 40s. Loss of the block garage will not negatively impact the integrity of the house. Staff makes a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION for recon- struction of the garage and removal of second floor door. Prepared by Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator