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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY <br />Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov <br />STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />Date: October 07, 2025 <br />Application Number: 2025-0916 <br />Property Location: 511 West Colfax Avenue <br />Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: <br />Tudor Revival/1898/Birdsell House/Wilson Parker, Archt. <br />Property Owner: Steve Mihaljevic/Anisah Michael <br />Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark, Ordinance <br />#8609-1995/West Washington National Register District <br />Rating: Outstanding <br />DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: The wood frame house has field stone veneer facade on the first <br />floor, second floor is brick veneer, gable ends of house are Tudor -style half timbers. The foundation is concrete <br />and stone and the half-timbering in the gables. Wood windows are diamond patterned along with a variety of other <br />configurations including some leaded and stained glass. Veranda is supported with stone columns with ornate capi- <br />tals. The porte cochere has a hipped roof. <br />DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: <br />1. Repair front, rear, and porte cochere steps with “Limestone Cement” Type IL by capping existing Limestone <br />where damaged. <br />STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: <br />Porch: 17-18; Site Projects: 22-24. <br />SITE VISIT REPORT: On multiple occasions Administrator Ross Van Overberghe met with the owner to dis- <br />cuss the condition and repair of the steps at the various entrances of the structure. Administrator Van Overberghe <br />observed the construction of the steps and how the individual steps are inserted into the stone veneer of the walls <br />making replacement difficult without deconstructing majors sections of walls. <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Existing original limestone steps at the front rear and porte cochere entrances <br />of the structure have had various forms of wear and damage. Replacement of steps would require the deconstruc- <br />tion of walls and stone veneer to insert new limestone pieces. Repairing in places only the areas of damage and <br />wear with a suitable limestone based material to best match color ans texture is the most appropriate solution at this <br />time. Based on the information provided prior to this public hearing, Staff make an FAVORABLE RECOM- <br />MENDATION. <br />Prepared by <br />Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator