1. 626 Portage Avenue_COA 2025-1230 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: January 6, 2025 Application Number: 2025-1230 Property Location: 626 Portage Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: One story commercial/1927 Property Owner: Cassidy and Rich Fowler - Fowler LLC Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park LHD, Ord. #9575-05; Chapin Park Register Historic District NR-0407 Rating: Non-Contributing (2005) DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: The building is a small, one-story, early-20th-century commercial structure with flat roof and a stepped parapet with coping at the front elevation. The foundation is of concrete, ex- terior walls are brick, with horizontal fiber cement siding partially siding the front elevation. Below the parapet is a horizontal band of faux-prismatic glass above a projecting storefront canopy that spans the width of the storefront. Under the canopy, there are three 46”W x 76”H windows railed with 3/4ths height metal bars and a 36’ W glass door to the left. The building retains historic massing and storefront proportions. The existing facade was approved by the Commission in 2013 (2013-0422B), after the then owners consulted with then employee Steve Szaday on a design appropriate for the building and district. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: Alter the existing, 2013 facade in one of two designs. Final design depends on structural suitability, to be determined. Design 1. Install a centred, wider entrance door (42”W versus the current 36”W); install two 16”W x 84”H win- dows to the side of the proposed door; and install a pair of 24”Wx60”H windows to either side of the entrance. Install new siding where needed, in same fiber cement material as existing. Replace the existing five outdoor lights with updated, zoning compliant down-facing dark sky lights. Windows manufactured by Andersen in Fibrex mate- rial. Design 2. Same as above, with the only change being the recessing of the front, central door with 16”W x 60”H windows on either side. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Commercial Standards, Storefronts: Pages 57-58. SITE VISIT REPORT: On November 3, 2025, Administrator Ross Van Overberghe and Specialist Kate Himick met with the property owners on site. The property owners had been made aware of the Historic District designa- tion through the late-stage proceedings of the Vibrant Places facade grant process. Staff discussed the requirements for commercial properties in a Local Historic District and proposed design ideas that would conform to the local Standards and Guidelines and the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief on historic storefronts. The property owners stated that they would like to have greater safety and usability of the interior space. Property owners also stated that the windows occasionally appear foggy, despite keeping them clean. This is possibly due to a seal failure in the double-paned windows that were installed in 2013.