12.15.2025 HPC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION additions introduced modern forms like Ranch, American Small House, Art Moderne, and Usonian-inspired designs. This diversity reflects changing architectural trends and suburban ideals during the early and mid-20th century. The district is also notable under criterion A/community planning and development as the district's development was shaped by its strategic location between downtown South Bend and the University of Notre Dame, offering suburban amenities with easy city access. Planned features such as wide boulevards, sidewalks, tree lawns, and ornamental lighting underscored its appeal to upper- and middle-class families. Many homes were designed by prominent architects, including W.W. Schneider, Austin & Shambleau, and Callix E. Miller, ensuring high -quality craftsmanship. Despite later infill and modernization, Harter Heights retains exceptional historic integrity, making it a significant example of suburban growth and architectural evolution in the Midwest. The district also qualifies under the multiple properties documentation form: Historic Residential Suburbs in the U.S., 1830-1960. The Harter Heights Historic District is largely composed by the Harter Heights Addition recorded in 1916 with residential lots marketed for suburban living between the center part of the city and the campus of Notre Dame University. Therefore, the district qualifies under the sub -type of the MPDF: Early Automobile Suburbs: 1908 to 1945. Staff finds the application makes a good case for nomination through its research and documentation along with supporting materials. Staff Comments: Staff have evaluated the submitted nomination according to procedures, policies, standards, and criteria established by the National Park Service and the Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology pursuant to Certified Local Government and applicable federal regulations. The contextual development, format, supplementary documentation, and information presented are considered accurate and appropriately executed. Staff have also determined that the Harter Heights Historic District meets the applicable criteria as defined in this review and considers the area, as delineated by the justified boundaries, to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Public officials and interested parties have been notified by letter of the pending nomination. All have been given the opportunity to provide the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County with written comments or objections. To date, no submissions have been presented. Staff Recommendation: It is recommended that the Historic Preservation Commission concur with staff that the district meets the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C. Staff requests that the Commission direct staff to submit the appropriate report of the public hearing, including public comments, to Mayor James Mueller for his concurrence, in compliance with Indiana's Certified Local Government regulations. The Certified Local Government Report on the Nomination of the Harter Heights Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places will then be forwarded to the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology for further review, followed by consideration of the nomination by the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board. Page 12 November 17, 2025