HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. 50106 Bittersweet_COA 2018-1204_PACKETSTAFF REPORT
CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Date: December 12, 2018
Application Number: 2018-1204
Property Location: 50106 Bittersweet Trail
Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: L-Plan/Italianate/1877/William C. Kownover Farm
Property Owner: David A. Visser
Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark, Ordinance No. 117-76, amended 11-1987, Indiana State
Register of Historic Places
Rating: Outstanding
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: The Kownover farmhouse is a 2 ½ story brick house with asphalt
shingle roof and stone foundation. 2/2 wood windows with segmental arches, with keystones, brick heads, and
stone sills, and two bay windows on the front. A portico with flat roof supported by square wood columns covers
the front entrance. The property has a summer kitchen of brick to match the house, a silo, as well as a one and a
half story barn structure.
ALTERATIONS: Original bay windows roofs have been replaced with higher pitch and wood shakes. Aluminum
storm windows have been added. There is a small addition to the rear of the house. Between May 2012 and
December 2014, the front portico was removed without a COA. The barn was taken down in 2014 without a COA.
Green space at site of former barn has been developed with a stone wall built of original barn foundation stones.
COA 2017-0403A approved installation of egress window on north side of house and landscaping to screen
window and adjacent A/C unit, creation of dumpster pad along south side of drive adjacent to road, to be enclosed
with fence, gates, and evergreens, and extension of gravel driveway. COA 2017-0501 approved installation of 6’H
dog-ear wood stockade panels along north property line. Appropriate shade tolerant plants and/or junipers to be
installed as necessary. COA 2017-1204A was tabled indefinitely by the Historic Preservation Commission – the
absence of a decision on the application resulted in the issuance of an approved COA on January 18, 2018. COA
2018-0306A allowed for the installation of a 40’ windmill. COA 2018-1001C allowed for the deconstruction of the
corn crib.
APPLICATION ITEMS: “Deconstruction has been completed as approved. This CoA is for the reconstruction.
See attached supporting documentation and proposal.”
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks approval for the following:
1. Construction of detached corn crib building,
a. Roughly a 20’ by 36’ structure,
i. Situated close to the existing barn building,
1. 2’ separation from the original building,
2. Applicant has expressed interest in concealing the separation behind lattice work,
ii. Replicating the previous structure in appearance and construction,
1. Replacement windows on the north and west faces,
a. Salvaged windows from the HPC inventory were being considered,
although none are available,
b. Staff has suggested that the applicant pursue salvage windows from
ReStore or other reclamation stores,
c. Alternatively, new manufacture Northview wood barn sash windows have
been approved in similar projects.
2. Replacement man-door on the west face,
3. Replacement garage door on the east face,
a. Applicant has expressed desire to utilize a ‘barn door’ garage door as
opposed to the metal generic garage door as was previously found on the
corn crib,
4. Half of the structure will replicate the corn crib with slats.
PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: N/A
GROUP B STANDARDS: LOCAL LANDMARKS:
A. Maintenance
The maintenance of any historical structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general cleaning and
upkeep of the landmark. The Commission shall encourage the proper maintenance of all structure or sites.
B. Treatment
Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface materials that will not alter the style or original form. Such improvements include re-
roofing, glazing, or landscaping lawns and may involve a change that can potentially enhance or detract from the character of the landmark.
A treatment change of any surface whether on the landmark or in its environment may require a Certificate of Appropriateness if it
significantly alters the appearance of the landmark. Although these kinds of changes may not require a Building Permit, a Certificate of
Appropriateness may be necessary. The commission should review the proposed treatment for character and style consistency with the
original surfaces.
C. Renovation and Additions
Renovation is the modification of a structure, which does not alter the general massing while an addition, is a change in mass. A
modification, which involves the removal of a part of the landmark, should be considered under demolition (see demolition).
Additions to landmarks should not detract from the original form and unity of the landmark and should not cover singular examples
of architectural detail. Additions to landmarks should be added in a manner that does not disrupt the visible unity of overall
appearance of the site. The proportions, materials and ratios of the existing structures should be carried through in the additions.
Care should be taken not to change or alter the following:
1. Structure—–Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to
cause minimal visual change to the original style and construction.
2. Material—Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as
the original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original.
a. wood—all wood trim should conform with existing trim in shape and size.
b. siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional
siding. Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar to the original
when renovation is considered.
D. Demolition
Historic landmarks shall not be demolished. When a landmark poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only alternative,
documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other descriptive methods should be made of both the exterior and interior of
the landmark. The person or agency responsible for demolition of the landmark shall be responsible for this documentation.
E. Moving
The moving of landmarks is discouraged, however, moving is preferred to demolition. When moving is necessary, the owner of the
landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
F. Signs
No neon or flashing signs will be permitted unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and super-graphics will also be disallowed.
Only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business.
G. Building Site and Landscaping
1. Required
Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the
property’s history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. Structures such as: gazebos, patio
decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises, and
other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed
from a public way.
2. Recommended
New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and
newspapers. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the buildings historic
fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable
flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate.
Fencing should be in character with the buildings style, materials, and scale.
3. Prohibited
No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways,
outbuildings, and other elements before evaluating their importance to the property’s history and development. Front yard areas
shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception
dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The submitted plan allows for the replicated corn crib to be built
separately from the existing barn structure; this new construction will appear (from the street and
approaching drive) to remain connected. Staff recommends approval of this proposed reconstruction,
based upon the adherence of the project to the Group B Standards and Guidelines, specifically Section
C, Renovations and Additions.
Written by
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Specialist
Approved by
Elicia Feasel
Historic Preservation Administrator
Satellite Imagery:
Diagram 1- 50106 Bittersweet Trail as seen in 2016 (top) and 2013 (bottom).
Photos:
Figure 1 - File photo of the main farmhouse from December 29, 2016.
Figure 2 - Corn crib, west facade.
Figure 3 - Corn crib, south facade.
Figure 4 - Corn crib, north facade.
Figure 5 - Corn crib, east facade. Note roof eave.
Figure 6 - Southwest corner of the corn crib.
Figure 7 - Southeast corner of the corn crib.
2018 1204
10/15/2018X