HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. 809 Forest_COA 2019-0903A_PACKETSTAFF REPORT
CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Date: September 12, 2019
Application Number: 2019-0903A
Property Location: 809 Forest Avenue
Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: American Foursquare / 1890
Property Owner: Andrew and Sherri Andre’ Polianecki
Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local (Ordinance #9574-05)
and National Historic District
Rating: Contributing
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: The home is a two storey with an irregular floor plan set upon a brick
foundation. The roof is hipped with side gables and cornice returns and covered with asphalt shingles. The
chimney is slightly offset with corbelled brick. The exterior walls are 4 1/2” wood clapboard with frieze and
moulded cornice and corner boards There is a full width front porch with four slender turned spindle columns, a
concrete floor and moulded cornice. The windows are 1/1 double hung with moulded entablatures.
ALTERATIONS: The rear porch was enclosed and a one storey addition built onto the rear of the house. A bay
window was added to the west side of the house. The barn noted in the 1987 survey card has burned. There are
aluminum storm windows and a new roof. The original wooden porch has been replaced by concrete. A second
storey addition in the rear of the house was approved by the Commission in April, 2009. COA 2009-0601 allowed
for the installation of a wooden spaced French Gothic fence. RME 2017-0831 allowed for the removal and
replacement of the asphalt shingle roof and flashing. Two upstairs windows were removed, restored, and rehung by
the homeowner (with assistance from neighbors) in early Spring of 2019.
APPLICATION ITEMS: “A bay window exists off the dining room of this house and is not-original to the house
(built in 1894-1896). This bay windows is not in good shape and continues to separate from the house. A
significant amount of cold air enters the house during the winter, reducing energy efficiency. Parts of the wood in
the window are rotting. This window continues to deteriorate to the point where it is possible that it is causing
other damage to the house and it is necessary to replace it. A wooden bay window will likely be expensive enough
to prohibit our replacing the window at all.”
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness for
improvements on the structure including:
1. Reconstruction of a non-original bay window on the south side of the structure with three Royal Wood
by Polar Seal brand windows. The windows – per the manufacturer’s documentation – are vinyl.
Further installation information is as follows:
a. The existing windows will be removed,
b. The new vinyl windows will be installed into the existing frame,
c. Insulation will be packed around the perimeter of the window,
d. Silicone will be used to seal around the windows,
e. The exterior sills and frame are to be wrapped in aluminum
SITE VISIT REPORT:
Specialist Toering and Inspector Szaday visited the house December 18, 2018 at the request of the property owners
to consult on the condition of two upstairs windows. During the course of the site visit, the property owner
informed HPC staff of their concern for the bay window on the main floor. Photographs were taken to document
the condition at that time. The non-original bay window is comprised of four fixed panes (two on each side)
mounted on either side of an operable window in the central section constructed out of wood. Exterior framing and
finishing is also wood.
Paint flaking and chipping is visible on the exterior of the bay window.
Most of the other windows on the house have storm windows. The bay windows do not have a storm windows.
Temporary weather stripping to mitigate heat-loss has been installed.
Adam Toering, Historic Preservation Specialist
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: CHAPIN PARK
General Definitions
(B) PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
(b2) Rehabilitation (ADOPTED)
Maintaining the existing character of the district, and whenever possible returning it to its original condition. Any rehabilitation would not
require the removal of all non-original materials but would encourage the removal of all such materials which are incompatible with the
defined elements of preservation for the district. The design of new construction or alteration would not require the duplication of the
original design and construction, but should be compatible with existing structures and the district’s defined elements of preservation. The
use of original materials or construction techniques would be encouraged, but contemporary methods and materials would be acceptable
when compatible.
II. EXISTING STRUCTURES
A. BUILDING MATERIALS
Original exterior building materials in the district include brick, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles, and brick or stone maso nry. In some
instances, vinyl, composite and aluminum siding have been applied over the original material.
Required
Original exterior building materials shall be retained when possible. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented thr ough
repair, cleaning and painting. The existing architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves shall be retained or
replaced by replicas of the same design when deteriorated beyond repair.
Masonry, including brick and stucco structures, shall be maintained, and properly cleaned only when necessary to halt de terioration or to
remove stains and shall be done in a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low-pressure water and soft natural bristle
brushes. Brick or masonry mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems, or when sufficient mortar is
missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joi nt size, method of
application and joint profile.
When repairing stucco, stucco mixture shall be used. A professional shall make a study of the old stucco, to determine the exact mixture and
underlayment used in the original work. Some repair methods are not compatible with the original techniques and may cause ea rly
disintegration of the repair work and the original work.
Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when siding is installed, in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from
moisture and insects.
Recommended
Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. When maintaining or repairing original siding is not feasible,
aluminum, vinyl or composite siding may be used. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the
original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices gables, eaves and other
architectural features.
Property owners should contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County prior to initiating a ny restoration
or rehabilitation effort. [ Address and contact information is listed in the front of the Guidebook.] The Commission is an invaluable source
of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration – materials, methods, contractors and the like.
Prohibited
Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new materials that is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was constru cted, such as
artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles.
Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone and sandstone. This
method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration.
Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building
material. Usage of Portland cement can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of expansion and porosit y of the historic
masonry unit and the mortar. This most often results in serious damage to adjacent brick.
Unpainted masonry surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted originally. Paint shall not be removed from mas onry surfaces
by any means that damage the surface.
Not Recommended
Waterproof or water repellant coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless required to solve a
specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and can accelerate deterioration of
the masonry. Mortar joints, which do not need repointing, should not be repointed. Wood siding should not be power -washed.
II. EXISTING STRUCTURES
C. WINDOWS AND DOORS
Window and door frames are in most cases wood and vary depending upon the style o f the home. Many are double-hung windows with
wood trim and sills. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. In some cases where aluminum siding has been applied, th e window
and door trim has been covered. About half of the structures in the district have aluminum storm windows; the other half have wood storm
windows.
Required
Original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, p ediments, hoods and
hardware. When deteriorated beyond repair, they shall be replaced with units and trim resembling the original.
Recommended
Wood storm windows and doors painted or finished to match the original should be used but should not damage exis ting frames. If
new sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design and hardware should be used. When metal storm doors are
used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. When awnings are used, they sho uld be of canvas material.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff does not favorably recommend the proposed project, as the installation of a
vinyl window in the proposed configuration – even a later, non-original addition – is perceived to be a regression in
material.
Staff would prefer to see either A) a wooden (or other material) replacement proposal or B) the
installation of storm window(s) on the exterior of the bay window.
Written by
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Specialist
Approved by
Elicia Feasel
Historic Preservation Administrator
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
LOCATION MAP - Map showing location of the property and surrounding area (Google Maps)
AERIEL MAP - highlighted property on map
Sanborn 1899 1917 1945 1960 MACOG 2019
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
FRONT PICTURE (EAST)- Picture of the front of the building, December 18, 2018
SIDE PICTURE (South) - Picture of the South side of the structure, April 2009
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
PROJECT AREA (South) - Bay window, looking northwest, December 2018
PROJECT AREA (South) - Bay window, looking east towards the street. December, 2018
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
PROJECT AREA (South) - Bay window, looking north, December 2018
PROJECT AREA (South) - Bay window, looking west towards the rear of the structure. December, 2018
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
PROJECT AREA (INTERIOR) - Bay window interior, looking west, December 2018
PROJECT AREA (INTERIOR) - Bay window, looking west. December, 2018
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
PROJECT AREA (INTERIOR) - Bay window interior, looking west, December 2018
PROJECT AREA (INTERIOR) - Bay window, looking south. December, 2018
From:Adam Toering
To:Andre" Polaniecki
Cc:Andrew Polaniecki
Subject:RE: Bay Window at 809 Forest Avenue
Date:Thursday, August 29, 2019 2:11:00 PM
Attachments:COA Application 2019.pdf
HPC 2019 Meeting & COA dates.pdf
Andre and Andrew –
Wanted to follow up with you about the bay window project – yes, replacing the wood bay window
(as it is non-original to the house) should be straightforward. The first step in this process would be
filling out a ‘Certificate of Appropriateness’ application which is attached to this e-mail. The product
your contractor selected is a PVC material per the manufacturer’s specifications that I found online,
and unfortunately that may complicate things somewhat. From the perspective of our office, that
would be a regression in material (from wood to PVC), even if it is non-original to the house, and
would mean that Staff would be unable to administratively approve the project. This would result in
the project being heard at one of our monthly HPC meetings.
Some things to consider: were the replacement product a ‘new’ wooden bay, Staff would review and
approve it as an administrative approval. Did Barany present any wooden window options? The
cost of the wood window option will be important if you choose to go forward with replacing the bay
window with a PVC product, as you could make a financial hardship argument as to why the wood
replacement is unaffordable.
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Specialist
Department of Community Investment
(574) 235-7478
atoering@southbendin.gov
City of South Bend
227 W. Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 1400
South Bend, IN 46601
From: Andre' Polaniecki <duplechain@alumni.nd.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2019 8:46 AM
To: Adam Toering <atoering@southbendin.gov>
Cc: Andrew Polaniecki <apolanie@alumni.nd.edu>
Subject: Bay Window at 809 Forest Avenue
Dear Adam,
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying this gorgeous weather.
Andrew and I want to move forward with replacing our bay window. This structure is not original to
the house and you mentioned when you were over that the process to approve this would be rather
simple.
I have attached the proposal from Barany Windows as we have selected Option 1. The other
permits need Historical Preservation approval to be processed.
Please let me know if you need anything else from us to proceed. Thank you for your guidance as
this is the first time we are going through this process.
Kind regards,
Andre' Polaniecki
--
Sherri Andre' Polaniecki
South Bend, IN 46617
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