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Home My WebLink About2. 605 Rex_COA 2019-0830_PACKETSTAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: September 11, 2019 Application Number: 2019-0830 Property Location: 605 Rex Street Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Gabled-front / 1899 or 1905 Property Owner: Joan M. Downs Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local (Ordinance #9574-05) and National Historic District Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: The house located at 605 Rex is a gable-front one and a half-story structure with original shingles in the gable and clapboard siding and corner boards. There is a full width screen enclosed porch with wood supports set on brick piers and rail with stone caps. There is wood and chain link fence along the side yard on the west and a stockade fence along the east side. ALTERATIONS: Original second floor street-facing window (described in the survey card as “very long paired windows in gable”) was replaced sometime after it was photographed in 1987. COA 2008-0903 allowed for the installation of the wooden and chainlink fence around the rear of the property. COA 2011-0607 allowed for roof, soffit, and gutter repair following ice melt damage. COA 2018-0530A allowed for the replacement of the second story front façade window, as well as the installation of new railings at each of the entrances. RME 2018-0530B allowed for the construction of custom wooden storm windows. APPLICATION ITEMS: “See attached sheets.” “Exterior work at 605 Rex Street will include: Back of the house: -replacement of the missing skirt board around the back of the house, - reframing of the back door and insertion of new historically appropriate door to match the existing kitchen door (single pane glass half the door’s height approximately with coffers below), - construction of a small deck to make access to the back kitchen door possible (porch to be low and have low historically appropriate railing and 2-3 steps to the garden, with lattice below porch floor, see drawings), - construction of a window immediately to the east of the back door to add light to the interior of the kitchen / mudroom, wi(n)dow will measure approximately 1 x 2 feet and be double hung wood clad by Marvin. East side of the House: - addition of a simple metal decorative railing to the house at the front kitchen door (see specs), - addition of a railing to the front porch on the house side of the door to the screen porch we will add a simple railing (see drawings), - reconstruction of the entrance wall to the screen porch to include proper siding but retain the general plan which is currently there with windows above a low wall, - replacement of the stylistically inappropriate second floor front window (see photo) new window will be good clad double hung window to match existing windows from Marvin Windows (see specs), - construction of a small garden shed along the fence in the back garden which is closest to the northeast corner of the house (see drawings), DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness for improvements on the structure including: 1. Modifications to the rear (north) of the house, including: a. Replacement of the missing skirt board (with wood), b. Replacing the existing rear door with a historically appropriate half-lite door, c. Installing a new wooden 3’ x 2’ window in the wall beside the rear door, d. Constructing a new treated deck with steps, railings, and square ballisters, 2. Modifications to the East side of the house, including: a. Addition of simple metal railings on both the front entrance steps as well as the kitchen entrance steps, b. Reconstruction of the east wall enclosing the front porch by: i. Reconstructing the lower wall sections and section beside windows to replicate the siding pattern of the remainder of the house, ii. Reconfiguring the windows and door enclosures (see schematics – screen door and window size changes are minimal), 3. Replacement of the upstairs gable window (currently 6 over 6, vinyl[?]), to be replaced with wood 1 over 1 window, manufacturer to be determined). SITE VISIT REPORT: N/A 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 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 appl ied, the 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. D. ENTRANCES, PORCHES AND STEPS Most houses in the district have either an open or enclosed porch across the front. Most porches have either hip or gabled ro ofs or are covered by the main roof of the house. Required When deteriorated beyond repair, existing or original porches, stoops, patios and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns, brackets, tiles and roof decorations, shall be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design or by a design more in kee ping with the historic period of the structure. Porches and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the building’s historical integrity shall be retained. Recommended When enclosing porches for heat conservation or for other reasons, it should be done in a manner that does not alter the architectural or historical character of the building. Not Recommended Original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing a different period or style from the original. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the project, as it conforms to the Standards & Guidelines of the Chapin Park Local and National Historic District. 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 1917 1945 1960 MACOG 2019 SURVEY CARD PHOTOS - 1987 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov FRONT PICTURE (SOUTH)- Picture of the front of the building, September 11, 2019. SIDE PICTURE (South West) - Picture of the South West of the building, September 11, 2019 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 East) - Picture of the side of the building, May 2018 PROJECT AREA (North side) - Door at left to be replaced, new window added. May, 2018