HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. 2119 Portage_COA 2019-1011A_PACKETSTAFF REPORT
CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Date: October 17, 2019
Application Number: 2019-1011A
Property Location: 2119 Portage Avenue
Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Greek Revival / 1865 –
“Isaac Marble House”
Property Owner: Jeff and Mary McKelvey
Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark, Ordinance #7020-
82
Rating: Outstanding
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: Two story Greek Revival (with ancillary one story wings) on brick
foundation. Two chimneys and a later heater exhaust punctuate the roof line. Exterior is brick with a stretcher
bond, stone sills and lintels. The roof is a shallow gable with short eave overhang and large frieze. The soffit was
enclosed prior to landmarking. Two wings were added flanking the original structure, later windows were installed
in those additions. Windows are double-hung 6-over-6 on the second story and double-hung 6-over-9 on the first
story. Some fixed windows are found in the original structure. Casements exist in the later additions. A front
porch spans the original structure, a side entrance has a stepped stoop.
ALTERATIONS: Two wing additions were added sometime in the 20th century (sometime after 1946?). COA
#1986-0903 allowed for the construction of an addition to the west side of the garage, as well as reroofing of the
south addition. COA #1986-1008 allowed for re-roofing and aluminum soffits on the south wing addition. A
‘cabana’ was constructed attached to the garage without COA in 1987. COA #1987-0807 allowed for the
construction of the front porch. COA #1990-0606 allowed for reconstruction of the deteriorated chimney with new
bricks. COA #1997-0829 allowed for masonry repairs to the main chimney. COA #1996-0912 allowed for
additional repairs and modifications to the masonry of the main chimney. COA #2001-0417 allowed for the
repair/replacement-in-kind of the split-rail fence on the property, landscaping, tree trimming. COA #2003-0929
allowed for the removal and replacement of exterior storm doors and entrance doors. COA #2006-0329-1 allowed
for the re-roofing of portions of the garage, as well as repair of the damages to the main roof. COA #2006-0720A
allowed for the re-roof of the main structure and garage with Tamko Heritage 30-year shingles, as well as the
replacement of the static air vents.
APPLICATION ITEMS: “Overlay metal on shingles, remove stove vent. (Standing-seam horizontal roof by
Central States Manufacturing, Inc.)”
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness for changes on
the structure:
1. Installation of a Horizon-Lock (produced by Central States Manufacturing, Inc.) standing seam,
textured painted steel roof over the existing asphalt shingles,
a. Panels are 16”, fabricated in varying lengths to accommodate different roof sections.
b. 13” ridge cap (painted)
2. Remove the stove vent on the southern wing addition.
The proposed material is a departure from the existing material. Metal was a common roofing material in the 19th
century, although no record of it being used on this structure can be found. The 1932 Assessor Card Indicates that
wood shingles were in use in the early part of the 20th century (this is indicated by ‘W.SH’ on the assessor card).
Standing seam metal roofs enjoy a long lifespan, if installed properly (by comparison, the current shingles are
believed to be thirteen years old).
Staff expresses one point of concern: if the new material is laid on top of the existing shingles, the flashing of the
new metal roof will come into conflict with the existing stone window sills, specifically at the front porch and at the
rear second story window (where the window air conditioning unit is located in the supplied photographs). The
front porch design (when originally submitted in 1987) was modified to ensure the second floor window sills would
not be impacted by the roof line.
SITE VISIT REPORT: N/A
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Local Landmark “Group B”
The Commission has the authority to determine the architectural merits and the extent of any proposed treatment, renovation, or addition to a
historic landmark. The commission will require drawings, plans, specifications, and/or samples where appropriate.
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 overa ll
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 (These standards apply to both A and B)
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, trelli ses, and
other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous wh en 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, an d
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 ar eas
shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV recep tion
dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the project as submitted, with the expressed
concern that the stone window sill should not be aversely impacted by the addition of the metal roof material.
Prepared by
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Specialist
Recommendation 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
1895 Atlas, "W. O. Jackson" estate, center 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, August 2019.
REAR PICTURE (WEST) - Picture of the rear of the building, August 2019
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
SIDE PICTURE (South) - Picture of the south side of the building, August 2019.
SIDE PICTURE (North) - Picture of the side of the building, August 2019.