HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 1974HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF
SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA
A G E N D' A
Regular Meeting Conference Room
July 8,- 1974Area Plan.;Cominission
7:30.P.M. Room,A1123, County-City�-Building
1 - Call to Order
2. Roll.Call.
3. -Approval of -Minutes
4. Treasurer's Report
5. Correspondence
6. Committee Reports
a. Budget and Finance Committee
b: Historic Landmarks Committee
c. Historic Districts Committee
7. Old Business
.a. Review of consultants' proposals
b. By-laws-
c.
y-lawsc. Letterhead design
d. Secretarial assistance
e. Grant application to the Indiana Committee on the Humanities
f. Proposal from Southhold relative to cataloging.slides for.mutual.use
g. Memberships: National Trust
Historic Landmarks Commission of Indiana
h. Library
i. Railroad -conference, July 20-21
8. New Business
Hearing of Visitors-
10.
isitors10. Announcements and Miscellaneous Matters -
11. Adjournment
HISTORIC PRESERVATION:COMMISSION
OF
SOUTH BEND AND ST,,JOSEPH.COUNTY,'INDIANA
M:I- N TT E S
Regular Meeting Conference Room
Monday, July 8,-1974 Area Plan Commission
7:30 P.M. Room 1123, County -City Building
1. Call to Order
Chairman Smith called the meeting to -order at 7:35 p.m.
2: Roll, Call
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Jack Smith, Mrs. William Davisson,
Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, Mr. John Oxian, Mrs.
Donald Sporleder, Mrs. -George Woolridge,.
Mr. Russell Rothermel
- MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Al Paszek, Mr. Alonzo Stivers
ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Ruth -Price, Mrs. Judy Studer
3. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of_ 'the June 20, 1974 meeting were -approved -
as submitted.
4. Treasurer's'Report,
Mrs. Studer suggested that Mrs. Davisson-check with Mrs.
Davis„of. the Plan Commission office ' and- see' what her
procedure will be -in paying the Historic Preservation
Commission's bills.
5. Correspondence
Mr: Rothermel-read a letter_ received from Charles Lennon,
'Department of Redevelopment, which reads as follows:
"July -1, 1974
Mr: Joseph Barberi
Catholic Charities
919'Fairfield Avenue -
Ft. -Wayne, -IN -50642
Dear Mr. Barb`eri:
On behalf of the Redevelopment.Commission and as.the
Executive -Director of -the Department of Community Development,
I am writing concerning your plans for the demolition of
the Building at 126 South Taylor Street.-
We.are'deeply concerned that this structure,,which is in the
historical district and which is part of the Model'Cities
area, is being considered for demolition -at this time. We
are requesting that you place'a_."hold" on the demolition
progress of this particular building.until all agencies can,
coordinate and attempt to save the building for historical use,:
Please give this request your serious consideration for it
will have long range efforts on stabilizing that particular
neighborhood..
If -our department can be of any assistance, please let -me
know.
Have' a- Good. Day
Sincerely,
(s) Charles -F. Lennon-, Jr.
Executive -Director"
6. Committee Reports
a. Budget and Finance Committee
Mr. Smith suggested.�that Mr.. Oxian set up a meeting with
this.Committee and the.County Commissioners_ to.review
the -Commission's -,proposed budget for 1975.
Mr. Smith said that,the-Commissioners' Secretary called him
and.said that they would like to meet with the Commission:
possibly -on July 9, at 1:OO or 1:30.p.m. After some,discussion,
it -was decided. -that they would not meet with the Commissioners
on that date, but would suggest a date later next week, to
give themselves time:to-prepare for•the meeting.-.
Mrs. Davisson-said that -she has a friend with knowledge in
this field that would be happy to meet with, -the Commission
to give them some`good arguments for their meeting with the
Commissioners, if -they could possibly meet yetthis week.
It was decided that the Commission.would.meet with
Dr. Thomas- Schwartz at -Mrs . ' Davisson.'s ' home' on- Wednesday, -
evening to discuss arguments for budget meetings.
Mrs. Davis son noted that Dr'. Schwartz -is' giving a•two-week
seminar at Notre'Dame. He -has been doing taxation and.
planning for urban finance.-,
2 -
Mr. Smith apprised the,Commission that the Budget and
Finance Committee had met with the Common Council in
caucus on July 1 -to discuss the proposed budget. The
Committee had "also -discussed with the Council the need
fora policy relative to the West Washington Street area,
where a survey and evaluation.had already been -prepared
in connection with an application to the•National Register..
Mrs. Studer then went over a-draft,of an ordinance regarding
the West Washington Street area. She noted that•perhaps one
of -the most important items in the proposed ordinance is the
one that says the Common Council of. the- City of -South -Bend
deems it desirable to protect this -important community .
resource during the preparation of such a comprehensive plan -
and until such time that the. Common Council shall•act upon
such plan The ordinance says that what the Commission needs
is -a "holding time" on that -area". Also that-, within that
area, the Commission would have the power to review any
applications for -permits which would involve construction,
reconstruction, .alteration, or moving of.any structure within
that area. Demolition permits could "be issued by Building
Commissioner, however",.there would be a 30 day waiting period
for the Commission to review the application"."
Mr. Smith said that -he thought'it would be wise for the
Commission to consult an attorney, -to make sure that the
;ordinance is abiding by all'the laws.
After -considerable discussion,,the following action was taken:
Motion was made.by John Oxian,.seconded by F. -Jay,
Nimtz, and unanimously -carried, to -ask David Weisman,
the Plan Commission attorney, to review and evaluate,
their proposed ordinance.
b. Historic -Landmarks Committee
Mr. Oxian said that the building on the river that the
Hickey-Company'renovated was not in as good condition as
the Kresge -Building.
Mrs. Sporleder stated that she"would like to get in to see
the Kresge Building, and Mr. Oxian said that that would be
no problem..
Mr..Oxian said that he did get in touch with Mr. Wilson,,
as the Commission requested.heget someone: from, the Fire
Inspection.Bureau.
C.- Historic Districts Committee
No report.
3 -
7. Old Business
a. Review of consultants' proposals-..
.Mrs. Studer -distributed a copy.of each ,of the proposals
to each Commission', member. _
It -was decided that the Commission members would review
the different.,proposals, and;make their decision at their
regular August,meeting, since they should -also have a
better idea on the status of -their budget�by then.
b. By-laws
Mr. Oxian suggested that instead of saying Chairman and
Vice -Chairman of the Commission, that it be changed -to
President and Vice -President. This would simplify matters,
since there is also a Chairman and a Vice -Chairman for
other Committees set up by the Commission. It was noted
that this is a good' idea.
It was. -decided that -the President of the Commission would
appoint -members of -Committees and designate the Chairman,
as authorized by the Commission.
Mr. Nimtz said.that he would make'the changes in the'by-laws
and have them ready for action at,the next meeting.
c. Letterhead design
- Mrs. Davisson said that she -has contacted three different
printers. She,said that she proposed.a 25%screen of a
map, in brown ink on white -stationery, with,no rag content.
Mrs. Davisson-apprised the Commission that she has.received
some of the bids,.which are as follows:
Osthimers- 500-$72.- 1000-$84. reprint for.500-$39. 1000-$50.
Rink Riverside 500-$48. 2000-$66.81- envelopes500-$36.85-
2000-$95.
A-1 no bid received as of -yet.
After considerable discussion, the following action was taken:
Motion was made by.F.-Jay•Nimtz-that the Treasurer be
authorized.to obtain "mock up" -for the letterhead from
the lowest bidder. His motion was seconded by John-
Oxian.andl-unanimously carried..
d.
e.
f
Secretarial assistance
-.Mrs. Studer said,that Mr. Johnson.talked with both of -the
Plan Commission's secretaries and that neither,of them was
very interested.
Mr. Oxian suggested having someone from Public.Service
Careers come to the meetings and,do the minutes: He -said
that there is one girl in`particular that has just -been -
with Public Service Careers for a -month, and is supposedly
very efficient. It was the general consensus of the
Commission to have the Public Service Careers girl come
to -the next meeting, -if at -..all possible, to meet the
commission.,
Mrs. Studer said that, perhaps, we could continue on�the
same basis we.have been,. -using the tape.recorder, and
having -one of the Plan Commission's secretaries-transcribe-
the
ecretaries-transcribethe minutes. -
Mrs. Price said that perhaps the Commission. -would want to
consider Tom,Schlereth's wife for the job. She -said that
Mrs.-Schlereth'is very interested in this -type of thing,
that -she is working now at Notre Dame,in the Archives office.
She said that Mrs. Schlereth does have typing skills, along.
with experience in this field. -
It was the general consensus of the.Commission to have Mrs'.
Schlereth at.the next meeting instead of the Public:Service-
Careers girl, since her qualifications -seem better.
Grant application to the Indiana Committee on the Humanities
No -report
Proposal from Southhold relative to cataloging slides -for
mutual use
Mr. Smith read -a letter from -Mrs. Price to himself, which is
as follows::
"July 7,>1974
Mr. Jack`Smith, Chairman
Historic Commission `T
County/City.Building
South Bend, Ind. 46601
Dear Jack'
We have watched with great interest as the Commission
has organized -itself and now beginning to._consider,.some,
of the many problems whi'ch.confront-preservationist-. Keep
up the -good work.
5
One area that would benefit -us all, if- it had immediate
attention is-that:of developing a catalogue system that can
serve the purposes of.the several agencies -involved in
collecting data. Photographs, maps, and other -forms -of
data are useful only -insofar -as they are available - and
a good catalogue systemwhich would be uniformly used
throughout the entire county can provide that usefulness.
It can.also.prevent mass duplication of materials and.effort.
I would like to see -a professional cataloguer be engaged
to do' the, following things:,
1-0 Consult with Area Plan -Commission, Historic Commission,.
Northern Indiana Historical Society, Notre Dame -School.
of Architecture Library, Public Libraries, and
Southhold to-determine.their system of cataloging
slides•, maps, etc.
2.- Based on,the.needs of -these various groups, and
particularly those -of your Commission, recommend"
a cata-loging system which would.be.acceptable to
all groups-.
3.- This cataloging system would include:
a. a numbering system -with -detailed catagories.
b. provision for cross-referencing between agencies.
c. recommendations for -types and kinds of equipment
to be used.
d. any'statement,.of policy of each organization which
regulates use of materials and`their accessibility.
The report of consultant should be detailed enough -so
that -.with acceptance of a.final system, -individual organizations
would be"able to install or adapt the system. •This final
step might necessitate'a training session on the'part of
the consultant.
Its difficult to determine cost.in such,a venture, but I'm
confident a local competent -consultant could be obtained
from $200-$500 depending-on,your needs.. I'am acquainted'
with a local: -high-school librarian who has specialized -in"
cataloging work and would be available p`articularly during
these summer months . ,
Respectfully,
(s) Ruth Price"
Mrs. Price 'apprised the Commission that,the catalogue would
include a numbering system, category, would provide for
cross-referencing material, recommendations for -the kinds -
and types of equipment to be -used, and also include map work.
Mr. Smith -asked Mr. Rothermel:if he -would be willing to
approach Miss Larson-, LaSalle High School Librarian, to
see if she would be interested in checking -out the
different libraries for the;Comn_iission, seeing what,
would be involved -in cataloging all of the information,
and her price in doing so�. Mr. Rothermel said -that he would.
g. , Memberships:- National Trust
Historic Landmarks -Commission of Indiana
Mr. Smith said that -.he would like the Commission to consider
the possibility of -becoming members in the-National.Trust,
at a cost, -of $25:00, and the Historic -Landmarks Commission
of Indiana, at a cost of $25.00, also.
After considerable discussion, the following action was taken:
Motion was made by -Russell Rothermel to approve
joining in the membership of the National Trust, and
the Historic Landmarks Commission of Indiana.. His
motion was' -seconded by F. Jay Nimtz and unanimously
carried.
h. Library -
Mr. Smith noted that at the last meeting he asked Mrs. Studer
to make.a list of. the books the Commission could use. It
was noted that -she did'make a list for -the. Commission from
the National Trust.
Mr. Smith asked Mrs. Sporleder to look into this, and to come
to the next meeting with the information on it.
i.' Railroad conference, July 227 -23 -
Mr. Smith asked if.anyone was planning on attending this
conference. He -said that he would like for-someone,to go.
He sai& also -that it is:at.the Downtown Hilton Hotel in -
Indianapolis on July 22-23, which is -on a Monday and -Tuesday.
Mrs.. Davisson said that -she -would be interested in going.
Mrs -.-Price stated that she would like: to go'.
Mrs. Sporleder stated that she.would also be.interested in
attending. -
After considerable,.discussion, the following action was taken:
Motion was made . by F. Jay, Nimtz that: if. Mrs . - Davisson
or Mrs. Sporleder decided,to go to.the conference on
July 22-23, the -Commission would pay their registration
fee and -their out-of--pocket-expenses. His motion was
seconded.by.Russell`Rothermel, and unanimously carried.
- 7 -
M
a
10.
11.
New Business
No new business
Hearing of Visitors
Mrs. Price:apprised,the Commission that-shb-heard that the
Avalon Grotto was considering -removing ng remaining leaded
windows in the Frank'Lloyd Wright house and -replacing them with
plate glass.= -There"were"originally 52"windows. It would take
about'$100 -to replace:a,window. Mrs. Price said that she would
call -Reid Williamson.and'would pursue the matter.
Mrs. Price then said:that.the:Commission-should-be doing something
that they're not, besides-working-out.the budget, -and that is
taking the steps to -develop the.standards for the historic"
districts. ."She -asked why this was not being done.
It -was suggested that the Commission.invite-Brian Crumlish to
attend the Commission.!s next .regular meeting to -discuss -the
possibility of developing -standards for the West -Washington
Street area, based on the survey and evaluation of the area"
prepared by Crumlish/Sporleder and Associates.
After considerable discussion, the following action was taken:
Motion was "made by John Oxian,to invite Brian Crumlish
to attend the next regular meeting of"the-Historic-Pre--
servation Commission Since he has already prepared a
survey, he would be'very familiar with the area and
what standards might.be created. He could tell us what"
he would charge us to develop such standards. If it
would fit into our budget, we could contract with him
immediately and have him develop the standards to
complete the "survey "he has already prepared. His motion-
was'seconded"by Russell Rothermel-and unanimously carried.
Announcements and Miscellaneous Matters
Mrs."Davisson said that -she thought -the Commission should go
ahead and purchase copies of the Savannah Study and "the Marshall
Study.
After considerable discussion,,the following action was taken:
Motion was mada by Delores"Davisson,.seconded by
F.:Jay Nimtz, and unanimously carried, that -the
Commission should -purchase -copies of the studies
that are not available to Southhold. Also that -
they should try to obtain the studies at an Education Rate.
Adjournment"
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:00 -p.m.