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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 1976historic preservation commission of ,south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 1219 284-9798) A" R eg(ilar Mee -7 Tuesday,.,_ A 7 97! -8:0 0 p.m. - 3 Floor bnferenc e oom rd R� T'611 -_to -r Call. 0 J�pgFcrya_L fMinut es 4' 4 rea surer s 0 Rep it C orres'Dondence-.1 6. -5 Co de Reports Budge ind Fih6h66 7 Hist6t c -Landiha:rks f teg Public Relations on and Edu&aiion andardis and Historic Presidential Report= Staff 7. ... 01'd Busines6__­ L7 7: 4, 'Business. f Visitor Anfi6iiriceindhtb� 41isdellaneads 10. and. M L Adjouin=enf tv, CAUCUS Date: August 3, 1976 - , Tuesday Time: 7:30 p.m. - Place: Area Plan Conference Room - llth Floor MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED: 1. Appearance by Area Plan on 5 -year Demolition Amendment 2. City Survey A. Discussion of Joanne Sporleder's plans B. Nbnies The following is a proposed detailed Agenda to facilitate the order of procedure: 1 . . 0 .. 0 0 .. 0. 2. .......... 3. .......... 4. Treasurer's Report - including report on status of State Grant 5 . ............ 6. Committee Reports Public Relations and.Education: Preservation Game Speaker's Bureau Presidential Report: National Bank /Kresge Staff Report: Staffing 7. Old Business - National Trust meeting 8 . ........... 9 . ........... 10 . 0000....... 11 ........... HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TOTAL BUDGET $11,425.00 Treasurer's Report August 3, 1976 J-976 Line Item Budgeted Balance 319.1 Admin. Sec'ty/Research Assistant $4,000.00 - 0 - 212 Postage 300.00 116.70 213 Travel Expenses 600.00 600.00 215 Books 150.00 72.55 241 Printing, other than office supplies 400.00 - 0 - 242 Publication of Legal Notices 200.00 - 0 - 243 Photography and Blue Prints 400.00 25.88 244 Stationery and Printing 125.00 93.87 252 Equipment 50.00 15.00 261 Legal Services 600.00 600.00 371 General Office Supplies 100.00 43.93 570 Dues and Subscriptions 150.00 37.80 263 Technical Assistance (Survey) 4,350.00 3,929.00 $11,425.00 $5,534.73 z- il h istoric p reservat ion commission of south bend and st. joseph county f ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46$01 1219 284.97981 August 3, 1976 Department of Engineering City of South Bend County City Building South - Bend, Indiana, 46601 - Attn: Rollin E. Farrand Re: Effects of Chapin Street Widening on the Historic West Washington Street District Dear Mr. Farrand: The,Historic Preservation Commission of St. Joseph County is generally against the outlined plan of widening Chapin Street .(between Western Ave. and Washington St.) for the following• reasons:, le Widening the street from the present 44 feet to the - proposed 52 feet and increasing the traffic flow will cut through a,portion'of the present Historic District. Pedestrian � crossing would be impeded, lessening -the possibilities- preserving the residential aspects of . the neighborhood. 2. Removing the trees along the parkway would increase the noise and dirt levels along the street as well as decrease the esthetic view. 3. Although vehicle safety may be improved - pedestrian safety could be jeopardized by the resulting narrow - sidewalks and the close proximity of high speed traffic. There appears to be no method of lessening the impact on the District of this project with the exception of replanting trees along the residential portion and providing pedestrian crosswalks. Without stoplights at intervals along the section or some other pedestrian protection there seems to be little chance of provid- ing pedestrian safety or keeping the District from being severed. r Rollin E. Farrand � August 3, 1976 Page 2 A less expensive alternative plan to widening would be to ban parking hlong the street at all times. This action would remove the objections outlined above. The sidewalks and trees could Vemain and the effect on the Historic District would be lessened. The Commission realizes that certain objectives could be gained by the project: - these being increased traffic flow and possible improvement of the physical appearance of certain por- tions of the street. However, it is felt that the mown disad- vantages outweigh the possible gains. Yours truly, Jack L. Smith President TW :gcg istoric preservation commission ._ : ; .._ ,,,.,•;•;�: - ,:: _ _ - :', _ • south ben d t. county o :Sou an s �osep ROOM 1123-COUNTY. CITY BUILDING : south bend, indiana 46601 (219 2849198) r.' _ t' - `lcigul Meetin `_ ? jr�'F = _ - Third Floor Conf. Room y -. g' i _ _ _ Tuesda ',- August, 3s 197 - { ;_ 323 $•00 .m. - Ci Buildi = P - j i "' w . i i , 3 T'E _ I :; all.'to= :Order, re ent with" called the= :meeting to order_ it 8:0T =2:. ;Roll: Call .;,• ,:- -_• MMERS•'WESENTt Ms :'`Deloris'Davissori ._`Mr - _ _ _ _ -__ John :Oxian, Mr. Jaclt _ Smith Ms. Joanne`s - - - orleder = _Mr. _Al:= St3vers =Mr: Ted Wasel - ski „ -Sp ' - ' ew MEMBERS ABSENT: Mi. T oni _Catanzarte t - Mrs'- Russe]1: Rothermel.° -- - :.- - SENT..:. _Y - _- Mr. Gaylen Allsop Ms:jJeanne.:Derbeck, AhSO PRE : :.; _ _ - = -: _ - - == _ Ms. ;Priscilla Dill, _Ms -- Richard Doyle Ms. `- = ., _ -_ - Gertrud`Gilbert- :Mr:= : Gerald- Kiirie Ms. Rita'° =_ Kopczynski, ' athryn Sch�iariz_> F. 3 PProval' ~ '`of:= Minutes. -- - -- Ms. Kopczynslu remarked ' that - bn page three, line 1 ►- aril line eight,'= __,_._; - '_ the word;" should. read :;" rezoning" . the July: minutes. Ms. Davisson stated.that.on. ix., ,� t► P� . "line _en, -the B e s fourte 'word::` IUS e : =- :. should r ad � on],y f N ff : ,..:::...' - - - - -- v1i.'Stivers' then made_a._motion that ahe July minutes be accepted . as corrected. Mr. Wasielewski seconded this emotion and -it passed -.." _... -.. unanimously, ° ,:_ =`. - : Treasurer' Report.` - Ms Davisson distributed copies =:of:. the - _treasurer's report- showing. ! :. . - current_ balances. She == then; asked • Commission _ approval:for_ payment : ollowing of.. the `f Business - S steins 2 :67 for su.... lies_ _ � Y PP . II 'Communications ;'Consultants for: a book. Greater Wilmington Direc- = tory of- Remodeling & Restoration Products' and Services 2.50 August 3, 1976 Page 2 Mr. Oxian made a motion that the Treasurer's Report be accepted and the bills approved for payment. Mr. Nimtz seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. 5. Correspondence There was no significant correspondence and correspondence with the National Park Service regarding the grant will be taken up later. 6. Committee Reports Budget and Finance Mr. John Oxian reported that the County Commissioners have not yet notified the Commission in regard to the proposed budget. He stated that the city administration has nullified the Commission budget proposal but that there still might be a possibility of funding through revenue sharing. Historic Districts Mr. Ted Wasielewski stated that the final draft of the letter to the City Engineer against the proposed widening of Chapin - Street has been prepared and sent to Rollin Farrand, City En- gineer. There was discussion that the engineering department was looking into the possibility of getting city funds for this project. Mr. Smith remarked that the Commission could go to the courts and get an injunction to hold up federal funding of the project but it does not apply to city or state money. Historic Landmarks Mr. Oxian spoke about a property at 61191 U.S. 31 South, -- called, The Country Villa, and which the owners wish to re- store to its original condition. He said the house is well kept both inside and out. Mr. Oxian then made a motion that this structure be declared a landmark. Mr. Stivers seconded - this motion. It passed unanimously. During the ensuing dis- cussion it was pointed out that the barn and several smaller buildings would be included in this declaration. Mr. Oxian then spoke about the amendment to the Commission's enabling amendment which refers to the one -year demolition. Mr. Nimtz made a motion to disaffirm the previous action of the Commission concerning the five -year demolition and concurs in the recommendation of the Area Plan Commission concerning the amendment of the ordinance, and the Commission authorization of Mr. Oxian to proceed to obtain favorable consideration to the amendment to the ordinance by the City Council and the County - Council. Ms. Sporleder seconded this motion and it passed un- animously. August 3, 1976 Page 3 Ms. Sporleder then discussed the brick Greek Revival house, owned by the Ansel Millars" on Rosewood Road. She said there is a strong possibility that this superior structure would be torn down unless it could be moved from the site. It is his- torically significant and research has been done on it. There is a brick on the back side of this house which bears the ini- tials W.W. Brick and the date 18+5. It has not been declared a landmark. Ms. Kopczynski remarked that she had been out to view it and the research that had been done was discussed. Mrs. Doyle asked about the price for the house but no one seemed to know. Mr. Gerald Kline had also viewed the house. An ad in the newspaper specified that bids for the house, or its interior components would be accepted after August 16. Legal Mr. Nimtz is still awaiting action on the procedural report for purchases and bids. It is still in the attorney's office. Public Relations and Education Ms. Davisson informed the Commission that the tallying of ex- penses for the County Survey for the application for the $5,000 National Park Service grant had been completed and sent to Mr. Cloud in Indianapolis. There was only one point in question and that concerned Marsha Mullin's employment by the Commission last summer. Part of her payroll was met by Texas Tech University on a work -study program. Ms. Davisson, however, felt that the expenses were about $1,000 over the matching funds of $10,000, but that the Commission may get correspondence relative to this item. She then discussed the ongoing work on the procedural manual and added that John Oxian was in the process of producing an outline of the methods used in declaring an historic landmark. Ms. Davisson then discussed community organizations and the necessity of meeting with these people. She mentioned INPIRG and the report on "red- lining" submitted by Conrad Damian. It was suggested that perhaps a luncheon to which Mr. Damian would be invited might be feasible. Mr. Damian was previously con- tacted to give a presentation at a time to be determined in early September. It was suggested that perhaps a dinner meeting might be more suitable. It was further suggested that perhaps Mr. Tom Brodan of the University of Notre Dame and the Urban Observatory should also be invited and have input as to what is being done -- relative to neighborhood conservation. Mr. Gaylen Allsop, a dep- uty city attorney, for the Board of Public Safety, then suggested that the Commission contact Todd Areson, director of the Urban Observatory concerning a "walk- through" meeting on a study of the sub- standard building bureau on Wednesday, August 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room. August 3, 1976 Page 4 Mr. Oxian made a motion that a letter be sent to Mr. Areson explaining that there are other bodies in the city that have - input in this area of neighborhood conservation and also sug- gesting that a member of the Commission attend the Wednesday meeting. Mr. Wasielewski seconded this motion and it passed. unanimously. Ms. Davisson then showed. the Commission the first draft and prototype of a preservation game which she called a game of "Landmarks and Neighborhood Conservation - a Game of Urban and Rural Conservation ". It would be played with counters. and dice and Ms. Davisson stated that neighborhood children - had like it and it could be introduced, perhaps with the co- operation of art teachers, into local schools. The Commission was very enthusiastic about this game and Mr. F. Jay Nimtz strongly suggested that Ms. Davisson have it copyrighted. Mr. Nimtz then informed the Commission that a communication had been received from Robert 0. Kuehl who is president of the Oliver Estate and on the Board of Directors of the Na- tional Bank and Trust Company regarding the erection of a plaque designating the former site of the Kresge Building. The plaque would read: "On this site in February 1852 Clem and Henry Studebaker started a blacksmith shop. In 1874 a four stdry brick building was erected here for the Studebaker Carriage Works. Plaque erected 1976 by the National Bank &- Trust Co. in cooperation with the Historic Preservation Com- mission." Mr. Nimtz moved that the Commission authorize the use of its name on the plaque and co- operate with the National tank & Trust Company. Mr. Stivers seconded this motion. It was put to a vote and Ms. Davisson, Mr. Nimtz, Mr. Smith, Mr. Stivers and Mr. Wasielewski voted aye; Ms. Sporleder voted nay and Mr. John Oxian abstained from voting. It was pointed out that no date for the dedication had been set. Ms. Davisson suggested that a letter be sent to the bank regarding this recognition. Standards and Historic Plan It was reported that this committee had met but there was no report at this time. Presidential Report Mr. Smith reported that his remarks regarding the National Park Service grant had been covered previously, as well as the proposed plaque for the site of the Kresge Building. Mr. Smith then distributed copies of an attendance roster and instructed staff to send copies to absent members. August 3, 1976 Page 5 Staff Report Ms. Kopczynski passed out copies of the job description of the Historic Preservation Planner. She stated that if she were considered for this position, the research assistant position noW funded by City CETA would become vacant. She has discussed this with Marsha Mullin who showed interest in filling this position, but one of the stipulations in being considered by CETA was that the applicant must have been unemployed or working part -time for thirty days. She stressed that the Commission should proceed to facilitate this transition in September. Ms. Kopczynski then discussed the work progressing in re- searching superior structures and informed the Commission that approximately 25% of the research had been completed. Ms. Belle Pendleton was pursuing basic field work in New Carlisle and was instructed to take slides of various homes. Ms. Kopczynski informed the Commission that with the hiring of the two research assistants, the office had become very crowded and she had discussed this problem with Judy Studer of the Area Plan Commission. Mr. Oxian remarked that when he makes his budget presentation before the County Commis- sioners he will likewise introduce the Commission's need for expanded office space. Mr. Oxian then made a motion that the Commission accept the designation of the title of Historic Preservation Planner: Mr. Stivers seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Oxian then moved that Ms. Rita M. Kopczynski be accepted- to fill the position of Historic Preservation Planner. Ms. Sporleder seconded this motion and it passed unanimously Ms. Kopczynski then informed the Commission that Ms. Gilbert would go on vacation August 9 - August 13, and that she (Ms. Kopczynski) would take a week's vacation from September 6 Ms. Kopczynski then asked Commission approval to purchase a book, "Tallahassee, Florida - Downtown .Transitions" at a price of $4.00. Mr. Stivers made a motion that this volume be pur- chased. Ms. Davisson seconded this motion and it passed un- animously. Ms. Kopezynski then discussed the Union Station and said she had reviewed the various options for the adaptive use of this building. She said that Don Sporleder's class at Notre Dame w =- and Mr. Sclambert had likewise looked into this problem. She stressed that the inside had been completely gutted and would ' need approximately $50,000 for renovation. She said federal funds through the National Endawment would only be forthcoming if the building would be used as a cultural center. Mr. Oxian- August 3, 1976 Page 6 suggested that a letter be sent to Senator Vance Hartke re- garding this matter and he also said that Mr. Davidson, the owner of Union Station, would co- operate with the Commission. Ms. Davisson suggested that the Commission meet with Mr. Da- vidson when he returns to South Bend. Mr. Oxian remarked that perhaps Senator Hartke could be invited to view the building. 7. Old Business Concerning the National Trust Annual Meeting, Mr. Smith remarked that he had submitted his reservation application to attend in October. Mr. Oxian also expressed interest in attending this affair, as did Ms. Davidson, and Ms. Kopczynski. Ms. Sporleder- concurred that it might be worthwhile for Ms. Kopczynski to par- ticipate. Mr. Smith asked about the status of the palques for designating historic landmarks. He was informed that the order had been placed on June 15, but the plaques had not yet been received. 8. New Business Mr. Oxian made a motion that a letter be sent to the sexton — of the City Cemetery regarding the state of two monuments com- memorating Civil War veterans. He said the heads were missing from these monuments and it was degrading and insulting to the memory of these heros. Ms. Sporleder seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. It was suggested that copies of this — letter be sent to the American Legion, the D.A.R. and the Vet- erans of Foreign Wars. 9. Hearing of Visitors There were no comments from the visitors at this time. 10. Announcements and Miscellan6ous Matters Ms. Kopezynski informed the Commission that the Elkhart His- torical Society is sponsoring Town Tour on Sunday, August 8. She stressed that this might be a very worthwhile meeting to attend. She said that J. Reid Williamson is going to conduct a slide presentation and that perhaps the Commission could — avail itself of his presence and discuss tax and facade ease- ments. No action was taken in this regard. 11. Adjournment Mr. Stivers made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Ted Wasielewski seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. - August 3, 1976 Page 7 SUBMITTED BY: Russell W. Rothermel DRAFT PREPARED BY: Gertrud C. Gilbert NEXT REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, September 8, 1976 Conference Room 323 3rd Floor - County -City Building 8 :00 p.m.