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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 1977�historicpreservation commission of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123.000NTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiam 46601 (219 284-9798) r A_GR_NDA- _ ;. Regular Meeting., May.16 1 .977 _ _ 3rd'Floor,' Conference Room:- er4 - - - - -'_ ___ _ - _ _ - __ 2: Ro11 Call - - - - - - ,1•.x,4 - - _ .. k.:' a: - 3 . Approval of - Minutes _ - 4-- Treasurer's Report 5:Correspar dence 1 Pr'esentation..by: Mr:.;Al` Wright, Manager =- Helper and= Company 6...Committee-Reports' - - _ -- - - City ' Survey - Budget and; -Historic: Districts :Historic=•Landrriarks Legal- ' Public°Relations and Community --Education _°°_ -:_. Standards and Historic Plan .; Presidential Report •- -: • Staff ;Report -- -:._"•' 7r Old Business $: I�ewBusiness - 9. ung r - Hear' of Visitors. - - 10 Announcements and Miscellaneous'Matters --;._ ` urnment• . 1-1." _ Adjournment o - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TOTAL BUDGET $11,425.08 ,Treasurer's Report May 16, 1977 1977 ,Line Item Budgeted Balance 115;1 ,Historic Preservation Planner $8,200.08 $5,283.42 212 Postage 300.00 256.41 213 Travel Expenses 600.00 600.00 215 Books 125.00 125.00 241 Printing, other than office supplies 400.00 400.00 242 Publication of Legal Notices 200.00 200.00 243 Photography and Blue Prints 200.00 200.00 244 Stationery and Printing 100.00 65.80 252 Equipment 50.00 50.00 261 Legal Services 600.00 600.00 263 Technical Assistance 400.00 400.00 371 General Office Supplies 100.00 100.00 570 Dues and Subscriptions 150.00 150.00 $11,425.08 $8,430.63 historicpreservatio n- commission of south bend and st. joseph county May 16, 1977 Page 2 Ms. Davisson then spoke about a research project which had been done on the Frederickson house. She passed this report around and made a motion that $3.30 be approved to reproduce this work for the Commission's use. This motion was seconded by Mr. Jack Smith and it was put to a vote. The motion was carried unani- mously. Ms. Gilbert pointed out that she was told by the Pur- chasing Manager that it costs around $10.00 to process a purchase— order and that the Board of County Commissioners frowned upon pro= cessing such small amounts. It was then decided, upon the sugges- tion of Mr. Oxian, that three copies of the research report be printed (one for the president). Mr. Oxian then had the visitors introduce themselves to the Commission. Next, Mr. Oxian introduced Mr. Al Wright, Manager of Helper and Company, who are specialists in building surfaces. Mr. Wright then spoke of the restorative work he and his firm had done on building facades. Among the buildings that had been tuck pointed and steam cleaned were Columbia University and New York University in New York City as well as the Buffalo Reserve Bank and the Cohoes Masic Hall in New York State. His firm does all kinds of restora- tion, and only does sand blasting when absolutely necessary. Mostly chemicals are used for surface cleaning and although it might cost more, in time, the buildings will be pretty badly damaged with sand blasting. Mr. Wright passed around pictures of the buildings that his firm had cleaned. There was discussion about the Colfax School and Ms. Davisson asked if the Commission had made any recommendations on this building. Mr. Oxian said he had heard they were going to sand blast the exterior surface and it was felt that this was not desirable. Mr. Oxian had sent a copy of Preservation Brief No. 1 "The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings" to Mr. Shepherd Crum - packer, legal counsel for South Bend College of Commerce, saying that sand blasting should not be used on the exterior of the building. Mr. Wright was then thanked for his lucid and timely presentation. 5. .Correspondence Ms. Gilbert informed the Commission that a.letter had been sent to Mr. Brian Crumlish submitting a list of downtown South Bend buildings that the Commission would like to have surveyed. They are as follows: -- School Administration Building, Union Station, Old American Bank Build- ing, National Bank Building, State Theatre, First Bank Building, Col— fax Theatre, Telephone Company Building, J.M.S. Building, Tower Build- ing, Morris Civic Auditorium, Palais Royale and the Lafayette Building. Next, she read a letter received from John E. DeLee, Building Com- rissioner which said, in part, that it would be quite expensive to — furnish the Commission witha continuing list of sub -standard build- ings and demolitions within the city. There was discussion on this matter and it was advised that staff go up periodically and scan this list and submit it to the president. In response toa telephone inquiry from Mr. E. W. Geiser, Chief of Operational Planning, Public Building Services, General Services May 16,1977 Page 3 Administration in Chicago a letter was sent by Mr. Oxian informing him that the Federal Building in South Bend (the old Post Office) does have architectural and historical significance, and, therefore, should be preserved and its facade remain intact. Mr. Smith then spoke about two buildings that had recently been destroyed - both in the historic district - one was the home next to the Mastic Corporation and one building on LaSalle Avenue - in the 600 block of LaSalle. There was discussion on the matter of such buildings. being demolished and Mr. Oxian said that Ms. Gilbert would go up to the -Building Department once a week to look at the list of demolition -prone buildings. Mr. Oxian then referred to a letter he had received from Mr. Richard- son, the County Engineer, regarding the status of the Pharrow Powell house. Mrs. Farrow Powell had been in touch with him regarding re- storation of this building, now sitting in Leeper Park. Ms. Derbeck remarked that due to attention by.the Action Line column in the"South- Bend Tribune, school children had organized a fund to have this -struc- ture moved from behind Inwoods to Leeper Park. She thought that per- haps CD funds could be utilized. There was discussion on just which city department could be involved. Mr. Oxian stressed that since -it is now located on park property, the park department should be in- volved. It was suggested that the committee which was instrumental - in having this building moved to its new site should also become in- volved. Ms. Davisson made a motion that the committee be invited to take action in this matter. Mr. Smith seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. 6. Committee Reports City Survey Due to the absence of the chairman of this committee, there was no report forthcoming. Budget and Finance Mr. Oxian reported that the Commission sent a proposed budget of $6,000. for the year 1978 to the City Controller. The amount for the 1978 budget for the county came to $13,525.00, and Mr. Oxian read the line item breakdown for this budget. -He said the amount for the Historic Preservation Planner was in- creased from $8,400.08 to $10,000. Mr. Oxian mentioned that he - wanted the position of Planner put on County payroll to take ad- vantage of fringe benefits. Historic Districts There was no report from this committee at this time. it May 16, 1977 Page 4 Historic Landmarks = Mr. aai.an- spoke about the Hallinger 'property and said he was ins contact with th6_nephew and daughter-in-laW of the owner of this structure in order to get permission to have it declared a land- mark. He said he would postpone a decision about having a public hearing on this matter until he heard further from them. Legal Mr. Nimtz reported that the Commission had won the Rinderle case and Mr. Rinderle would be paid only the $118.56 that he had ac- crued for his services. He warned the Commission, however, to hereafter not to enter into any verbal agreements with personnel. Public Relations and Community Education Ms. Davisson informed the Commission that this summer two seg- ments on historic preservation would be aired on Channel 34 - WNIT. They would concern themselves with the North Shore - Triangle and.the Prairie School of Architecture. She also re- marked that the Commission was asked by Mrs. Ruth Price to work with Southold Heritage on the forthcoming conference entitled, "Aesthetics and Economics of Historic Districts." There was discussion on the role the Commission would play in this matter. Mr. Nimtz moved that the Historic Preservation Commission parti-i= cipate with Southold Heritage and other participants in the con- duction of this conference including the question of facade easements. Ms. Davisson seconded this motion. The motion was put to a vote and it passed with Mr. Oxian abstaining. Mr. Oxian appointed a committee to share in this matter. It would be on a voluntary basis. Mr. F. Jay Nimtz volunteered to be on such a committee and Ms. Davisson suggested it be a committee of the whole with Mr. Nimtz as chairman. Standards and Historic Plan Mr. Oxian remarked that he will include a copy of the functions of the Review Board with the forthcoming agenda. He suggested the Commission peruse this and make comments and changes and then present them at the next general meeting. He next said that since there were no comments on the format of the Certificate of Appropriateness, that this final copy would be adopted and a copy given to each building department. A motion was made to the format of the Certificate and it passed unanimously. Presidential Report Mr. Oxian informed the Commission that he had received a letter from the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development concerning the Community Development Funds and May 16, 1977 Page 5 CDBG Activities. It said, in brief, that the bureau should be aware of any actions by the Historic Preservation Commission concerning the designation of local historic landmarks, districts, sites, buildings, and facilities. The bureau also wants toknow what the regulations are concerning the use of C.D. funds on a designated landmark, and the HPC attitude towards rehab of the NE Center. Staff Report There was no report from the staff at this time. Mr. Nimtz then mentioned that he had spoken to Ms. Wendy Schler- eth who informed him that she had heard there were several per-- sons er=sons at Notre Dame who might possibly be interested in the posi- tion of Planner at the Commission. Mr. Rothermel mentioned that Al Stivers is the chairman of the Search Committee. Mr. Oxian suggested that staff get in touch with Al to call a meeting. Mr. Oxian then gave a copy of the proposed historic plan to Ms. Davisson and she felt it should be one of the priorities of the new planner to pursue this. 7. Old Business There was no old business to discuss at this time. 8. New Business Neither was there any new business at this time. 9. Hearing of Visitors Ms. Derbeck brought up the question of the Odd Fellows Building and the survey that was to be done on it. Mr. Oxian informed her that there might possibly be a conflict of interest if the Cruml.ish/ Sporleder firm were involved in this, inasmuch as they are involved in the planning of Union Square in the old Union Station. Mr. Oxian declared that it was decided not to ask Brian Crumlish to do it and that there might even be an economic feasibility study done on this building. Ms. Price then spoke about the question of obtaining CD funds for rehabilitation of a city historic landmark. There was quite a bit of discussion about the City Survey and the allocation of CD funds. There was discussion on the landmark status of the Fire Station #7 and Ms. Price asked, since the city owned this property, would it have to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness if it wanted to rehabilitate the structure. Mr. Oxian remarked that the city would have to comply with this. Mr. Oxian said that John MLLUen accepted the standards regarding this structure that he had sent with the May 16, 1977 Page 6 letter requesting permission for landmark status. - 10. Announcements and Miscellaneous Matters There were no further announcements. ll. - - Adjournment Mr. Nimtz moved that the May meeting be adjourned. Mr. Rothermel seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting stood adjourned at 9:17 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: Russell W. Rothermel, Secretary DRAFT PREPARED BY: Gertrud C. Gilbert NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, June 20,-1977 Conference Room - 323 Third Floor - County -City Building 7:30 p.m.