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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 1977HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMaSSION TOTAL BUDGET $11,425.08 Treasurer's Report September 19, 1977 1977 Line Item Budgeted Balance 119.1 Historic Preservation Planner $8,200.08 h $4,783.42 212 Postage 300.00 226.02 213 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 200.00 100.00 243 Photography and Blue Prints 200.00 200.00 244 Stationery and Printing 100.00 47.77 252 Equipment 50.00 19.50 261 Legal Services 600.00 600.00 263 Technical Assistance 400.00 -0- 371 General Office Supplies 100.00 58.51 570 Dues and Subscriptions 150.00 150.00 $113425.08 $7,310.22 historic preservation commissior September 19, 1977 Page 2 He then asked approval for payment for part-time research for.Jeanne Denham of $125.00. Also for Belle Pendleton 21 extra hours of re- search, mileage, and 2 rolls of film for a total of $118.00. Mr. Wasielewski also asked approval for payment to John Stamper for - part-time consultant work at the rate of $10.00 per hour, not to ex- ceed fifty hours. Mr. Wasielewski made a motion that the report be accepted as submitted and these bills approved for payment. Ms. Sporleder seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Oxian then said that Mr. Stamper would give a report on what he and Belle Pendleton were doing. Mr. Stamper said that he was working on the nomination that would be placed before the Commission which was to nominateLthe Odd Fellows Building, the JMS Building, and the old Oliver Theatre Building for the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Stamper said these buildings would show the economic development of South Bend from the depression years, as well as the evolution of the skyscraper. Many leading business people were involved. He spoke about the significance of the Oliver Building. These buildings should be considered as a district. If any one would be taken down it would destroy this area. Mr. Stamper said that he and Ms. Pendleton have,done all the preliminary work . on these buildings and a written report would be forthcoming in about a week._ Mr. Nimtz asked if Dr. Feferman had been notified about the Building. ilding. Mr. Oxian replied that it was not necessary to send a letter, but he would send a letter to Dr. Feferman and that Mr. Glaser and Mr. Schrager, owners of the JMS Building would be notified as well. 5. Corre pondence Mr. Oxian reported that he had received a letter from the secretary of the North Shore Triangle Association regarding the decorative lighting placed on the Leeper Bridge. He mentioned that the beeper Bridge is being considered as a historic landmark. He said too that the Twickenham Bridge had been considered for landmark status but that it had been deferred until after renovation. He said funds should be obtained by the county to buy the lights. Mr. Oxian said he -would contact Mr. Richardson in regard to this matter. Mr. Oxian then mentioned that he was going to attend the St. Joseph County Community Credit Union. He also said he had written for comments from the Federal Register in regard to the Tax Reform Act of 1976, if, in effect, this act includes historic landmarks identical to historic districts and if such landmarks could receive the same benefits. 6. Committee Reports City Survey Mr. Ted Wasielewski brought the Commission up-to-date on what -- Brian Crumlish was accomplishing on the city survey. All wind- shield areas are completed and photographs have been taken. September 19, 1977 Mr. Crumlish is going to catagorize each of the areas according to the ratings. The River Park area was discussed and whether Mr. CnmLUsh should take a sampling of this area. It'was`stated- that the 'Cnualish/Sporieder firm was on schedule. Mr.. Wasielew- ski stated that he would call a meeting of the Survey"Committee to determine the carding. Mr. Oxian stated that Mr. Crumlish should think about what to carry out with the funds that are coming in for next year. It was suggested that he send in a proposal. Budget and Finance Mr. Oxian reported that the 1978 budget went through exactly as requested. It will total $16,000.00. Historic Districts Mr. Ted Wasielewski stated that he had asked Brian Cramlish to check out the West Washington and North Shore Triangle areas. He suggested that the North Shore Triangle have a neighborhood meeting and outline what they have discovered, and try to pro- pose a district. Mr. Wasielewski then spoke about zoning within the West Washing- ton area. It was discussed that B occupancy is restrictive. Mr. David Lord, an industrial designer, who would Like to buy the Bartlett House with the idea of maintaining his offices there was brought up. It was agreed that an expanded list of "B" occupancy, which would include antique shops and interior decorators,_should be proposed. It was mentioned that the neighbors like the idea and it would help the buildings turn over more readily. Mr. Ted Wasielewski made a motion that the Commission's attorney, Mr. W. Gaylen Allsop, draft a proposal for an ordinance with the expanded residential "Bl" in the proposed West Washington area. Mr. Stivers seconded this motion. Mr. Smith then spoke about a contemplated restaurant proposed for Tippecanoe Place. Mr. Pauszek then talked about expanded zoning, and non -conforming businesses in Tippecanoe Place. There was quite a good deal of discussion on this matter. The motion was then put to a vote and passed. Ms. Dawson stated that some input should be gotten from Area Plan. Historic Landmarks Mr. Oxian informed the Commission that the home at 64015 U.S. 31 South had been designated an historic landmark by the:County Council. Mr. Smith then mentioned an article written by Frederick Karst is the Spring, 1976 Old Courthouse News about the Oak Grove Meeting House, constructed in the 1800's and located on Redwood Trail and New Road. He said it is up for sale and suggested that this Com mission view this home as a landmark. It would be taken into ac- count by the Landmarks Committee. September 19, 1977 Page 4 Legal Mr. Nimtz informed the Commission that the Board of County - Commissioners had retained Joseph Armadel to defend the Com- mission concerning the Rinderle case. It would come before Judge Miller on Thursday, October 13th, at 1:30 p.m. in Small Claims Court. Public Relations and Community Education Ms. Deloris Davisson informed the Commission that the first of a series of meetings for the project, Architecture :r American Style, would be this Friday, September 23. She dis§ussed what - this program, which would take place in the Adminis ration Build- ing of I.U.S.B would be about. She -then said the next meeting would be in the lobby of the County -City Building and invitations had been sent to all neighborhood organizations. Senator Dough Hunt would give the main presentation. She said that when the first grant money is received -a little press conference should be set up with this announcement to get some coverage. Ms. Davisson mentioned that the program would start in January in the schools, incorporating architectural appreciation. Mr. Smith mentioned that there would be a special meeting of the Council Tuesday evening, September 20, at Tippecanoe Place to discuss the Odd Fellows Building and the Centum Mall. It will be called "What Price Progress" and will be held at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Davisson asked if it were a public meeting andshe was assured it was. Standards and Historic Plan There was no report from this committee. Presidential Report Mr. Oxian informed the Commission that there was a Tax Reform Act Conference in Chicago on October 27th to 29th. Participants are requested from -Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Ms: Davisson suggested that Mr. Oxian and the Planner should attend. Mr. Smith asked staff to send a copy of this brochure to him:: Mr. Oxian then said a subscription form had been r4ceived from Preservation Action and Mr. Smith said that he mig4t be interested to subscribe to this lobbying group, and also Mr. limtz;.said he would also consider subscribing for their magazine:` 7. Old Business Mr. Oxian read a letter received from IVra Harrison of the Advisory Council"of Historic Preservation. He then read a lettere to lir. Wayne Brownell concerning the downtawn area. September 19, 1977 Page 5 Mr. John Oxian then stepped clown as president and presiding officer of the meeting and turned the meeting over to the vice-president, Ms. De - loris Davisson, to enable him to present some motions: Ms. Davisson then assumed the role of presiding officer for the remainder of the meeting, and opened the discussion of the.downtown area.: Ms. Sporleder then informed.the Commission that Mr. John Stamper had done some background material on the downtown area. Mr. John Stamper then spoke about the downtown buildings in question and their relation to the city. He said he had done a description of each building separately and their significance in the area. He said he was involved in making a statement of significance of each building for the National Register forms. He then talked about the architecture of the buildings and the evolution of the skyscraper and its relationship to the Chicago School of architecture. There was general discussion about these buildings and their significance. Mr. John Oxian then made a motion that the three buildings - the Odd Fellows -Building, the J.M.S. Building, and the old Oliver Theatre Building be nominated for consideration on the National Register for-. Historic Places in the context of a district to be called Main Street Commercial Historic District. Ms. Velma Torzewski seconded this motion. Mr. F. Jay Nimtz and. Mr. Ted Wasielewski voted nay; Mr. Jack Smith ab=- stained. The motion then passed. Mr. John Oxian then made another motion that the following buildings should be considered eligible for inclusion i�n the National Register: School Administration Building Union Station Old American Bank Building National Bank Building State_Theatre First Bank Building Colfax Theatre Telephone Building J.M.S. Building Tower Building Morris Civic Auditorium Palais Royale Lafayette Building Central. High School Ms. Velma Torzewski seconded this motion. There was discussion that possibly the Colfax School would not be eligible since its facade had been sand-balsted. The motion was then put to a vote and it passed. - unanimously. Mr. Stivers then made a motion that the J.M.S. Building, the Oliver Theatre Building and the Odd Fellows Building be de"signated for local landmark status. Mr. Ted Wasielewski seconded this motion. Mr. Oxian mentioned that he had written a letter to the owner of the Odd Fellows Building and he was going to send a letter to the owners of the other two buildings. Mr. Wasielewski then said he still felt the Odd Fellows Building was local issue before the Common Council rather than be nom- inated for the National Register. He said it would give the public an opportunity to get up and give their opinion. September 19, 1977 Page 6 Mr. Oxian informed the Commission that there had been no contact with anyone regarding this matter since the last contact with the Mayor. Mr. Brownell had said he would get in touch with Mr. Oxian but had - not done so. There was no further discussion on this motion and it was put to a vote. The motion passed with Mr. Nimtz abstaining. Mr. Oxian then made a motion that if funds are available, that the Commission submit a plan of its own concerning the downtown area. Mr. Stivers seconded this motion. Mr. Oxian stressed that a plan should be drawn up Before October 7, in order to have somethin for the Redevelopment Commission meeting at this time. There was general discussion on this matter with Ms. Sporleder saying someone should -- give a good presentation at this meeting. It was suggested that per- haps some sketches could be used that would show the re -use of the existing structures and incorporate the Odd Fellows Building. Mr. Oxian then talked about the developers of the proposed Century Mall. He said the city was going to put up ten million dollars and this was more of a gamble than the five million the developers were going to put in. There was much discussion and it was felt the development of the Century Mall was not the responsibility of the Commission. Mr. Oxian made a motion that Ms. Joann Sporleder with the assistance of John Stamper look into the possibility of an alternate plan mainly to preserve the Odd Fellows Building and incorporate it as part of the Mall. Mr. Stivers seconded this motion. This motion was put to a vote and Mr. Jack Smith and Mr. Russell Rothermel voted nay, as did Mr. Ted- Wasielewski. Mr. F. Jay Nimtz abstained. Ms. Torzewski, Ms. Spor- leder, and Mr. Stivers voted aye. Since this resulted in a tie vote, Ms. Davisson borke the tie by voting aye. The motion passed. Mr. Nimtz then spoke about the P.T.S. and the downtown buses. He said parking spaces for tLe Century Mall and the Century Center were urgently needed and that it was a very complicated situation. Mr. Oxian then resumed the chairmanship of the September meeting. 8. New Business Mr. Oxian spoke aboout a July 1, 1977 issue of the Federal Register which had some comments on historic preservation laws and which might be applied to the West Washington area. It was decided that Mr. Smith would look into this. Ms. Velma Torzewski then spoke about a meeting of the County Council on Wednesday, September 21, at 5:00 p.m. at which time the fate of - the South Shore Railroad would be discussed. She felt a represents= tive from the Commission should appear at this meeting a make a com- mittment. Ms. Deloris Davisson made a motion that Mr.'Oxian go before this council and make a statement regarding this matter. Mr. Smith seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. Ms. Joann Sporleder then spoke about the Department of'Architecture at Notre Dame and said the Historic Preservation Commission would be September 19, 1977 Page 7 granted the services of an interne for the new semester. She then -- introduced Bob Clarke who is a senior and 5th year student in archi- tecture. He would be available Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Mr. Nimtz made a motion to accept this very generous offer to utilize Bob Clarke's efforts. Mr. Stivers seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Nimtz then made a motion to write a letter of commendation for the very fine research work done this summer by Ms. Belle Pendleton. Mr. Ted Wasielewski seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Oxian then informed the Commission that Mr. Michael O'Lear had been invited to this meeting to get some input. Mr. O'Lear was asked if he had any questions to ask the Commission members. He told them he is still available for the position of planner. He talked a bit about the current work he is doing in the La Porte County Museum for the La Porte County Historical Society. After a bit of further dis- cussion, Mr. Oxian thanked Mr. O'Lear for coming and giving of his time and said Mr. Stivers would call another meeting of the Search Committee and a decision would probably be reached within two weeks or so. 9. Announcements and Miscellanous Matters There were no announcements. 10. Hearing of Visitors There was no further discussion from the visitors. 11. Adjournment Mr. Al Stivers made a motion the September meeting stand adjourned. Mr. Rothermel seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: Russell W. Rothermel, Secretary DRAFT PREPARED BY: Gertrud C. Gilbert NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, October 24, 1977 1st—Floor Lobby County -City Building 7:30 p.m.