HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. 701 West LaSalle Avenue_COA 2021-1108ASTAFF REPORT
CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Date: December 13, 2021
Application Number: 2021-1108A
Property Location: 701 West LaSalle Avenue
Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Free Classic / 1904
Property Owner: Penny Hill Homes LLC
Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark
Rating: Outstanding
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE : Irregular plan 2-story residence with attic story that projects over
the second floor. Boxed plain soffit, brackets under small decorative projecting gables on front and one side,
asphalt shingle roof (with east facing skylights), double-hung sash windows
ALTERATIONS: AA 2021-0803 allowed for the replacement of the rear door with a historically appropriate door,
repair wood siding, repair damage to the roof, replace missing glass in the attic, repair front porch and replace
missing columns with salvaged columns. COA 2010-1112 allowed for the removal and replacement of the asphalt
shingle roof. COA 1988-0316 allowed for the installation of skylights in the roof. COA 1982-0721 allowed for the
construction of a picket fence on the southwest side of the property.
APPLICATION ITEMS: “We plan to move a historic garage from the May house to replace a previously
demolished garage on our property.”
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to:
Move the garage from 130 Park Lane to the rear of this property, facing Scott Street, on a new concrete
paddock approximately where the previous garage was situated.
The Commission approved the relocation of the May House and the deconstruction/demolition of the attached
garage at meetings earlier in 2021. The applicant expressed interest to Indiana Landmarks regarding saving the
garage.
The Commission is hearing this proposal because the new location is a Locally designated Landmark and this
proposed project constitutes a substantive change to the site with the addition of this new structure beyond what
would qualify as an administrative approval.
Per e-mails from the applicant:
“We will be using the existing curb cut, but need a driveway to the garage.”
The garage is configured to attach to a house from the ‘right’ side of the garage entry with a man-door. The new
location will result in the garage man-door being on the opposite side of the garage from the house at 701 West
LaSalle. The property owner has expressed interest in modifying the structure by moving the door to the other side
of the garage. Staff plans to administratively review that project when more details are received.
Location of the garage must comply with all applicable Zoning setbacks.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Group B Standards
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 (appendix A: Minimum
Maintenance Standards).\
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
overall 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, trellises, and other
similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when 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, and
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 areas shall not be
transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception dishes and
solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares.
SITE VISIT REPORT:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval, with allowances that final garage location complies
with all applicable City of South Bend zoning restrictions.
Prepared by
Adam Toering, 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
MAP OF THE AREA - Google Maps view of the subject area.
SATELLITE/SANBORN IMAGERY - Sandborn Maps: 1917, 1945, 1960, imagery from 2016 of property.
5
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
FRONT PICTURE (SOUTH) - Picture of the front of the building, February 2020.
REAR PICTURE (NORTH) - Picture of the rear of the building, February, 2020
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From:Sarah Hill
To:Adam Toering
Subject:Re: garage COA submission
Date:Monday, November 15, 2021 2:44:59 PM
Hey Adam,
Sorry this took so long! Responses below:
On Mon, Nov 8, 2021 at 2:17 PM Adam Toering <atoering@southbendin.gov> wrote:
Sarah,
I’m going to put some file photos of the garage into the application as evidence.
Some questions/requests:
Supporting Materials:
Do you have any photos of the paddock/site where the garage is being proposed
to be placed? If not, I can have Ross take some photos from the right-of-way.
Project questions:
Will a new driveway / approach need to be installed, as well? Would you like
to include that in this application?
Yes please. We will be using the existing curb cut but need a driveway up to the garage.
We also would like to replace a stretch of concrete sidewalk and front walk out front.
Will you want to re-configure the structure (the pedestrian door in the current
configuration will be facing away from the house)?
That's a good question. Yes let's plan for a reconfiguration of the door.
Payment:
Michelle Adams can be called at 574-235-5912 to make payment over the
phone.
I'll do that now.
I’m still wrestling with how this project will be handled. The Commission’s November
meeting is next Monday – I may bring it up with them as a discussion piece, to let them
know that I am considering administratively approving it. Depending on what feedback is –
it may be heard on the December agenda, or it’ll already be administratively approved by
me.
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Administrator
Department of Community Investment
(574) 235-7478
atoering@southbendin.gov
City of South Bend
227 W. Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 1400
South Bend, IN 46601
From: Sarah Hill <sarahchill@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 8, 2021 12:45 PM
To: Adam Toering <atoering@southbendin.gov>
Cc: Jennifer Henecke <heneckej@gmail.com>
Subject: garage COA submission
Hey Adam!
Here's the application to move the May garage to 701.
Let us know if you have any questions or need anything further.
Thanks,
Sarah & Jenni
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