HomeMy WebLinkAbout7. 720 Park Avenue_COA 2022-0907ASTAFF REPORT
CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Date: July 13, 2022
Application Number: 2022-0907A
Property Location: 720 Park Avenue
Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Queen Anne / 1878 / DuShane
House
Property Owner: John and Monica Sikorski
Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park LHD (Ordinance #9574-05),
Chapin Park NRD
Rating: Notable
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: This two-story irregular plan Queen Anne style house sits on a
brick foundation. Walls are shiplap clapboard with corner boards and frieze boards. An interior brick
chimney punctuates the cross gabled roof line with low pitch and asphalt shingles. To the rear is a first story
gable rear wing with a shed roof side wing; decorative spindle work punctuates the gable apex. A full width
front and side porch wraps the west and south sides, with a second story balcony facing the street. Spindle
supports with balustrades and decorative spindles at the eaves with brackets are also present. Windows are 1/1
double hung with molded entablatures. The ground floor has shutters. The front door is wood paneled with
beveled glass light and transom and a wood storm. A large two story gabled barn with board and batten siding
stands to the rear.
ALTERATIONS: COA #2005-1114 allowed for the complete tear-off and re-roof of the entire house, as well as
allowed for the installation of flashing and roof vents as needed. COA #2012-0716A allowed for the removal of
three storm-damaged trees in the back yard per City Forester Brent Thompson. COA #2015-1215 allowed for the
replacement of the existing brick chimney with new in-kind material, to match existing. RME #2017-1023 allowed
for the repair woodwork at the northwest corner of the property because of water damage. RME #2018-1005 re-
issued COA #2017-1023 for the repair of woodwork on the northwest corner. RME #2018-1005B allowed for the
removal and replacement of multiple trees on the property. RME #2018-1005C allowed for the replacement and
repair of brick foundation and chimney with like material. COA 2018-1001D allowed for the removal/replacement
of eight windows and moving of a door when reconfiguring the rear of the house. AA 2022-0621B allowed for
rehabilitation/replacement of existing wood trim, siding, molding, decorative elements on porch, eaves, soffit, and
fascia with new wood material, matching existing confirmation, reveal, size, and shape.
APPLICATION ITEMS: “Repair and relocate barn.”
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to:
Pickup the existing ancillary structure (‘barn’) and rotate it 90 degrees, moving it to where portions of the
structure are approximately 2’ from the southeast property line shared with 710 Park Avenue.
The structure is approximately 33’ x 22’ with two ‘garage’ bays in the 22’ wide section. The property owner has
indicated that structure improvements will be made during the move process.
The property has received a variance from the City of South Bend Board of Zoning appeals to allow the structure to
be moved to within 2’ of the side setback. This was approved by the Board of Zoning appeals at their September 6,
2022 BZA meeting.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: CHAPIN PARK
[…]
V. GENERAL
A. Buildings in the district should not be demolished except where a building poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only
alternative. Documentation of interior and exterior features of the original buildings, especially homes rated as historically significant, is
encouraged. Measured drawings and photographs may be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for safekeeping and future
reference.
B. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before moving any building or structure. The moving of a building within, out of or
into the district is discouraged; however, moving is preferred to demolition. Buildings incompatible with existing structures in the
historic district shall be prohibited.
[…]
SITE VISIT REPORT:
Administrator Toering and Specialist Van Overberghe met with the property owner on Friday, June 24th at 10am to
discuss the potential barn move. Condition of the structure was documented at that time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval.
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: 1899, 1917, 1945, 1960, imagery from 2016 of property.
5
John and Monica Sikorski
720 Park Avenue
Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
1) The barn/garage on the property is structurally unstable. Part of the foundation was
damaged by a fallen tree two years ago, and a temporary repair was made. However,
the footing on the west wall is bowing out, and the entire wall has detached and is
bowing out as well, threatening the structure. In order to remedy this, a new footing
must be poured and the wall must be placed back on the footing. With the desire to
save the structure and strengthen it for generations to come, as well as to arrange the
yard and driveway in a more aesthetic and useful manner, we wish to move the barn
about 5-10 feet south and rotate it 90 degrees, thus enabling vehicles to enter directly
into the garage without making a sharp 90 degree turn, while also opening up the
backyard to one continuous yard. In the process, a new foundation and footing would
be poured, while shoring up beams, joists, and studs inside, thus saving the structure.
As it is, the yard is split in half by the barn. Placing the barn in the desired location
would also place it near the location of the former (now demolished) barn on the
neighboring property, 710 Park Avenue, thus restoring some of the original layout of the
property (the two properties had been one parcel until 1961). This project would be
directed by Wolfe House and Building Movers and Castle Rock Concrete, budget-
dependent. I have spoken with I&M Power and received approval due to the
distribution lines on the property.
Aerial site plan: Proposed 90-degree rotation and slight move:
See the following page(s) for pictures of damaged and bowing footing, beams, studs, and
wall.
Rotted siding on exterior wall; interior beam falling off footing.
Beam falling off footing and separated from slab.
Bowing exterior west wall due to leaning footing.
Slab separated from footing