HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. 701 West LaSalle Avenue_COA 2021-0826STAFF REPORT
CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Date: September 13, 2022
Application Number: 2022-0826
Property Location: 701 West LaSalle Avenue
Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Free Classic / 1904
Property Owner: Jonathan Nicoletti
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. COA 2021-1108A allowed for the movement
of the salvaged garage from the May House at 130 Park Lane to the rear (north) end of the property.
APPLICATION ITEMS: “1) Installation of handrailing leading up front porch steps. Design is to match railing
already installed on perimeter of porch and shown in picture. 2) Installation of door on south side of garage in
place of west most window (left window in picture).”
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to:
Add a railing to the front steps, matching the existing porch railing. Add a man/pedestrian door in the
south façade of the recently moved garage (salvaged from the May House site on Park Lane).
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.
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.
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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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