HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC - Standards and Guidelines Engagement FeedbackHISTORIC PRESERVATION
Standards & Guidelines
April 4th and April 6th, 2023
Agenda:
•Introduction –15 minutes
•Summary of Feedback –30 minutes
•Next steps –15 minutes
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Administrator
P: 574-235-7478
E: atoering@southbendin.gov
Ross Van Overberghe
Historic Preservation Specialist
P: 574-235-7672
E: rvoverber@southbendin.gov
Who are the HPC Staff?
What is historic preservation?
“‘Historic Preservation’ is an endeavor
which seeks to preserve, conserve
and protect buildings, objects,
landscapes or other artifacts of
historical significance.”
What do we preserve?
There are nine local historic districts
and a 110 individual (stand-alone)
sites that are designated as ‘historic’
within South Bend city limits.
What are Standards and Guidelines?
Preservation Standards and Guidelines are a series of
guidelines and best practices about the treatment of
historic properties and building materials in addition to
the design of alterations to existing structures and
proposed new structures.
The Standards and Guidelines serve as a framework for
decision-making when working on a historic property.
What Standards and Guidelines are currently in use?
The Historic Preservation Commission has the following
Standards and Guidelines:
1.Nine (9) standards for the Local Historic Districts
2.“Group B” Standards for individual standalone sites
3.“Standards and Criteria for Leeper Park”
What is the Commission doing?
The Historic Preservation Commission worked with
Indiana Landmarks to create a model set of Standards
and Guidelines that could be used by communities state-
wide.
The new format is focused on making the Standards and
Guidelines easier to navigate, understand, and use.
New Content in the Standards and Guidelines
The revised Standards and Guidelines address new topics
such as:
•lead and asbestos remediation,
•appropriate substitute materials,
•alternative energy,
•and cultural resources such as landscapes and
cemeteries.
Resource links to educational materials, as well as
technical advice, are also included in the new Standards
and Guidelines.
Workshop –Thank you for your feedback!
Please participate in our public engagement
opportunities –like today –to make your opinion
heard.
Answer our questionnaires –in person, or online –
and let us know your opinion of the proposed
Standards and Guidelines!
Feedback Summary
Engagement –online or in
person?
Online: 78%
In-person:22%
Engagement
Online In Person
Feedback Summary
Does the new format of the Standards
and Guidelines make it easier for you
to find information about what is
appropriate or not appropriate for
your historic property?
Yes:63%
No:8.7%
I don’t know:28.3%
Functionality
Yes No I don't know
Feedback Summary
How easy is it to apply for a COA?Very Easy
Somewhat Easy
Somewhat
Complicated
Very Complicated
Never Applied
FUNCTIONALITY
Very Easy:21.7%
Somewhat Easy:21.7%
Somewhat Complicated:17.4%
Very Complicated:21.7%
Never Applied:17.4%
Feedback Summary
What would make it easier to apply?
Better understanding of what is allowed:26%
Knowing who to speak to:12%
Knowing what information is needed:20%
More affordable:7%
Online submission option:34%
Feedback Summary
Does the new format make it easy to
find what you’re looking for?
Functionality
Yes No Neutral
Yes:58.7%
No:10.9%
Neutral:30.4%
Feedback Summary
What would make it easier?
“…List of projects that DO NOT require COA, list of pre-approved projects…”
“…Summary of features on a home that must be reviewed before making changes…”
“…More examples with pictures…”
“…List of acceptable products…”
“…Easier to find office and meeting location…”
Feedback Summary
How many times have you contacted
HPC?
Never
1-2 times
3-5 times
6-10 times more than 10
CONTACTING HPC
Never:15.2%
1-2 times:47.8%
3-5 times:26.1%
6-10 times:10.9%
More than 10 times:0%
Feedback Summary
How can HPC better serve?
•Distribute printed guidelines yearly
•Review of the Guidelines
•Educate contractors
•List of Contractors
•Hold residents accountable
•Survey the neighborhoods annually
•Regular contact i.e. Newsletter
•Online portal for applying and paying
•Improved code enforcement
•Financial Assistance from the city
•More frequent meetings
•Provision for emergency repairs
•Real estate agents should be required to
inform new buyers of the restrictions
•Street signs with info
•List of previous COAs open to the public
Feedback Summary
Standards Questions:
•What is your impression of the usability of the new Standards
and Guidelines?
Positive:
•“Easier to navigate.”
•“Searchable for keywords.”
•“We like the links, the
interactivity.”
•“All the standards are in one
place, visually it looks more
manageable.”
Negative:
•“Daunting.”
Feedback Summary
Districts Questions:
•Provide 2 or 3 words that describe your district/neighborhood?
•“Friendly.” “Charming.” “Diverse.”
•What are aspects that make your neighborhood unique?
•“Trees.” “Brick streets.” “Walkable.” “Streetlighting.” “Diverse
architecture/styles.”
•What house or structure –were it to be demolished –would
negatively impact your neighborhood?
•“Our house.” “Parks and lighting.” “ANY structure.”
Workshop Summary
HPC Action Questions:
•What can the HPC do to help preserve your neighborhood’s
character?
•“Tradespeople. Contractors.”
•“Financial assistance.”
•“Continue to be a resource.”
•“Workshops.”
•“Be more flexible.”
•“Signage indicating where historic districts are.”
Workshop Summary
HPC Action Questions:
•How can the city reinforce the identity of your neighborhood
(infrastructure, signage, etc.)?
•“Lighting.”
•“Signage.”
•“River walls.”
•“Flood protection.”
•“Traffic calming.”
Workshop Summary
HPC Action Questions:
•How can HPC provide direction to preserve your neighborhood?
•“Database of approved and denied COAs”
•“Realtor disclosure.”
•“Greater accessibility to individual home histories.”
•“Flexibility on materials.”
Workshop Summary
HPC Action Questions:
•How can better communication occur between the HPC and
your neighborhood, or within the neighborhood?
•“Philosophy on replacement versus restoration.”
•“The ‘why’ behind the standards.”
•“Liaison committees.”
•“What is the process to become a district?”
Next Steps
Online engagement:
www.togethersouthbendin.gov/HPC
In-person engagement –Presentations at 12pm and 6pm:
•Tuesday, March 21st, 9am –7pm –NNN Community Center
•Thursday, March 23rd, 9am –7pm –Howard Park Community Center
Discussion of Results and Draft Review –Presentations at 12pm and 6pm:
•Tuesday, April 4 th, 9am –7pm –NNN Community Center
•Thursday, April 6th , 9am –7pm –Howard Park Community Center
Next Steps
HPC Staff will compile received feedback and responses.
HPC Staff will present this feedback to the Commission at the April
meeting for deliberation and review.
Upcoming HPC Meetings:
•Monday, April 17th, 6pm –April Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
•Monday, May 15th, 6pm –May Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
•Tuesday, June 20 th, 6pm –June Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
Thank you!
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Administrator
P: 574-235-7478
E: atoering@southbendin.gov
Ross Van Overberghe
Historic Preservation Specialist
P: 574-235-7672
E: rvoverber@southbendin.gov