HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.18.2024 HPC Meeting MinutesCITY OF SOUTHBEND
AND STJOSEPH COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 18, 2024
6:00pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Sarah Andrews - President
David Wyncott - Vice President
Andrew Jones - Treasurer
Joan Downs-Krostenko —
Arch. Historian and Secretary
Don Dietz
Peter DeKever
Michael Skaggs
MINUTES
HYBRID MEETING
Council Chambers, 4th Floor
County -City Building, South Bend, IN
MEMBERS ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT:
CALL TO ORDER — 6:03 pm
II. ROLL CALL
Ross Van Overberghe
Kate Bolze
Sandra Kennedy
Commissioner David Wyncott arrived late to the meeting.
III. PUBLIC HEARING
a. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
2024-0222 710 Park Avenue Chapin Park LHD, Ordinance #9575-05,
Local Landmark, Ordinance #6461-1978 (Audio Position: 03:49)
The staff report was presented by:
Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator
Staff Recommendation:
The proposed fence projects are positive improvements to the
preservation of the structure and property. Due to the previously
approved addition of French doors to the porch, the door into the later
addition to the house will become unnecessary. Replacement with a
window to match the others being installed retains a cohesive look to
the structure. Staff makes a favorable recommendation.
The applicant was represented by:
Randy Davis, 710 Park Avenue, South Bend, IN, appeared in person to
speak as the applicant.
The public was represented by:
There was no one from the public to speak in regards to this application.
SARAH ANDREWS A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROSS VAN OVERBERGHE
PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADMINISTRATOR
EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
1400S County -City Building 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9371 f 574.235.9201 southbendin.gov
CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
After due consideration the following action was taken:
Upon a motion by Michael Skaggs, seconded by Andrew Jones, and
UNANIMOUSLY carried by vote, the Historic Preservation Commission
APPROVES Certificate of Appropriateness Application #2024-2022.
Vote: 6-0. Six in favor, none opposed.
COA#2024-2022 is APPROVED.
b. LOCAL LANDMARK NOMINATION
3016 Portage Avenue, "Portage Manor" (Audio Position: 10:28)
The staff update was presented by: Ross Van Overberghe, Historic
Preservation Administrator — there were no updates at the time of the
meeting.
LOCAL LANDMARK DEDESIGNATION
66251 Cedar Road, Wakarusa, IN 46573
Local Landmark, Ordinance #01-1980 (Audio Position: 10:36)
The staff report was presented by:
Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator
Staff Recommendation:
The farm at 66251 Cedar Road, Wakarusa, IN, has a strong history of not
only Madison Township but also the early settlers of St. Joseph
County. The land for this farm was granted to the first owner by the
United States Government in 1847. The still standing log house was
built in 1853. The farm changed ownership several times until Charles
Geyer purchased it in 1880. He became a prominent farmer and
sawmill operator in Madison Township. Five of the 10 children of
Charles Geyer were born in the log house. The remaining children
were born in the current farmhouse built by Geyer in 1895. Charles
Geyer's travels to several World's Fairs influenced his design and
construction of the Barn, House and other outbuildings of the farm.
Due to the farm's historical connection with early settlers of the region
as well as it's architectural details the staff recommends the
Commission send this petition to the County Council with an
Unfavorable Recommendation.
The applicant was represented by:
Savannah Boettcher, Attorney with the law firm of May, Oberfell, Lorber,
4100 Edison Lakes Parkway, Suite 100, Mishawaka, IN, appeared in
person to represent the applicant. She provided a packet of
information to each member of the Commission to accompany her
presentation.
Steve Stump, 211 S Olive St, Wakarusa, IN, appeared in person to
represent the applicant.
Terry Stump, 211 S Washington St,
represent the applicant.
Wakarusa, IN, appeared in person to
The public was represented by:
Randy Figg, 60822 Greenridge Ct, South Bend, IN, St. Josephy County
Council member representing District F, appeared in person to speak
in favor of the application.
Commissioner David Wyncott arrived to
the meeting at Audio Position: 46:09
Page 12 March 18, 2024
CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
After due consideration the following action was taken:
Upon a motion by Peter DeKever, seconded by Don Dietz, and carried by
vote, the Historic Preservation Commission sends the proposed Local
Landmark Dedesignation of 66251 Cedar Road, Wakarusa, IN 46573 to
the County Council with an UNFAVORABLE recommendation.
Commissioners are required to state their reasons for the unfavorable
recommendation. Roll was called.
Commissioner Wyncott: Abstained
Commissioner Jones (AYE): I'm voting to deny this as it does
not meet the standards and guidelines as articulated for
removing the designation. I believe that this property still
meets the definition of a property that should be considered a
local landmark.
Commissioner Skaggs (AYE): I voted in support of the motion. I
don't think it rises to the standard of needing dedesignation.
Commissioner Downs-Krostenko (AYE): In the intelligent words
of my fellow Commissioner, there is a third way and
renovations and modernizations can be made without the
destruction of the historic integrity.
Commissioner Dietz (AYE): I believe that the property is not in a
degraded state that it needs to be decommissioned.
Commissioner DeKever (AYE): I voted unfavorable because the
property retains its historical integrity. It is historically
significant, architecturally significant, and there's no
compelling reason to dedesignate it, and doing so would
compromise the historical significance of the building and not
represent the community's interest in that protection.
Commissioner Andrews (AYE): I voted unfavorable for many of
the reasons that my fellow Commissioners mentioned here
this evening. This home still contains many of its original
features, and we can see them, we know they're underneath
and I think it would be against our standards and guidelines to
allow it to move to what we saw before us.
Vote: 6-0-1. Six in favor, none opposed, one abstained.
Local Landmark Dedesignation of 66251 Cedar Road, Wakarusa, IN
is given an UNFAVORABLE recommendation.
IV. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 19, 2024 minutes (Audio Position: 55:11)
Upon a motion by Joan Down s-Krostenko, seconded by Michael Skaggs, and
UNANIMOUSLY carried by vote, the minutes from the February 19, 2024
Historic Preservation Commission are approved.
b. STAFF REPORTS
Administrative Approvals (Audio Position: 55:34)
After due consideration, no action was taken.
Page 13 March 18, 2024
CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
C. COMMITTEE REPORTS
i. No committees have met since the previous meeting.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
IX.
a. Staff Positions (Audio Position: 55:44)
Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator provided an update on
the status of the open Historic Preservation Specialist position and the current lack of
legal counsel for the Commission. Legal counsel is currently being performed by City
Corporate Counsel Sandra Kennedy until a replacement is found. A brief update was
also provided on the two vacancies on the Commission and the plan to fill those
positions.
b. 2023-2024 Road Map Review (Audio Position: 57:10)
Commission President Sarah Andrews aided by Ross Van Overberghe, Historic
Preservation Administrator presented the 2023-2024 Road Map for the Commission
and facilitated discussions with Commission members about several of the topics in
the presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Don Dietz, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
JodWDowns-Krostenko
Arch. Historian/ Secretary
Date
Page 14 March 18, 2024