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Home My WebLink About1. 622 Portage Avenue_COA 2024-1104 PACKETHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: November 12, 2024 Application Number: 2024-1104 Property Location: 622 Portage Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Gabled Ell / 1903 / W. W. Schneider Property Owner: Abram Christianson Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park LHD, Ordinance #9575-05; National Register of Historic Places Rating: Non-Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: This is a 2 story, irregular plan gabled ell house. The roof is of asphalt shingles, and the siding is vinyl. The original, full-lenght front porch was removed after 1960, and a front stoop with a gabled hood is now in place. Windows are replacement. The home was converted to multi-family living between 1917 and 1945. Also in this timeframe, a block 6-car garage was added behind 622 and 624 Portage Ave to serve the residents of these houes. Today, only half of this block garage remains, behind 622 Portage Ave. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: 1) Demolish the detached block garage and all concrete flatwork. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Demolition and Deconstruction: Page 38. SITE VISIT REPORT: Historic Preservation Administrator Ross Van Overberghe and Preservation Specialist Kate Himick were able to inspect the structure’s exterior from the alleyway. From the exterior, the garage appears stable and structurally sound. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The 1930s block garage is a reminder of these houses early switch to multi-family living during a time of changing demographics and economics. The structure appears to be in good condition from the exterior and could be renovated to suit the needs of the future homeowners. The garage re- mains part of the unique story of this block in Chapin Park. Based on the information provided prior to this public hearing, Staff makes an UNFAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION. Prepared by Kate Himick, Historic Preservation Specialist 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 IMAGERY — Imagery from 2024 Monday, November 4, 2024 Application for Cer tificate of Appropriateness Important Information Regarding this Request REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AND SITE PLANS The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County cannot process an Application without required documentation. Comprehensive documentation provides a complete understanding of the project. Problems often occur during a project review or during the execution of the project when the property owner, staff or commissioners are unclear as to project specifics. Applications will NOT be processed without required documentation. Photographs may be submitted in digital format or in photographic print. When a project involves blueprints and/or site plans, one (1) set shall be submitted with the Application. Any documentation submitted to this office cannot be returned to the applicant. APPLICATION FEE The application processing fee for any Application for a Certificate Of Appropriateness is $20 Payment must accompany the application at the time of submission. For an electronically submitted application, payment must reach the HPC office within 48 hours following transmission. Payment can be made by credit card by contacting Business License Administrator Michelle Adams at (574) 235-5912; by cash in person in the Department of Community Investment on the 14th floor of the County City Building; or by check made out to City of South Bend. Applications will NOT be processed without the required fee. MEETING ATTENDANCE When an Application has been scheduled for any meeting, the owner, architect or contractor(s) retained for the project shall attend the meeting where their project will be reviewed and a decision rendered. Failure by the owner, architect, or contractor to attend such meetings may result in denial of the Application due to insufficient representation. CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE Certificates of Appropriateness will be filed with the Building Department of South Bend and St. Joseph County. A copy of the Certificate will be emailed directly to the owner and/or contractor(s) listed on the application. INSPECTION AUTHORITY All projects will be inspected during and following execution for compliance with the decision(s) rendered by the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County. Owner acknowledges that while the Historic Preservation Commission only considers Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior features, under certain circumstances it may be necessary for the Commission Staff to have access to the interior of the building in order to accurately assess the condition of the exterior feature and that the lack of access to the interior may prevent the Commission Staff from making a favorable recommendation. Any work performed on a historic landmark or in an historic district which does not conform to the Certificate of Appropriateness certificate shall be immediately halted by the Historic Preservation 1 Commission and the Building Department of South Bend and St. Joseph County. Fines may be levied for projects not in compliance. I read and understand the information above:Yes, Continue Date Monday, November 4, 2024 2 Property Information Property Address for Proposed Work:622 portage ave Property City South bend Property Zip Code 46616 Property Owner Information:Abram Christianson Owner Email Proposed Work and Project Information All projects must comply with applicable building and zoning codes. South Bend Zoning Ordinance St. Joseph County Zoning Ordinance Does your project involve any of the following? (Check all that apply):Demolition Contractor Information All Terrain Construction Demolition Phil lord Contractor Phone Number (574) 274-9238 Contractor Email phillord762@yahoo.com Description of Proposed Work: Demolish detached block garage and all concrete flatwork. Site will be final graded with topsoil. File Upload Site Plans, Aerial Views, and/or Blueprints: One (1) set shall be submitted with the Application. Uploaded documentation must show existing property lines, buildings, structures, and proposed project location(s). Hand Drawn Plans/Elevations are ok Photographs to include: each area affected by project, close up detail of project areas. Windows, Siding, and/or Door projects must include photographs of each window/door/siding affected by the project and detailed close up of condition Applications will not be processed if the required photographs and/or documentation are not included. Any documentation submitted to this office cannot be returned to the applicant. Project Type - List:Demolition 3 November 6, 2024 MA Rec. 626147 $20.00 Photographs: 1.54 MB Payment Invoice ID # INV-000102 Payment Method Pay in Person 4 Outlook Re: COA Application for 622 Por tage Ave 2024-1104 From Kate Himick <Khimick@southbendin.gov> Date Wed 11/6/2024 4:54 PM To Abram Christianson < Cc phillord762@yahoo.com <phillord762@yahoo.com>; Ross Van Overberghe <rvoverber@southbendin.gov>; Kari Myers <kmyers@southbendin.gov>; Skip Morrell <amorrell@southbendin.gov> Hi Abram, Thanks for geng back to us about your plans for 622 Portage Ave. When you get to them, the things you have menoned will need to be approved through our office, either administravely or by our Commissioners (such as with the demolion of the garage). We are more than happy to answer any quesons or speak with you in person, if you wish. Regarding the garage, please note that if the Commission approves demolion, the construcon of a new garage will have to meet the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. For parcels zoned U1, a garage facing an alley shall be set back 5' from the lot line or not less than 18'. You may want to communicate with our Zoning team to discuss what will or will not be allowed, just so you have the full picture before deciding to demolish. I have aached them to this email. Sincerely, Kate Himick Historic Preservaon Specialist Department of Community Investment Office: (574) 235-7478 khimick@southbendin.gov City of South Bend 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 1400 S South Bend, IN 46601 hp://www.southbendin.gov/hpc From: Abram Chrisanson <abramchrisanson@gmail.com>Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 1:50 PMTo: Kate Himick <Khimick@southbendin.gov>Cc: phillord762@yahoo.com <phillord762@yahoo.com>; Ross Van Overberghe <rvoverber@southbendin.gov>Subject: Re: COA Applicaon for 622 Portage Ave 2024-1104 I will call in the payment. My plans after the demolition will be to have a new Normal looking 2 car garage installed ona new concrete slab. I also intend to put up a fence and also have the entire home re-sided (w/ vinyl, as that is what itcurrently has), after having the bump out stairway (that was added to turn the place into a multi unit) removed. Inshort, I am trying to return the home to being a single family unit. That being said, due to financial constraints, this willbe a project that gets spread out over the next 1-2 yrs more than likely. So it shouldn't be expected that it willprogress and be done in a 3 to 6 month window. If that will be a problem, please advise. Picture Abram Christianson"Getting You Where You Want To Be" Real Estate Broker Howard Hanna SB Real Estate 3640 Edison Lakes Pkwy., Mishawaka, IN 46545 AbramChristianson@gmail.com 574-855-7910 (call/text) On Wed, Nov 6, 2024 at 11:48 AM Kate Himick <Khimick@southbendin.gov> wrote: Mr. Chrisanson and Mr. Lord, Please have payment for your COA applicaon completed by Friday 11/8/2024 or we will need to bump your applicaon to the December meeng of the Historic Preservaon Commission. Payment can be made in person at the Department of Community Investment on the 14th floor of the County-City Building or over the phone to Business License Administrator, Michelle Adams, at (574) 235-5912. What are your plans for the site aer the proposed demolion of the garage? Sincerely,