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Home My WebLink About48-25 Amending the Historic Landmark Designation at 528 South Eddy Street Filed in Clerk's Office August 6, 2025 t ' G ti 2025 Bianca Tirado Honorable Committee Chair Davis City Clerk, South Bend, IN 4th Floor, County-City Building South Bend, IN 46601 RE: Bill# Dear Committee Chair Davis: Please find attached a proposed Ordinance which will adjust the boundaries of the historic landmark surrounding the Jefferson School building. The original landmark ordinance was intended to protect the historic school building but, because the property description used in the landmark ordinance included the entire 19.96 acre parcel upon which many other structures and property are also located, it swept into landmark status School Field, the school's maintenance building, and other areas which are beyond the intended scope of the landmark. The proposed Ordinance will adjust the boundaries of the landmark so that the historic Jefferson School building continues to enjoy the protection of landmark status, while permitting the South Bend Community School Corporation to manage the balance of the property as they deem best for their students and the community. Please include this proposed Ordinance for first reading and referral to the Historic Preservation Commission on your August I lth 2025 Council meeting, and set it for public hearing at your August 25th 2025 meeting. The Historic Preservation Commission intends to hear this petition at its August 18th 2025 meeting, and will forward its recommendation to the City Clerk immediately following the hearing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. Very truly yours, Tim Corcoran, Chief Planner Department of Community Investment Filed in Clerk's Office BILL NO. 48-25 iJ J 1i15 ORDINANCE NO. Bianca Tirado City Clerk, South Bend, IN AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING THE HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION AT 528 SOUTH EDDY STREET, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA WHEREAS, in February of 2000, this body enacted Ordinance No. 9989-00, which designated a parcel located at 528 South Eddy Street as a historic landmark, due to the presence of the three story, brick, neoclassical Jefferson School building, which structure is of historic importance to the City and its heritage, and whose architecture, materials, and craftsmanship are exemplary in design and execution; WHEREAS, the description of the landmark used in Ordinance 9989-00 resulted in the entire 19.96 acre parcel located at 528 South Eddy Street, containing School Field, a concession stand, a maintenance building, and other appurtenant land, in addition to the Jefferson School building, being designated as part of the historic landmark; WHEREAS, it is clear from the record that the intent of the landmark designation was to protect the Jefferson School building, as this is the only structure and/or historically notable item mentioned in the legislative history supporting the landmark designation; and WHEREAS, it is desirable to more narrowly tailor the landmark designation to continue the preservation of the Jefferson School, while removing restrictions upon the remainder of the property so that the South Bend Community School Corporation may maintain, upgrade, and alter the remainder of the buildings and property as they deem best to serve the needs of their students and the community at large. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDIAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Ordinance 9989-00 is hereby amended so that the building known as the Jefferson Traditional School building located at 528 South Eddy Street in South Bend, and the land directly in front thereof, from the building to the right of way, as described in the following legal description: A PART OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 3 EAST, PORTAGE TOWNSHIP, CITY OF SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH, COUNTY, INDIANA BEING DESCRIBED AS: BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SOUTH STREET AND THE EASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF EDDY STREET; THENCE ALONG THE EASTERLY APPARENT RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID EDDY STREET FOR THE NEXT TWO(2)COURSES;THENCE N. 00°34'54" W., A DISTANCE OF 250.00 FEET AND THENCE N. 06°47'39"W.,A DISTANCE OF 145.75 FEET;THENCE N.89°29'10" E., A DISTANCE OF 390.78 FEET;THENCE S.00°34'51"E.,A DISTANCE OF 394.90 FEET TO A POINT ON THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID SOUTH STREET; THENCE S. 89°26'40" W. ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, A DISTANCE OF 375.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTAINING 3.42 ACRES MORE OR LESS. SUBJECT TO ALL LEGAL HIGHWAYS, EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. shall continue to be designated a historic landmark as originally established in Ordinance 9989-00. Section 2. Ordinance 9989-00 is additionally amended so that the balance of the parcel at 528 Eddy Street not described in Section 1 above shall be removed from the historic landmark designation. Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect upon its adoption by the Common Council, signature by the Mayor, and any publication required by law. Canneth J. Lee, Council President South Bend Common Council Attest: Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2025, at o' clock_. m. Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Approved and signed by me on the day of 2025, at o' clock .m. James Mueller, Mayor City of South Bend, Indiana ,a ffi �1 CITY OF SOUTH BF4ND ,l AND ST. JOSEPH Couxiv HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION August 20, 2025 South Bend Common Council Filed in Clerk's Office 227 West Jefferson Blvd Suite 441S MG 2 0 2025 South Bend, IN 46601 Bianca Tirado City Clerk, South Bend, IN Dear Council Members, At its meeting on August 18, 2025,the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St.Joseph County, the Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed ordinance which will adjust the legal boundaries of the Local Historic Landmark at 528 South Eddy Street.This property was designated as a Local Historic Landmark in 2000 under Ordinance No. 9098-2000. The intent of the original Ordinance was to protect the historic Thomas Jefferson School building. However, because the legal description encompassed the entire 19.96-acre parcel, other structures and improvements not originally intended for designation were also given landmark status. At the public hearing, representatives of the South Bend Community School Corporation spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance adjusting the legal description. None spoke in opposition. Following discussion by the Historic Preservation Commission, Commissioner David Wyncott introduced a motion to favorably recommend the proposed ordinance to the Common Council.The motion passed with five votes in favor,one opposed,and one abstention. Accordingly, the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St.Joseph County favorably recommends this proposed Ordinance to the Common Council.A copy of the favorable staff report presented at the August 18 public hearing is enclosed.Staff to the Commission remain available to answer any questions that may arise. Sincerely, Ross Van Overberghe Kate Himick Historic Preservation Administrator Historic Preservation Specialist rvoverberghe@southbendin.gov khimick@southbendin.gov S..RAH ANDREWS A CERTIFIED LOCAL. GOVERNMENT Ross VAN OVERBERGHE PRESIDENT OF T.. NAT::NAL PARK SERV:_E HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADMINISTRATOR EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 14005 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Blvd. South Bend.Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9371 f 574.235.9201 southbendin.gov HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST.JOSEPH COUNTY STAFF REPORT CONCERNING AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION 4,• 4111111111110 Date: August 8,2025 Property Location: 528 South Eddy Street pt Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Neoclassical / 1931 11 '' ,`' Property Owner: South Bend Community School Corporation .M5557 . Landmark or District Designation: Ordinance No. 9089-00 Rating: Outstanding EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: To be heard at this public hearing on August 18,2025, the South Bend Community School Corporation has put forth a proposed ordinance amending the historic landmark designation at 528 South Eddy Street (Thomas Jefferson School).This proposed ordinance includes a new legal description and new bound- aries for the landmark.The original landmarking ordinance for Thomas Jefferson School passed in February of 2000 and established the legal description for the property as "898 feet on Eddy Street by 1129.03 feet deep,"which includes all buildings and improvements surrounding the main school structure.The new boundaries as proposed would solely protect the Thomas Jefferson School building itself and the approaches to it from South Eddy Street and East South Street.This new boundary would exclude School Field,the additional athletic fields,the mainte- nance building at 420 South Eddy Street,and the parking lots. Based on language from the original landmarking ordinance,Staff believe that the intent of the ordinance was always to protect the main school building and that the legal boundaries were written out of convenience to match the parcel boundaries. No survey cards or documen- tation on the additional buildings or improvements on the lot exist in Historic Preservation Commission records prior to 2018. DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE:Thomas Jefferson School was built in 1931 and designed by archi- tect Ernest Young in the Neo-Classical style.The school building is rated as Outstanding and is an intact, excellent example of the style in school buildings.The maintenance building at 420 South Eddy Street was designed in 1951 by Charles W. Cole and Son and was built between 1956 and 1957.The building has not been surveyed as part of the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory(County Survey). SITE VISIT REPORT: Staff visited Jefferson School on April 4,2025 to discuss the potential for new landmark boundaries with South Bend Community School Corporation representatives. Staff and school representatives agreed that the main Jefferson School building was of utmost importance,and the legal boundaries discussed in this public hearing reflect that. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is the belief of Staff that the original landmarking ordinance for Jefferson School was intended to protect the school building itself. In order to support both the interests of the Historic Pres- ervation Commission and the South Bend Community School Corporation,Staff believe it is in the best interests of both parties for landmark boundaries to be redrawn. Based on the information provided prior to this public hear- ing,Staff make a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION for the Historic Preservation Commission to forward its favorable recommendation for this proposed Ordinance to the Common Council of the City of South Bend. Prepared by: Kate Himick, Historic Preservation Specialist Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov HISTORIC PRESERVATION COILVISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST.JOSEPH COUNTY MAP OF THE AREA— The current Local Landmark boundaries for 528 South Eddy Street. J r _7 a 1 p,0/(J•o •f El l tr CD 1 l ; � .i .-,, , .- — - ,c),\cp • __i L__,, .ttA0,, --r -r • l - Q-Iz' 0 1 q SATELLITE IMAGERY— Imagery from 2025. 0. ,L,,, a i„a,., fI„! t,/�6 F ,.. , ' n i,.. II jp. i ,.....,.... . ,,, , .., , . :-„, ..,.,,,•,- -f:.,:fr! it .., . ,-„; i ,r.,, ' . ,, ,,,.i --',,, I l o- Y�- t F O • _ v._"� /.fi xI. -r t✓10, 0r y i Y �. a 1 r r ter..+Mr ✓ " 0 11, '1 xl 4,-i .^ 1 _ �" \ i•- ¢/ 1 q i! -6 ' + of j Ji 1p ,i 1 IL, .te TYi ___ ...' . :iwe�M'r4 ' - E. n _ FSc,a-- E4 h_St w JJJ Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST.JOSEPH COUNTY MAP — Proposed new landmark boundaries from the survey done 5/28/2025. A PAR OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 7,TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH,RANGE 3 EAST, - PORTAGE TOWNSHIP,CITY OF SOUTH BEND,ST.JOSEPH COUNTY,INDIANA. A • 4y/i>.+b Rn 1 S E OM Met UMW OM •� J=-',2"staas t..tea:.:s's s:ata�s. ; f -- /, s s c Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov