HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.2025 HPC Meeting MinutesCITY OF SOUTHBEND
AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
November 17, 2025
6:00pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Sarah Andrews — President
Kathryn Hough — Vice President
Michael Skaggs — Secretary
Peter DeKever
Andrew Fowler
MINUTES
HYBRID MEETING
MEMBERS ABSENT
Andrew Jones
I. CALL TO ORDER — 6:20 pm
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC HEARING
a. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Council Chambers, 3rd Floor
City Hall, South Bend, IN
ALSO PRESENT:
Ross Van Overberghe
Kate Himick
John Dorbin
Kelly Meehan
2025-0923-2 523 South St. Joseph Street Taylor's Field LHD, Ord 8952-98
(Audio Position: 00:12:56)
The staff report was presented by:
Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator
Staff Recommendation:
Due to improperly installed or maintained fiber cement siding, water damage had
occurred to several sashes and sills. Windows on the south and west facades
showed the most damage. Weep holes and the bottom edge of storm window
frames installed on the windows have been caulked causing water to be trapped,
accelerating the decay of the wood sills and sashes. Additionally, lack of a rain
cap or drip edge at the top of the windows allows for water to run down the siding
and behind the window casing and into the jamb, sashes and sills. Despite
significant damage to some windows, the original siding remains in great shape
and could be restored. Installation of vinyl siding over the original clapboard will
cause the outer layer to protrude farther than the windows casing continuing the
conditions for water infiltration to the interior of the windows system, continuing to
cause water damage and further rot. Additionally, installation of vinyl siding will
introduce more holes in the original siding creating more entry points for moisture
in the envelope of the house. Covering the original clapboard siding does not
remediate the lead paint hazard. The EPA recommends abatement or
encapsulation of lead paint by a Lead Safe Certified Contractor as a best
practice. Remediation of the lead based paint by encapsulation or removal and
A ROSS Va
EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. South Bend. Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9371 hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov southbendin.gov
CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
repainting the house, installation of proper flashing and/or rain caps over doors
and windows is the best solution for the long-term preservation of this house.
Based on the standards and guidelines and on the information received prior to
this report, Staff make an UNFAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION for installation
of vinyl siding.
The applicant was represented by:
Edgar Medina, 523 South St. Joseph Street, 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.
After due consideration the following action was taken:
Upon a motion by Kathryn Hough, seconded by Peter DeKever, and carried by
vote, the Historic Preservation Commission DENIES Certificate of
Appropriateness Application #2025-0923-2.
Commissioners are required to state their reasons for denial. Roll was
called.
Commissioner Fowler: AYE: The issue of water damage, the fact
that putting the vinyl siding over replacing the siding would
necessarily negate all the current water damage that is
happening.
Commissioner Skaggs: AYE: Primary for me is the standards on
page 106reagrding wood siding and trim, and I certainly
sympathize with the financial aspects of of this project. The
problem that we face is that our job is to disregard the financial
aspects because that's an impossible standard for us to figure out
and would require so much more information than we have. The
ability to look. So the standards and guidelines question is behind
my name.
Commissioner DeKever: AYE: The standards and guidelines.
Commissioner Hough: AYE: I believe that if the clapboard can be
restored that it is most in line with the Standards and Guidelines.
And, to put the siding over it is not what these standards and
guidelines exist for, and when you purchase a property it is the
responsibility of the property owner to avail themselves of the
nature of the property they are purchasing.
Commissioner Andrews: NAY
Vote: 4-1. Four in favor, one opposed.
COA 2025-0923-2 is DENIED.
2025-1103 516 South Michigan St Local Landmark, Ord 8630-1995
(Audio Position: 00:38:55)
The staff report was presented by:
Kate Himick, Historic Preservation Specialist
Staff Recommendation:
The applicant provided photographs of the windows that were removed, but the
applicant no longer has the physical, original windows. Based solely on provided
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
photographs and conversations with the property owner, these windows were
metal, single hung windows. It is possible that these metal windows were too
deteriorated to be saved, but without seeing them in person, Staff cannot
definitively make any claim regarding their condition. Based primarily on the
absence of information, Staff cannot make a favorable recommendation for the
removal of the windows, though this should not reflect as a statement on their
deterioration. Regarding the rebuilding of walls in the lightwells, Staff believe the
work to be in line with the Standards and Guidelines. Based on the information
provided prior to this public hearing, Staff make an UNFAVORABLE
RECOMMENDATION for the replacement of the windows and a FAVORABLE
RECOMMENDATION for the rebuilding of the walls.
The applicant was represented by:
Chairty Stowe, 521 East South Street, South Bend, IN, appeared in person to
speak as the applicant.
The public was represented by:
Todd Zeiger, 801 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN, appeared virtually to
speak in favor of this application.
After due consideration the following action was taken:
Upon a motion by Peter DeKever, seconded by Michael Skaggs, and carried by
vote, the Historic Preservation Commission APPROVES Certificate of
Appropriateness Application #2025-1103.
Roll was called.
Commissioner Skaggs: AYE
Commissioner DeKever: AYE
Commissioner Fowler: AYE
Commissioner Hough: AYE
Commissioner Andrews: AYE
Vote: 5-0. Five in favor, none opposed.
COA 2025-1103 is APPROVED.
IV. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Audio Position: 01:01:00)
i. September 15, 2025
ii. October 20, 2025
Upon a motion by Michael Skaggs, seconded by Peter DeKever, and carried by vote, the
Minutes for the September and October Meetings were APPROVED.
b. STAFF REPORTS
Administrative Approvals
Enforcement
COMMITTEE REPORTS
VII. OLD BUSINESS
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Vill. NEW BUSINESS
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS (Audio Position: 01:01:30)
a. Naragon Barn Update
b. Twyckenham Hills Gates Update
c. Portage Manor Update
X. ADJOURNMENT (Audio Position: 01:36:00)
Upon a motion by Michael Skaggs, and seconded by Peter DeKever the meeting was adjourned
at 7:35 p.m.
//71
Michael Sk;
Secreta
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Date
Page 14 November 17, 2025