2. 552 River Avenue_COA 2026-0320 PACKET

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Ph: 574-235-9371 | hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov | www.southbendin.gov/HPC STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: April 8, 2026 Application Number: 2026-0320 Property Location: 552 River Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Colonial Reviv- al/Bungalow / 1922 / Whitcomb & Keller Property Owner: Barbara Garland Landmark or District Designation: Edgewater Place LHD, Ord. #6846-80 Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: This is a 2 story rectangular plan house on brick foundation with 8/1 double hung wood windows with a mix of wood and vinyl storm windows. The roof has gable ends with a full width dormer all covered with asphalt shingles. The walls are wood clapboard and the full width open porch has square posts. There is a cross gable garage with clapboard siding and wood swinging doors at the rear of the prop- erty. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: 1) Retroactively build a shed in the backyard to use as a place to refinish furniture and complete other woodwork- ing projects. Fully insulated and wired for electricity.. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: New Construction: Pages 33-35. SITE VISIT REPORT: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The new building as built does not follow the standards and guidelines for new construction: “A new residential building should be compatible with its context and reflect design features found in traditional district residential buildings. This includes building setback, scale and overall height, the number of stories, massing, foundation height, roof form, window and door sizes and placement, and porches.” Additionally the new building does not follow architectural character or materials guidelines: “Design a new building to reflect its time, while respecting key features of its context. Use contemporary interpretations of historic architectural building types when designing a new building.” “Use materials that match the historic building in look and detail- ing.” Based on all the information available prior to this public hearing, staff make an UNFAVORABLE REC - OMMENDATION. Prepared by Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator