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Home My WebLink About2. 552 River Avenue_COA 2026-0320 PACKETHISTORIC 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 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 MAP OF THE AREA — Google Maps view of the subject area. SATELLITE IMAGERY — Imagery from 2021 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 IMAGES — Front facade IMAGES — Detail of Window 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 IMAGES — Detail of sides IMAGES — Detail of Rear 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 IMAGES — Front facade drawing IMAGES — Side drawing Friday, March 20, 2026 Application for Certificate 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. 1 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 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 Friday, March 20, 2026 2 Proper ty Information Property Address for Proposed Work:552 River Ave. Property City South Bend Property Zip Code 46601 Property Owner Information:Barbara H. Garland 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):New Construction, Additions Contractor Information no one nothing none Description of Proposed Work: Putting a shed in my backyard to use as a place to refinish furniture and complete other woodworking projects. Fully insulated and wired for electricity. 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:New Construction, Additions 3 Site Plan or Aerial View of Proposed Project Location(s): 218.13 KB 74.97 KB 4 3.16 MB 3.54 MB 5 3.52 MB 4.46 MB 6 3.08 MB Structural Drawings/Architectural Drawings: 1.74 MB 7 2.04 MB 1.98 MB 2.1 MB 8 1.86 MB Photographs: 2.83 MB 2.65 MB 9 3.22 MB 4.01 MB 3.72 MB 3.66 MB 10 3.46 MB 3.73 MB 3.79 MB 3.57 MB 11 3.6 MB Payment Invoice ID # INV-000230 Payment Method Pay via Card or PayPal 12