The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1. 639 River Avenue_COA 2026-0316 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: 2026-0316 Property Location: 639 River Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Gabled El / 1899? / Property Owner: FJJ Real Estate Landmark or District Designation: Edgewater Place LHD, Ord. #6846-80 Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: This is a 2 story irregular plan gabled el house on block foundation with 2/2 double hung wood windows. The roof has gable ends with asphalt shingles. The walls are wood clapboard covered with “insul brick” asbestos siding. There is a single story gable garage addition off the rear (west) of the house. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: 1) Retroactively build a full width porch with shed roof on the front facade. 2) Retroactively build a raised stoop on the south facade of the house for an entry door. 3) Build a new deck/stoop for entry on the north facade of the house. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Porches: Pages 17-18. SITE VISIT REPORT: On March 6, 2026, Administrator Van Overberghe met with the property owner to dis- cuss the plans for the porch. Administrator Van Overberghe pointed out other porches in the neighborhood within view of the property and advised the owner to design their porch in a similar style to maintain the look of the district. The owner submitted drawings of the proposed plan on March 8, 2026. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The new porch would align with many of the porches in the district. Care should be taken to match materials that are appropriate for the time period. The stoops on the north and south facades of the house do not compromise the integrity of the house. They are non destructive and can be removed with loss of character defining features. Based on all the information available prior to this public hearing, staff make a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION. 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 — East and North facades IMAGES — East facade 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 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 — North facade drawing 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 porch IMAGES — North facade stoop 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 porch IMAGES — Detail of stairs 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 — North facade existing stoop IMAGES — North facade existing stoop 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 — South facade new built stoop Tuesday, March 17, 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 Monday, March 16, 2026 2 Property Information Property Address for Proposed Work:639 River Ave. Property City South Bend Property Zip Code 46601 Property Owner Information:FJJ Real Estate Owner Email Owner Address 639 River Ln. South Bend, IN 46601 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 FJJ Real Estate Inestments general Fritz Theragene Contractor Phone Number ( Description of Proposed Work: I would like to install a new porch on the front of the house. The porch will be will be all wood. Replace current porch at the back door because the brick and concrete are failing and falling a part and it is a safety hazard. I want to replace it with a wood porch of the same dimensions. I have also already rebuilt the porch to the upstairs apartment. 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. 3 March 17, 2026 MA Rec. No. 384901 $20.00 Any documentation submitted to this office cannot be returned to the applicant. Project Type - List:New Construction, Additions Site Plan or Aerial View of Proposed Project Location(s): 181.29 KB Structural Drawings/Architectural Drawings: 241.45 KB 4 Quote/Evaluation(s) by Repair Professional (Optional): image0 (1)_3285.jpeg 191.46 KB Photographs: 191.46 KB 241.45 KB Payment Invoice ID # INV-000229 Payment Method Pay in Person 5