523 South St. Joseph Street_COA 2025-0923-2 (DENIAL)

Home Browse Search

SARAH ANDREWS PRESIDENT A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ROSS VAN OVERBERGHE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADMINISTRATOR 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 November 18, 2025 523 South St. Joseph Street South Bend, IN 46601 Dear Mr. Medina, The Commissioners, at the regularly scheduled monthly Historic Preservation Commission meeting on November 17, 2025 denied approval of Certificate of Appropriateness application #2025-0923-2, which included the following application items: “Remove fiber cement shingle siding and replace with vinyl siding.” In making its determination, the Historic Preservation Commission considered the appropriateness of the proposed construction, reconstruction, or alteration to the preservation of the historic landmark, specifically, and/or the Historic Preservation District, generally; the detriment to the public welfare if the proposed construction, reconstruction, or alteration were permitted even though it is not deemed appropriate; and the potential hardship that the denial of a certificate of appropriateness would cause the applicant. Following is the record from the meeting concerning your project stating why your application was denied: 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 repainting the