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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT PROPERTY -- 723 Park Avenue • South Bend, IN 46616 OWNER -- Patti Tarbet DESIGNATION -- Local Landmark (group A standards) Chapin Park NRHD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The house at 723 Park Avenue is an elaborate Queen Anne residence built in 1889. The house received the highest rating on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, that being 0/13. The house is in excellent condition with minor alter- ations such as the installation of several aluminum storm windows on a side facade. The structure is notable for its architecture as well as its association with local history. The first story is covered in narrow clapboard that gives way to rounded and diamond shaped shingles on the second story. The stories are divided by a belt course of vertical siding which is elaborately trimmed. In 1987 the surveyor characterized the plan as "extremely elaborate" and "irregular". The house has a hip roof with gabled dormers, a tower and several bays with a mansard wrapping around a rear corner. The property was originally part of the Horatio Chapin estate. George T. Hodson bought the property between the years 1884 and 1887. His deed stipulated that a house be built no later than three years after the land purchase and cost no less .than $1,000. Hodson apprenticed as a carpenter and settled in South Bend with his wife Fannie Hillier in 1856. He began a carpentry contracting business with his brother that built St. Patrick's Church on Division Street as well as several buildings •on the campuses of Notre Dame and St. Mary's. The brothers bought into Eagle Mfg. Co. specializing in doors, sashes and blinds, later changing the name of the company to G.T. Hodson and Co. The interior of the home at 723 Park Avenue reflects Hodson's expertise as a woodworker. George T. Hodson retired in 1901 and died seven years later in 1908. PROPOSED CHANGE The applicant proposes the removal of an existing chain link fence on the south and north sides of her property to be replaced with a four (4) foot tall, wooden, French Gothic picket fence as shown in the illustration. She also proposes the installation of the same fence type on the west side of her property, running parallel to her neighbor's garage and adjoining two existing courses of fence at the SW and NW corners of her property. Two gates (36" width by 48" height) will be installed, one at the SW corner of the house and the other in the center of the NE course of the fence. After removal of the existing fence at the NE point, the new fence will be installed approximately 45' further east than its predecessor and joined by another new course of fence along the north property line. STANDARDS Landmark Standards state under B. Treatment: "Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface materials that will not alter the style or original form in any way. Such improvements include . . . landscaping lawns. . . " •Under C. Renovation and Additions: "Additions must not detract from the original form and unity of the landmark. . " and "Additions to landmarks should be added in a manner that does not disrupt the visible unity or overall appearance of the site. The proportions, materials and ratios of the existing structures should be carried through in the additions."