May 2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2001-0502 Property Location: 1618 East Wayne South Property Owner: Mel & Leda Hall Landmark or District Designation: LHD-EW Rating: C/10 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT Prominent developers, Whitcomb and Keller, built this H.R. Stapp designed house in 1926 and sold it to Vera Clauer in 1927. Vera was a manager for Calvin Clauer Company, a jewelry and diamond merchant business on North Michigan Street. Vera Clauer owned the property until 1934 when it was sold back to Whitcomb & Keller who rented the house to James Drumming, an employee of the Mishawaka Rubber and Woolen Manufacturing Plant, until 1938. They rented the house to Clarence and Mildred Perkins in 1939, selling it to them in 1941. Mr. Perkins operated an insurance agency in the Associates Building. The couple resided here until 1970 when the property was sold to John Schuster, an executive vice president of the St. Joseph Bank and Trust. John and Silvania Schuster resided here until 1975 when they sold the house to Charles and Mary Keiser, who in turn sold it to the current owners, Mel and Leda Hall. RECOMMENDATION The Preservation Guidelines for the East Wayne Street Local Historic District follow the Rehabilitation Model. The applicant is requesting to remodel the existing garage and add an addition to the rear of the house that almost entirely fits within the existing footprint of the house. The owners of this property ran into a time crunch and were not able to submit the plans for this project to the staff prior to this meeting. However, because they need to start this project during the first week of June the staff agreed to include their application on the May 21 St meeting schedule with the understanding that the owner and contractor would supply the Commission with complete plans at this meeting and would be able to answer any questions that may arise. As such, the Staff has no recommendation at this time, but, if the Commission requires one I will be happy to make such a recommendation during the May 21St meeting after all information has been presented.