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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: Application Number: Property Location: June 15, 2004 2004-0604-2 1069 Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN Property Owner: Megan & Christopher Hartz Landmark or District Designation: Riverside Drive Local Historic District Rating: Contributing: 10 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT. Built in 1909 for the Gelbrich family. In 1994, the HPC approved removal of a stone patio, and installation of a brick patio, and rear yard privacy fence. In 1998, the HPC approved removal of some yews, and planting of holly and spruce bushes. APPLICATION ITEMS: 1. Remove part of the back wall of the house, and build a 1 -story kitchen addition, 13' deep by 13'6" wide, on the site of the existing brick patio; 2. Relocate existing brick patio next to the addition; 3. New brick or stone pathway from new patio to garage; 4. Install low voltage landscape lighting. RECOMMENDATIONS Removing a significant portion of the exterior wall of a balloon -frame American foursquare house can be a big deal, but we trust that the structural issues can be addressed here. It appears from the materials submitted that the new stucco walls and wood trim proposed would match the existing, and therefore would fit the historic character of the neighborhood. Also, the shingles and steel half -round eaves troughs and downspouts and the pitch of the proposed roof appear to match that of the front porch. The only really serious concerns that staff has regarding the proposed addition are the following: (1) the depth of the eaves overhang should, if at all possible, match that of the main house and the front porch, (2) the windows should be similar in shape, dimension, and design to the other windows used in the house, and (3), the new hand railing on the proposed new back stoop and steps should be wooden, designed to reflect the architectural style of the house trim and front porch features. Staff would like to note that while retention and re -use of existing doors is strongly encouraged, and occasionally required when original or character -defining doors remain, it is not at all required, and is entirely the owners'_ option, when the -existing door -is not at all historic. If the owners wish to retain their imitation wrought -iron security screen door, that is fine; however, if the owners wished to replace it, staff would recommend HPC approval of any other door of their choice. The box bay window proposed for the east side of the addition appears similar is shape and function, but significantly different in appearance from the existing bay