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STAFF REPORT • CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: June 12, 2018 Application Number: 2018-0608 Property Location: 24888 Cleveland Road Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Greek Revival / 1850-1870 / "Aaron N. Miller Farm" Property Owner: Thomas and Sandra Martin Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark, Ordinance #55-1975 Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: The site of the Local Landmark at 24888 Old Cleveland Road originally comprised 32.70 acres encompassing the historic Aaron N. Miller farm. The property has been subsequently subdivided into two parcels: the Miller farmstead is now included in a 10 acre rectangular tract of land (tax key #04-1020-0328, owned by Thomas and Sandra Martin), while the remainder of the landmarked property is on an irregular parcel of land comprising 22.70 acres (tax key #04-1020-032802, owned by James and Barbara Kidder). The terrain is rolling and includes what is rumored to be the highest point in German Township. The majority of the original 32.70 acres is wooded. The circa 1855 t -plan house with later additions sits closest to Old Cleveland Road, with the barn and four ancillary agricultural buildings to the south, including the visually prominent multi -story barn built into the rising topography. The ancillary farm buildings have board -and -batten exterior walls and are sited on fieldstone foundations. • To the west of the farmstead is a section of land that has low brush and is concealed from Old Cleveland Road by an approximately 50' deep grove of trees running parallel to the road. South of this grove of trees are fenced enclosures for the horses and garden patches. A natural draw (draining towards Old Cleveland Road) separates this land from the main farmstead area. This terrain rises to the south and west, before cresting and falling away beyond the property boundary. The 1875 St. Joseph County Atlas image of the A. N. Miller farm shows a three- story barn stood on this western plot. The area across Old Cleveland Road to the north has been extensively developed into industrial warehouses and distribution centers. ALTERATIONS: A previous multi -story barn was removed prior to 1900. COA #1994-0321 allowed for the replacement of the pea gravel driveway with one of paving brick. COA #1996-0319 allowed for the construction of a wood board fence as indicated in the 1875 atlas image. APPLICATION ITEMS: "150 x 60 Riding Arena and workshop on the west side of our property. Need horse stalls tall enough for horses. Present historic barn has low ceilings on ground level. Horses hit heads on lights. Will provide landscaping and trees (apple, pine, flowering). Color will be grey to blend with house." From e-mail correspondence: "The building will be 14 feet tall, 150 x 60. Color will be gray with white trim, steel construction. Windows will be standard size, with mutton's similar to house, white trim, like the house. Yes, we will have a concrete footer, and foundation in part of the building but certainly not in the riding arena. The design will be as drawn, the main purpose is an indoor riding arena, and needs to be a large open building. We do not have manufacture specs, they build to our needs, will try to get something before the meeting. Would like to get this project started to use it as • intended, for riding and training my Ponies to pull a cart in a safe confined area. Please let me know when the meeting is so we can plan to attend, and we will be able to address any additional concerns at that time."