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CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION <br />Staff is in favor of the following more minor elements: (1) the installation of glass <br />block in several basement window openings, (2) the replacement of sagging <br />portion of the front porch flooring with treated wood, and (3) the repointing of <br />needed areas in the foundation and chimney. Staff notes that the preferred <br />mortar used for a house of this age would be lime mortar or type 0 mortar. <br />Staff welcomes the owners' plan to retain as much as possible of the original <br />siding, while replacing segments that are missing or exceedingly deteriorated <br />with red cedar to match. Staff notes that lead safe practices should be <br />followed for the painting of the siding. <br />Regarding the replacement of original windows on the first floor, many of these <br />windows would need restoration to function and be secured. In this instance, <br />Staff believes that a balance should be struck between the preservation of <br />the original material and the practicalities of investment in a long -vacant <br />home. Staff believes that promoting the feasibility of investment in this <br />property is, in the long run, promoting its preservation. Therefore, in this case, <br />Staff is in favor of vinyl replacement windows, with the stipulation that should <br />the windows need to be replaced in the future, aluminum -clad wood windows <br />or wood windows be used. <br />The same principles apply to the replacement of the front, original door. Detailed <br />restoration would be required in order to keep the door in working order. Staff <br />feels that the compromise of donating the door or retaining it on site is an <br />appropriate one. Lastly, Staff is in favor of the removal of the rear, leaning <br />vestibule. Any future plans for a porch or deck in the rear should also follow <br />the same Certificate of Appropriateness approvals process. <br />Based on the information provided prior to this public hearing, Staff makes a <br />FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION, given that the appropriate mortar type <br />is used and that the original door and any salvageable window sashes are <br />either donated to a salvage shop or retained on site. <br />The applicant was represented by: <br />Alex Hernandez, 703 Portage Court, South Bend, IN, appeared in person and <br />Joe Popitiya, 703 Portage Court, appeared virtually to represent the <br />applicant. <br />The public was represented by: <br />Robert Bollman, 804 Portage Avenue, appeared virtually to speak against <br />this application. <br />Kelly Meehan 27 minutes 56 seconds <br />Commissioner Andrews: Are you speaking for or against this project? <br />Mr. Bollman: Am I am speaking either. I have some questions that should be <br />answered before, that was, before that decision was made. <br />And you do not answer questions during business hours because you all know <br />who I am. We've been involved with this property for three months now. <br />So I have some answers that y'all should that we need to consider like I'd like to <br />know who the architect of record is for is on a project of this size because <br />they're the code compliance officer and I have a big problems because you <br />all have approved the roof replacement and the soffit detail. There's no <br />mention in there about the venting of the of the attic. <br />Page 13 June 16, 2025 <br />