The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About3. 918-920 Leland Avenue_COA 2026-0825 PACKETHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Ph: 574-235-9371 | hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov | www.southbendin.gov/HPC STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: September 3, 2026 Application Number: 2026-0825 Property Location: 918/920 Lelnad Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Double House Colonial Revival / 1918 / Austin & Schambleau Property Owner: Kayla Balentine and Evan Zimmerman Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park LHD, Ord. #9575-05; Chapin Park Register Historic District NR-0407 Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: Two and a half story rectangular duplex on a brick or concrete block foundation. Exterior is clad in aluminum siding. Asphalt shingle roof is punctuated by two chimneys. Vent- ed aluminum soffit and gutters. Windows are 1/1 replacement double hung. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: 1) Remove the existing wood-framed screened enclosure from the front porch. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Porches: Pages 17-18; SITE VISIT REPORT: On August 25, 2026 Administrator Van Overberghe visited the project site and met with the property owner. He observed the condition of the screened portions of the front porch. The wood frames that had been added to enclose the porch are rotted and deteriorated. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The wood framed screen inserts on the front porch are deteriorated beyond repair. They are not original to the porch. Removal of the screened portions would return the original look of the front porch to this home and would notnegatively impact the historic integrity of the house or property. Based on the information provided prior to this public hearing, Staff make a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION. Prepared by Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Ph: 574-235-9371 | hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov | www.southbendin.gov/HPC MAP OF THE AREA — Google Maps view of the subject area. SATELLITE IMAGERY — Imagery from 2026 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Ph: 574-235-9371 | hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov | www.southbendin.gov/HPC IMAGES — Front facade facing West IMAGES — Detail of Wood framed screens and door HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Ph: 574-235-9371 | hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov | www.southbendin.gov/HPC IMAGES — Detail of Screen frames and door Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Application for Cer tificate of Appropriateness Important Information Regarding this Request REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AND SITE PLANS The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County cannot process an Application without required documentation. Comprehensive documentation provides a complete understanding of the project. Problems often occur during a project review or during the execution of the project when the property owner, staff or commissioners are unclear as to project specifics. Applications will NOT be processed without required documentation. Photographs may be submitted in digital format or in photographic print. When a project involves blueprints and/or site plans, one (1) set shall be submitted with the Application. Any documentation submitted to this office cannot be returned to the applicant. APPLICATION FEE The application processing fee for any Application for a Certificate Of Appropriateness is $20 Payment must accompany the application at the time of submission. For an electronically submitted application, payment must reach the HPC office within 48 hours following transmission. Payment can be made by credit card by contacting Business License Administrator Michelle Adams at (574) 235-5912; by cash in person in the Department of Community Investment on the 14th floor of the County City Building; or by check made out to City of South Bend. Applications will NOT be processed without the required fee. MEETING ATTENDANCE When an Application has been scheduled for any meeting, the owner, architect or contractor(s) retained for the project shall attend the meeting where their project will be reviewed and a decision rendered. Failure by the owner, architect, or contractor to attend such meetings may result in denial of the Application due to insufficient representation. CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE Certificates of Appropriateness will be filed with the Building Department of South Bend and St. Joseph County. A copy of the Certificate will be emailed directly to the owner and/or contractor(s) listed on the application. INSPECTION AUTHORITY All projects will be inspected during and following execution for compliance with the decision(s) rendered by the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County. 1 Owner acknowledges that while the Historic Preservation Commission only considers Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior features, under certain circumstances it may be necessary for the Commission Staff to have access to the interior of the building in order to accurately assess the condition of the exterior feature and that the lack of access to the interior may prevent the Commission Staff from making a favorable recommendation. Any work performed on a historic landmark or in an historic district which does not conform to the Certificate of Appropriateness certificate shall be immediately halted by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Building Department of South Bend and St. Joseph County. Fines may be levied for projects not in compliance. I read and understand the information above:Yes, Continue Date Tuesday, August 25, 2026 2 Property Information Property Address for Proposed Work:918 Leland ave Property City south Bend Property Zip Code 46616 Property Owner Information:Kayla Balentine and Evan Zimmerman Owner Email Owner Address 918 Leland ave Proposed Work and Project Information All projects must comply with applicable building and zoning codes. South Bend Zoning Ordinance St. Joseph County Zoning Ordinance Contractor Information N/a N/a N/a Description of Proposed Work: We are requesting approval to remove the existing wood-framed screened enclosure surrounding the front porch of our property at 918/920 Leland Avenue. The proposed work would consist of removing the deteriorated wooden framing and screening that currently encloses the porch. The existing brick porch and its masonry structure would remain in place. Our intention is to open the porch by removing only the wood-and-screen enclosure. The existing porch enclosure is in significant disrepair. The wooden framing has areas of deterioration and rot, the paint is peeling and chipping, and portions of the screening are loose, damaged, or falling out. The enclosure currently contains a mixture of gray and white painted wood and has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Because of the age and condition of the painted wood, we are also concerned about the possibility of lead-based paint and the additional considerations that would be involved in extensively repairing and refinishing the deteriorated enclosure. Photographs showing the existing condition of the wood framing and screens will be included with our application. We purchased the property in January 2026 and moved into the home in March. We understand the historical significance of the property and the importance of preserving the character of both the home and the surrounding neighborhood. Rather than completely reconstructing the deteriorated screened enclosure, we are requesting permission to remove it and return the porch to an open configuration while retaining the existing brick porch. We believe removing the deteriorated enclosure would improve the appearance of the front façade while allowing the remaining historic architectural features of the home and porch to be more visible. 3 The scope of this application is limited to: * Removal of the existing wooden framing surrounding the screened porch * Removal of the existing porch screens * Removal of associated deteriorated wood enclosure components * Retention of the existing brick porch and masonry structure No removal or alteration of the existing brick porch is proposed as part of this application. We respectfully request the Historic Preservation Commission’s review and approval of the proposed removal. We are happy to provide additional photographs, measurements, or other information the Commission may require. File Upload Site Plans, Aerial Views, and/or Blueprints: One (1) set shall be submitted with the Application. Uploaded documentation must show existing property lines, buildings, structures, and proposed project location(s). Hand Drawn Plans/Elevations are ok Photographs to include: each area affected by project, close up detail of project areas. Windows, Siding, and/or Door projects must include photographs of each window/door/siding affected by the project and detailed close up of condition Applications will not be processed if the required photographs and/or documentation are not included. Any documentation submitted to this office cannot be returned to the applicant. Photographs: 2.75 MB 4.41 MB 4 5.46 MB 3.98 MB Payment Invoice ID # INV-000278 Payment Method Pay in Person 5