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Home My WebLink About4. 817 Forest Avenue_COA 2026-0828 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 4, 2026 Application Number: 2026-0828 Property Location: 817 Forest Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Cross Gable / 1892 / Property Owner: David and Tracy Spesia Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park LHD, Ord. #9575-05; Chapin Park Register Historic District NR-0407 Rating: Significant DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: This building is a two-story, cross plan home on a brick foundation with a central brick chimney. It is sided with wood clapboard with fishscale and diamond shingles in the gables. The roof is of asphalt shingle, with a wide frieze and moulded cornice and rake in gables. There is one corner porch on the south side of the central gable. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: 1) Retroactively install two mini split HVAC condensers on the west side of the garage and enclose with a short dog-ear fence. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, Satellite Dishes/Communications: Page 25. SITE VISIT REPORT: Staff were made aware of modifications to the property on August 20, 2026 regarding the Construction of a fence and installation of HVAC equipment on the west wide of the garage. On August 20, 2026 Administrator Van Overberghe visited the project site. He observed and documented the new HVAC equipment and fence. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The new HVAC equipment and fence that was installed on the west side of the garage is unobtrusive and screened from view. It does not significantly impact the historic integrity of the house or property. Based on the information provided prior to this public hearing, Staff make a FAVORABLE RECOM - MENDATION. 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 2025 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 — West facade of garage facing alley. IMAGES — West facade of garage facing alley. 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 view of mini-split condenser units Friday, August 28, 2026 Application for Certificate 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 Friday, August 28, 2026 2 Proper ty Information Property Address for Proposed Work:817 Forest Ave Property City South Bend Property Zip Code 46616 Property Owner Information:David and Tracy Spesia Owner Email Owner Address 817 Forest Ave South Bend, IN 46616 Proposed Work and Project Information All projects must comply with applicable building and zoning codes. South Bend Zoning Ordinance St. Joseph County Zoning Ordinance Does your project involve any of the following? (Check all that apply):Fences, Landscaping Contractor Information Mike Bickel General Contractor Mike Bickel Contractor Phone Number (574) 274-1453 Contractor Email milosh1968@hotmail.com Description of Proposed Work: As approved, the two car garage with a second floor was renovated to create a one car garage and space for family to gather on the first floor and for a children's playroom on the second floor. Mini-Split units were added to the gathering space on the first floor and the playroom on the second floor to make it possible to enjoy during more extreme heat and cold weather. The outdoor units were placed on the west side of the garage (on the alley) and enclosed with a cedar fence for aesthetics. This is not visible from the street. 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. 3 Any documentation submitted to this office cannot be returned to the applicant. Project Type - List:Fences, Landscaping Site Plan or Aerial View of Proposed Project Location(s):DOCX 817 Forest Ave- garage mini-split out….docx Photographs: DOCX 817 Forest Ave- garage mini-split out….docx Payment Invoice ID # INV-000283 Payment Method Pay via Card or PayPal 4 817 Forest Ave- mini split units on west side of garage (alley side) 1 pg. 1 Outdoor units pg. 2- close up of fence enclosing outdoor units ptg. 3- full picture of fence enclosing outdoor units There are two mini-splits. One is upstairs and one is downstairs. This is a photo of the outdoor units they are connected to. 817 Forest Ave- mini split units on west side of garage (alley side) 2 The outdoor units are enclosed with a fence 817 Forest Ave- mini split units on west side of garage (alley side) 3 View of full enclosure of outdoor units