Historic commission approves replacement garage at 113 West South Street

The Crown Point Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 22 approved petition 25-11, allowing a replacement garage and façade work at 113 West South Street.

The commission voted to approve the petitioner’s plans and to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the project. The motion passed by recorded roll call votes in favor.

Petitioner Robert Alm told the commission he planned to retain the existing foundation where possible and replicate the appearance of his neighbor’s garage. "We're saving foundation, what we can save out of it," Alm said. He said the new structure would use the same wood, color and roofline as the neighboring garage and that the properties share a wall and driveway.

Commission members discussed scale and compatibility with the residential streetscape. Members noted the project replaces a single-story garage with a taller structure and asked staff to confirm dimensions and whether the height required a variance. Staff indicated the project as presented fell under the height threshold that would require a variance.

The commission recorded its findings and approved the design based on the submitted renderings and dimensions, with exterior color specified as white and roofing described as a dark gray/charcoal asphalt shingle to match adjacent structures. Commissioners also authorized administrative follow-up so staff could review final examples of garage doors and other details.

The approval includes standard conditions that the replacement match the materials and general appearance shown in the submitted drawings and that the applicant coordinate final details with staff before permitting.