Petitioner to work with staff on revised porch plans for 218 East Clark Street

The Crown Point Historic Preservation Commission on March 23 deferred action on Petition 2602, a request by property owner Kenneth A. Turner to alter the front porch at 218 East Clark Street, and authorized staff to review revised plans and issue approval if the proposed work conforms to historic-district guidelines.

Turner told the commission that the materials would match the existing porch and that the change is intended to shift the expanded landing slightly east to provide a safer area for entering and exiting the house. "The material is gonna be the same, and everything is gonna be the same except for the expanded top of the stairs," Turner said.

Josh Watson, historic-preservation staff, said the property is located in the Eastside Historic District and reported that Indiana Landmarks recommended tabling the application because the submitted design did not match the original porch dimensions. "Staff recommends approval of a like-for-like porch rebuild, but not the proposal as submitted," Watson said, and asked the applicant to submit a rendering with measurements.

Commissioners agreed to defer so staff (Blake and Watson) can work with the petitioner on a rendering and measurements, and to pursue administrative approval if the revision complies with the preservation guidelines. The motion to defer passed on a roll-call vote.

Turner asked whether he should render the original porch or his proposed configuration; staff replied they wanted a rendering of the intended finished product with dimensions and advised him to check with the building department about permitting. Watson said he would have Indiana Landmarks' reviewer reach out to Turner early the following week to coordinate the revisions.

If staff approves the revised drawings, the commission expects the administrative sign-off to spare the petitioner from returning for a subsequent hearing; if not, the applicant will return with a revised application for formal review.