Historic Commission Minutes

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1. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Tom Swigart called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

2. ROLL CALL:

Present: Cryderman, Culp, Holleman, Payne, Swigart, Worley.

Absent: None.

3. Minutes: Motion by Cryderman, supported by Worley to approve the March 20, 2002 minutes as submitted. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None.

A. City Administration: None.

B. City Council: None.

C. Historic District Commission: None.

D. Other Community / Governmental Liaisons: None.

CASE #1 Deck
William McGuire
341 East St.
Northville, Michigan 48167

William McGuire, the owner of McGuire’s Antiques presented plans to add a raised wood deck to the rear of the building. The deck will be 12 feet off the ground and have 12 feet between the posts. Supporting wood beams will be 6" by 6". A lattice wood screen will enclose the deck. McGuire stated that since he has more parking than he needs, he plans to close the east driveway and landscape along the west driveway.

Chief Building Official, Richard Starling, stated that State Law requires sealed architectural plans be submitted for the proposed deck on this commercial business. He also stated that the closing of one of the driveways poses egress and ingress issues and other parking issues, which are Planning Commission items. Starling stated he could not issue a building permit on these plans.

Commissioner Comments and Concerns: There is not enough information to make a rational decision on this project. There are technical issues, as well as esthetic issues. The Commissioners suggested that Mr. McGuire consult the Historic Design Standard as a reference.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to defer action pending additional design in put. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE #2 EXTERIOR PAINT
Rebecca’s Restaurant
134 N. Center St.
Northville, Michigan 48167

The owner of the building, Robin Taksony described plans to paint the exterior of Rebecca’s. Colors include painting the building "Buttercup – Yellow", the dormers "Snowy White" and the trim (previously red) "Artichoke Green." The paint is Olympic.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to approve the application for the exterior paint colors. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE # 3 SIGN
Flagstar Bank/Graphic Visions
155 CadyCentre
Northville, Michigan 48167

Sue Dillon representing Graphic Visions and Flagstar Bank, described plans for signage. The first sign will be double sided and 2" Sigh Foam, painted white. The logo "Flagstar Bank – Loan Center" will be carved in and painted Pompeii Red (SW 2911). The decorative border will be Traditional Gold Leaf. The 26.5" x 38" sign hangs from a custom bracket, painted black. The second sign will be placed above the glass door at the rear of the building. The signs are similar with design logos and colors. The rear sign will be 22.5" x 35" and single sided with 1" sign foam.

Motion by, Culp supported by Payne to approve the application for the signage for Flagstar Bank. MotionUnanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE #4 SIGN
American Spoon Foods/Graphic Visions
105 N. Center Street
Northville, Mi., 48167

Sue Dillon representing American Foods, described plans for signage and paint colors for the front of the building. It is the owner’s intent to draw visual interest to the sight. The wood front door will remain but painted black. All surrounding areas will be painted white. The owners intend to paint the brick below the window white. A new 12" deep black and white striped eyebrow awning will be installed. Although the actual graphics have not been submitted, the sign will be a flat panel "hot dog" bullet.

Commissioner Comments and Concerns: Painting the brick below the window white will present maintenance issues.

Motion by Holleman, supported by Worley to approve the application for the front of the building as presented, with the exception to not paint the brick below the front window. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE #5
Tracy & Andy Ortlieb ROOF/PAINT
207 N. Rogers
Northville, Mi., 48167

Andy Ortlieb presented plans for exterior paint and a new roof. The roof shingle is a 25-year shingle; the color is Forest Green. The house paint is a true white.

Motion by Worley, supported by Holleman to approve the application as submitted.

CASE #6 PAINT COLORS
Susan Kaplan
442 Randolph
Northville, Mi., 48167

Susan Kaplan presented plans to paint her home. Colors include: Base color – Chaste Fern (Pratt & Lambert 1601). Shutters – Grass Green (Pratt & Lambert 1531). Gingerbread Trim – White. Window Trim –Violet Harmony (Pratt & Lambert 1103).

Commissioner Comments and Concerns: Purples and Greens as historic colors are difficult to deal with. The purple and greens, as presented, are too bold.

Motion by Cryderman supported by Holleman, to approve the color range, but with the specific green and purple to be determined by a sub committee. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE #7
Joan Jensen GARAGE DOOR
335 Linden Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

A brochure was submitted showing a barn style garage door and a closed window configuration representing a barn loft window for the new home on Linden Street. The door manufacturer is Ankmar and the style is Chatteau with a traditional 3-pane window option.

Motion by Holleman, supported by Cryderman to approve the style of the garage door and the small "barn style window". Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

Richard Starling stated the City of Northville Code of Ordinance addresses Demolition or Moving of Historic Structures. CD Sec. 42:4

Starling also suggested that the Historic District Commissioners entertain the Public Hearing Process as a deterrent to demolition or to moving structures and as a means of receiving the public’s comments. The "public hearing" process could be added by law.

Commissioner Comments and Concerns: A six-month moratorium would provide time to look at alternative options other than demolition, unless there is a danger, or other public safety issues.

The commissioners discussed Tom Holleman’s original Demolition Statement as well as Sec. 42:4. The Commissioners decided upon a combination of the two documents. The original (4) points (Sec.42-4) would remain. A fifth point to be added: deemed not to be have historical or architectural significance. A sixth point to include: a 6-month moratorium can be wavied for buildings, which are not of Historical or architectural significance.

The commissioners suggested Chairman Swigart draft a letter to the City Manager endorsing the Public Hearing process as it relates to demolitions or the moving of structures.

Motion by Cryderman, supported by Holleman to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 P.M.

Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

Respectfully submitted,

P. S. Howard

Recording Secretary