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, Gudritz, Holleman, Payne, Swigart, Worley

Absent: None.

Also Present: Manager Gary Word.

3. Minutes: Motion by Worley, supported by Culp to approve the July 17, 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 New Home
Don & Cheryl Leeth/ R. Dickinson
Randolph
Northville, Michigan 48167

Architects from Van Brook and Associates stated that the applicant has returned to the Historic Commission for the second time. The architect stated that his charge is to relate the proposed new home to Northville City’s Historic Design Standards document. He stated that the Italianate style home (5,000 sq. ft.) is designed for the unique lot. (The lot sits behind the Log Cabin Home on Randolph St.) The home is also consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. In this case the surrounding neighborhood is the log cabin directly to the south, a cottage style Farm House the Southwest and a Subdivision style home to the immediate west. In this setting none of the homes are alike. And in this instance the home is accessed by a private drive and will not be visible from Randolph. The setting is such that most of the trees on the heavily wooded lot will be saved. When finished, because of "old world style" of the home and the materials chosen, the home will appear as if it has been there 100 years.

Materials include brick, stone, limestone and copper roofing over the bay windows.

The windows are proportionate to the Italian Renaissance. Other materials are black wrought iron, limestone banding, balusters and brick coins.

Commissioner Comments and Concerns: A major issue some commissioners struggled with was whether the style was compatible with Northville. Others stated that because of its lack of visibility from Randolph, the house fits the "neighborhood." Some thought the mass of the home was an issue. Others thought that the location of the home mitigates the mass. Because of the site, the mass is less objectionable. Some Commissioners thought the home belonged in Grosse Pointe or in the new Bellagio subdivision in Novi. A number of the details differ from a true Italianate home. Some of the details were too much and overpowering for Northville. Suggested Changes: 1.

Change the oval window to a casement window. 2. Change the copper roofing over the bay window and conservatory to shingle roofing.

The homeowner, Don Leith, stated that he is not asking to build a Victorian home and he does not want a "Bellagio Style" home. He has a unique property and is taking an old style home and is blending it into the property with landscape, and design features, which will make it, appear as if it has been here for years. The lowered roof line, and the limestone features he consciously took out of the Historic Design Standards. Subtle changes have been made and he as tried to address the Commissioner’s concerns by way of details in the Design Standards.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to refer the application back to the applicant pending further information as discussed tonight. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE #2 Addition and Garage
Magdick Residence/Mielock
359 N. Center St.
Northville, Michigan 48167

Dave Mielock presented plans for a two - story addition to the west side of the residence and the construction of a new vehicle garage. The original Victorian farmhouse style home was built in the late 1800’s. The front porch was added in the 50’s as well as a rear addition that has no particular style. The 1,000 sq.ft. "L" shaped addition will have a new basement under it. Simple 4" lap siding will be used and the new gables will have the same pitch as those of the existing roof. Windows will replicate those of the existing home and the details will be at a minimum. Colors will be a light green with white trim. Burgundy will be used as the accent color. The existing shingles are a burnt reddish color and the applicant has planned a more neutral dimensional shingle.

The new garage will carry the same simple details as the house; trim colors and roof pitch etc.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS and CONCERNS: The addition is respectful to the original lines and sizes of the existing house. CONCERNS: Instead of using one solid garage door the suggestion was made to either use two garage doors or break up the mass of the one big door with a center mullion. An oval window used on the north elevation should be changed to a small rectangular window with a transom.

Motion by Cryderman, supported by Worley to approve the application for the addition with the condition that the one garage door have a center mullion added or the door itself be changed to smaller doors, and with the condition that the north oval window be changed to a small window with a transom. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

CASE # 3 Alteration/Addition
Paul Lammeraux
537 Dunlap
Northville, Michigan 48167

Mr. Lammeraux apologized for the addition and not understanding the process of the Historic District Commission. He stated he is repairing the existing structure and changing the screened in porch to a family room, as well as repairing and extending the existing deck. Photographs of architectural features were submitted. Windows thru out the house are in groups of three. Photos were provided showing the seven sets of windows, both front and rear, that are in groups of three. The revised plan (8-1-02) shows three windows in the family room that are 50" x 64" tall. The trim of the taller narrower windows (than originally submitted) twill be consistent with the rest of the home. The railing and posts at the rear of the home are consistent with the front of the home. The fieldstone around the foundation will continue to the back of the house.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS and CONCERNS: The goal of this addition should be to have it blend with the existing house. Fieldstone, deck lattice, railings and posts should match that of the existing house.

Motion by, Culp supported by Cryderman to approve the application for the addition which includes three 64" high windows, field stone to wrap around the rear of the house, provide post and railings to match that which in the front of the home, add one additional column (flat on the wall) on the rear deck. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

Elisabeth Knibbe, Architect Proposed changes after cases have appeared.

Manager Gary Word introduced Ms. Knibbe a Preservation Architect from Ypsilanti who he has recruited to help the Commissioners with the Demolition Guidelines if they so desire.

Ms Knibbe stated that she could help the Commissioners with the Design Standards, the Demolition Guidelines, provide training for the Commissioners as well as explain the Michigan Historic Preservation Act.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to solicit the proposal from Elisabeth Knibbe to deal with an ordinance update, provide training sessions, and proceed with a document that addresses demolition guidelines. Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

Manager Word stated that he would forward these Historic District ideas to City Council.

Motion by Cryderman, supported by Holleman to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 P.M.

Motion Unanimously Carried. Voice Vote.

Respectfully submitted,

P. S. Howard

Recording Secretary