Historic Commission Minutes

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

Present: Cryderman, Culp, Swigart, Bayly, Holleman, Gudritz

Excused: Worley

City Administration: None.

City Council: None.

Historic District Commission: None.

Other Community / Governmental Liaisons: None.

CASE #1                                          Window Upgrade
Leanie Bayly
223 Linden Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

Motion by Culp, supported by Cryderman to excuse Ms. Bayly from the board in order for her to present her application. Voice Vote: Yeas: All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Ms Bayly described plans for the window upgrade to her home. Windows Plus is the

contractor. An actual window sample was provided. Four windows at the rear of the home (not original to the structure) will be replaced with custom constructed wood windows to fit the original window spaces. Two windows are 23" x 28" and two are 29" x 61". The new wood windows will have true divided light which will match the other existing windows on the home. The glass will be thermal pane. All of the exterior trim and sills will remain untouched. The windows will be painted to match the house trim (Color: Urban Putty.)

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the replacement windows at 223 Linden Street. Voice Vote: Ayes, All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #2                                                       Signage
Quizno’s Subs
122 MainCentre
Northville, Michigan 48167

No one was present to represent the application.

Motion by Cryderman, supported by Culp to refer the application back to the applicant because of insufficient color information. Voice Vote: Yeas: All Motion Unanimously Carried

CASE #3
Tri-County Title/Multi Building Co.                                 Demolition
335 East Cady Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

A representative from Multi Building Co. (Plymouth, Michigan) described plans to demolish the existing Tri –County Title and build a new two story structure. Multi Building Co. would then relocate to the second level of the new building, while the first level would be retail or office. Multi Building has discussed with the City Manager, and the DDA Director plans for this property which is about one half of an acre and extends to Griswold St. He stated that they are open to suggestions as to what to do with the existing structure, i.e. demolishing, moving or using it for educational (fire/police) purposes. Currently the building is used only for storage.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: A strong case for demolition must be provided. Items such as the history, the physical condition of the building, the reasoning as why the current building can’t be used, and conceptual plans for the new structure must be provided. The applicant must show that the building is a hazard to the safety and well being of the community, an undue hardship or that it is a non conforming structure to the community. The Commissioners suggested that the applicant refer to the City Ordinance regarding demolition and the Northville Historic District Design Standard’s Guidelines.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to refer the application for the demolition of Tri-County Title back to the applicant, because of insufficient information.

CASE #4                                                                    Fence
Eric Brown
543 West Dunlap Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

The applicant described plans to in stall two different pieces of new 4’ high chain link fence in the rear yard which will then completely enclose the rear yard. Over the years, several parts of the chain link have been removed. A new 3’ black ornamental iron fence will be installed in the front/side yard. A free standing 7’ arbor (not attached to the fence) will be placed in front of this ornamental iron fence. Great Lakes Fence Co. will install the fence. Diagrams of the chain link and iron fence as well as the arbor were provided.

Chief Building Official, Richard Starling reminded the applicant that it is against the ordinance to attach the arbor to the fence.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to issue a certificate of appropriateness for

543 W. Dunlap. Voice Vote. Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #5                                                  Addition /Alterations
Mike & Sarah Weyburne
226 West Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

The Weyburne’s presented plans for the addition and alterations to their home at 226 West Street. Originally they had submitted plans in April but were referred back for more information. He believes he now has the appropriate information. Mr. Weyburne stated that all alterations will occur at the rear of the home. Plans include a breakfast room and second floor (third) bed room. Some alterations were done on the house eight years a go and the new building will enhance the previous project. Although several pictures were provided of the rear elevation, only elementary diagrams of the proposed addition were provided.

Chief Building Inspector stated that construction details and specifics need to be provided, such as window and door trims, window sizing and dimensions, roof overhang, samples of roofing, paint colors etc.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTRS AND CONCERNS: The Commissioners expressed concerns regarding the lack of details for the project.

Motion by Cryderman, supported by Gudritz to refer the application back to the applicant pending additional details as cited above. Voice Vote: Yeas: All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

7. DISCUSSION:

7-A Historic Design Standards and Demolition Guidelines

Chairman Swigart reported that he and the City Manager had recently met with Liz Knibbe in Ann Arbor regarding the Historic Design Standard upgrade and took with him the most recent comments submitted by the Commissioners. At this point the commission is waiting for the final draft, which will then be scrutinized and returned if needed for resubmission.

Commissioner Comments and Concerns: Because of ongoing applications for demolition the commissioners were in agreement that time is of the essence regarding "demolition" language, time frames etc. The idea of tying the "approval to demolish" into the building permit was discussed. Perhaps such action would enable the applicant to have several months at the Historic Commission District level and then another twelve months tied on to the building permit level. This would enable all applicants and all cases to have the same time frame.

8. ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Cryderman, supported by Culp to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

P. S. Howard
Recording Secretary