Historic Commission Minutes

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Mayor Christopher Johnson called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. He welcomed Walt Coponen back on to the Historic District Commission.

Present: Culp, Bayly, Coponen, Cryderman, Gudritz, Holleman and Johnson.

Excused: None.

Also Present: Chief Building Official, Starling and City Manager, Gary Word.

3. MINUTES: January 21, 2004

Commissioner Bayly asked that on page 4, under COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, the following be added the commissioners were in agreement that the prospective "perceived height" of the building looked good.

Motion by Holleman, supported by Gudritz to approve the January 21, 2004 minutes as amended. Voice Vote: Motion Unanimously Carried.

A. City Administration: Manager, Gary Word reported that City Council has called a special meeting for the purpose of reviewing preliminary conceptual parking structure(s) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The Downtown Development Authority, Historic District Commission and the Planning Commission have been invited.

CASE #1
Wayne & Susan Presley                                   Alteration
494 W. Cady Street|
Northville, Michigan 48167

Greg Presley, the Architect, for the project described plans to alter the 1890 Victorian Farm House. In the late 1980’s this home was moved from E. Cady to W. Cady. The applicants have just completed a renovation project at 124 Randolph and are now planning this renovation. The intent is to tear off the previous rear addition and add a new larger rear addition, with a full basement. The new addition will connect to the garage at the 2^nd floor. The garage will be heated and have second floor living space. The square footage will increase from 2,000 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. The original porch remains as well as the original fenestration. The fenestration on the new addition will follow that of the original house but will not be as ornate. The roof line of the addition will be stepped down respecting that of the original house. The aluminum siding will be removed and the home’s original wood siding restored. The rear addition will have a shed roof and the house married to the garage with a reverse gable. The new side porch will repeat elements of the existing front porch.

The applicant will return to the Commission with samples, of materials, roof shingles, and a color chart.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: The Commissioners appreciated the hierarchy of the addition, the stepping down of the roof lines, and the removal of the siding and the restoration of the original wood siding.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to accept the application of completeness.

Motion by Culp, supported by Coponen to grant a certificate of appropriateness for 527 W. Dunlap. Voice Vote: Yeas: All. Nays: None. Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #2                                                  Alteration
Keith and Cindy Patterson
527 W. Dunlap
Northville, Michigan 48167

Greg Presley, the Architect for the project described plans for the renovation at 527 W. Dunlap St. Although the house dates back to the late 1890s there have been several additions thru the years. The home has great charm and includes many built-ins. The existing attached garage, on the west side of the house, will be removed and a new two car garage built at the rear of the lot. The existing shed will be relocated on to a cement slab and a small porch added. The renovation to the rear of the home will increase the square footage from 1700 sq. ft. to 2000 sq. ft. The rear renovation includes a new full basement with small back porch and a full bedroom on the second level. The original, very low, internal stair way does not meet code and will be reconfigured with in the house. A new powder room is planned in the space of the existing parlor. The new addition will have a reverse gable with shed dormers to allow for the needed head room. The new addition at the rear will have one ganged window and the remainder of the windows stand on their own. The new lap siding will match that of the original. The details of the new addition will match that of the exiting but on a smaller more simple scale.

The applicant stated that the paint color will remain the same and match that of the existing home. If any thing is changed, the trim color may be lightened and brightened and the applicant will return for approval.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Suggestions included not doing anything to destroy the fireplace in the front room. Both fireplaces (family room and front room) were Tom Sechler fire places. He is a wonderful brick layer. The plans are nice and they respect the style which is a blend of Greek Revival and New England Cape Cod.

Motion by Holleman supported by Bayly to accept the application for completeness. Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Cryderman to grant a certificate of appropriateness, for the application at 412 W. Dunlap St. Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Commissioner Cryderman suggested that all new members participate in a half day training session regarding Historical Preservation and Standards, similar to the work shop that Liz Knibbe, the historical preservationist, had presented to the Commission in 2003. He also suggested, because the Commission has much invested in this educational process, that all members should have a yearly refresher course in order to keep up with the new laws.

Commissioner Holleman spoke regarding a program that the Commissioners have been discussing on implementing. The program will be positive in nature to reward deserving Historic District applicants, both residential and commercial, who have completed a renovation in a calendar year.

Commissioner Culp inquired about the status of the D & D Bicycle Shop. Mayor Johnson reported that it is in the appeal process.

Ms Culp stated that City Council should know that the Historic Commission is not anti development, but is against wrong developments. The HDC has recently approved The New Victorian, Cambridge Place and CadyCentre.

Commissioner Holleman reported that a copy of Jeff Mihalik’s photo album of all homes in the Historic District will soon be available to the Historic District Commission. This was an Eagle Scout project and the original will be stored at Mill Race Village, and the copy in the City Clerk’s office.

Motion by Bayly supported by Culp, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

P. S. Howard

Recording Secretary