Historic Commission Minutes

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NORTHVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
June 16, 2004
Wednesday 7:00 P.M.  – Approved
Northville City Hall -Council Chamber

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

2.  ROLL CALL:

            Present: Culp, Bayly, Holleman, and Gudritz.

            Excused:  Coponen, Cryderman, and Johnson

Also Present:  Chief Building Official, Richard Starling.

3.  MINUTES:  April 21, 2004 and May 19, 2004

Motion by Gudritz , supported by Culp to approve the April 21, 2004 minutes as submitted.   Voice Vote: All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz to approve the May 19, 2004 minutes as amended.  Voice Vote:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.  Case #2 should read “the fence will be mounted with the finished (good) side to the exterior interior.

4.   AUDIENCE COMMENTS: None.

5.   REPORTS:

      A.  City Administration:  None.

      B.  City Council:  None.

      C.  Historic District Commission:  None.

      D.  Other Community / Governmental Liaisons:  None.

6.  CASES:

CASE #1

First Baptist Church of Northville                                         Siding Color
209 N. Wing Street
Northville, Michigan  48167

The pastor of the First Baptist Church described plans to remove the existing aluminum siding and install vinyl siding (4” reveal), install seamless gutters, four vinyl windows and a new column porch post on the pastor’s home to the south of the church.   The contractor is Nu-View Construction, 643 N. Mill St., Plymouth, Michigan.

Colors:

Siding - Wicker, Trim – Pebblestone Clay, Gutter – Norwegian Wood, Shutter – Autumn Red.

The Pastor stated that at this time the Church can not afford wood siding and trim.

Commissioner Comments:  Typically, vinyl siding is not allowed in the Historic District. However, the new 4” reveal siding is a big improvement to the home.  The house was built in the 1950’s with the 8” aluminum siding.

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz  to accept the application for completeness.   Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz  to grant a motion to proceed, with the condition that the four new windows in the front be the same color (white vinyl) as the existing windows and the siding is a 4” reveal. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion    Unanimously Carried.

CASE #2                                                          Addition/Remodel
Abraham Residence
521 W. Main Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

Rob Armstrong representing the Armstrong Design Group described the plans for the addition to the home built around 1900.  The new dormer will be subordinate to the original home and have a negative impact on the Main Street (north) elevation.  Plans include:

·        Move the existing laundry room to the first floor and create a mud room/entry at the rear of the house.

·        Increase the kitchen and nook area.

·        Create a master bed room suite with full bath on the second floor.

·        Materials include wood siding. The windows, trim and paint colors will match that of the existing house.

·        New chimney at the rear (south) will be brick to match that of the existing chimney.

Commissioners Comments and Concerns: The Commissioners liked the addition and the fact that it is subordinate to the original house. They preferred a brick fireplace as opposed to the planned pre fabricated fireplace and preferred real brick on the chimney.  

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz to accept the application for completeness. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly  to grant a notice to proceed.  Voice Vote: Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #3                                                                                     SIGN
Yum Design
118 MainCentre
Northville, Michigan 48167

No one was present to represent the application.  The contractor is Sue Dillon from Graphic Visions.  The application stated that the 24” x 91” sign is a MainCenter Sign.  All text and graphics will be V-carved.  The sign will be a 2” Sign foam substrate, route red, and painted Navajo White.  Colors include charcoal grey (SW4076), Positive Red (SW 6871) and Traditional Gold Leaf Beveled Edge (Required by Singh Management).  The Yum! Design Corporate logo will be hogged out changing the plane of the sign.

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz to accept the application for completeness. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Nays: None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Bayly, supported by Culp to grant a notice to proceed and submit all appropriate documents to the Building Department. Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #4                                                                       SIGN
First Baptist Church of Northville
217 N. Wing Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

The pastor of First Baptist Church explained the plans for a new sign.  The original sign was blown down in a recent storm.  The cost to repair the old sign is more than the cost of a new sign.  The shape and dimensions of the new sign will be changed to the opposite direction.   The sign’s dimensions are 80” x 36” and the posts are 72” from the ground.  The posts are 10’ x 4” x 6” painted white with fluted add-ons.  The sign panel is white with black dimensional letters. The fypon molding which frames the sign is 3 ½”.  The installation of the new sigh is in the same location as the old sign.  Graphic Visions in the contractor. 

The Chief Building Official stated the sign’s dimensions meet the Northville’s Sign regulations.

Motion by Bayly, supported by Culp to accept the application for completeness.

Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by, Gudritz, supported by Culp to issue a notice to proceed.

Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried. 

CASE #5                                                                                   Dormer
Joe Eckhout
220 Linden
Northville, Michigan 48167

The home owner, Joe Eckhout described plans to remodel the existing dormer on the rear of the Craftsman style house.  He is not adding any square footage, but only raising the roof to make the existing non useable space (28’ x 22’), usable.  All the colors will remain the same and all materials will match that of the existing home.    

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly to accept the application for completeness. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly to issue a certificate of appropriateness.  Voice Vote: Ayes: All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #6                                                                                 Porch
Jon Hutto
333 N. Rogers
Northville, Michigan 48167

Mr. Hutto described plans to reconstruct the existing wood porch and railings which are currently unsafe.  The same porch footprint will be used. The new porch will be constructed with a 42” frost footing, a rough cement block and finished with brick veneer pavers to match the existing brick walkway. The wood railing will be cedar.   Paint colors for the railing will match the existing white which was approved in July of 2003.

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly to accept the application for completeness.   Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz to issue a notice to proceed. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #7                                                                              Fence
Millstream Apartments
430/450 E. Main Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

The owner of Millstream Apartments described plans for the installation of a wood fence at the rear of the property and surrounding the trash dumpster. The 42” fence will be constructed of treated pine.  As illustrated, it will be dog eared with alternating front and back, 2” x 4” cross members.    The dumpster and pad will also be covered with the same type of fence as well as the gate for the dumpster area.  Both sides of the fence will be landscaped.  A diagram was submitted. 

Michelle Wentworth, representing the Belanger property, which is to the rear (south) of Millstream Apartments stated that she is in agreement of the new fence, particularly since safety and liability issues, is involved.  There is almost a 5’ drop off between the two properties.    

The Chief Building Official stated that the fence meets all of the codes.

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly  to accept the application for completeness. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Gudritz, supported by Culp to issue a notice to proceed. Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #8                                                                            Fence
Belinda Foxworth                                                                                
212 West Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

Mr. Foxworth described plans to erect a 6’ dog eared, cedar privacy fence next to the existing chain link fence that belongs to his neighbor.  The fence will be placed on the southern property line, behind the garage (shared with the neighbor).  Pictures and a mortgage survey were provided.  Mr. Foxworth also provided a letter of agreement, signed by all neighbors impacted by the fence.  The fence will be panels from Home Depot and will be painted white on the interior side.  The exterior side of the fence will be left natural to match the neighbors (to the rear) décor.

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

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz to Grant a notice to proceed.  Voice Vote: All.  Nays:  None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Case #9 
Northville Arts Commission                                                 Exterior Paint
215 W. Main Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

Kathleen Tabaczynski, the representative for the Northville Arts Commission explained plans to paint the outside of the former Northville Senior Center. The building will be used by the Northville Arts Commission and the Northville Parks and Recreation as an Art Center for the community. The “Art House” will offer art related classes, workshops exhibits, recitals, concerts and art for consignments. Exterior plans include:

1.      Remove existing shutters.

2.      Prepare and paint all building trim, soffets and gutters.

3.      Change the sign to read: “Art House”.  Signage will be submitted at a later date.

4.      Paint sign to match the trim on the building.

Colors Include: 

·        Trim and Soffets – Granite Boulder – 790D-4

·        Door and Trim – Burnt Tile – 150-F

·        Porch Ceiling – Eucalyptus Leaf  - 490D-4

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

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly to grant a notice to proceed.  Voice Vote:  All. Nays: None. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Case #10
Jeffrey Feit                                                                                 Deck
384 N. Rogers
Northville, Michigan  48167

Jeffrey Feit, the homeowner, described plans for a deck at the rear of his home on North Rogers.  The house is a 1950’s house with out any frills. The deck will not be visible from Rogers Street.  The deck is Trex Decking, a composite material. The handrail will have cedar posts and spindles.  He does not plan to paint or stain the railing at this time, nor the deck’s structural beams which are also yellow pine. 

Commissioner Comments and Concerns:  Because the home is not an historical home, and because the placement of the deck in the seclusion of the rear yard, the Commissioners offered some leniency with the application.

Motion by Gudritz, supported by Culp to accept the application for completeness.

Voice Vote:  Ayes: All.  Nays:  None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Bayly, supported by Culp to grant a notice to proceed.  Voice Vote: Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Case #11
Pianin Family                                                              Windows/Siding
222 West Street
Northville, Michigan  48167

The Pianin's explained the new plans for their home at 222 West Street. They had previously submitted plans to the HDC on 3-17-2004.  The original plans included a request for vinyl siding.  At the commissioners’ suggestions, they have reviewed the application and have now decided to go with Hardie Plank.  The contractor is Ginnard, Quality Construction, Inc.  Plans include:

1.      Hardie Brand; Hardi Plank smooth fiber cement lap siding – 4” reveal.

2.      Hardie Brand; Scalloped Weatherboard siding will replace current scalloped siding.

3.      Cedar will be used for all vertical corner boards, window and door surrounds and band boards on the front and rear elevations.

4.      Existing windows will be replaced with 300 series, Argon and Low E double hung, vinyl Wallside windows.  These will match the design, size, proportions and profile of the original windows. They will be installed with the same relationship to the exterior wall and the original sash. 

5.      Colors include:  Main Siding – Dakota Woods green, Scallops/Bead Board-Clarksville gray, Trim and door - Country Redwood.

Because of costs, only the front and rear sides of the home will be repaired at this time. 

Commissioner Comments:  The Commissioners appreciated the Pianins' research into the suggestion of using Hardi Plank.  The colors were wonderful and they commended them for their hard work.

Motion by Culp, supported by Gudritz to accept the application for completeness.  Voice Vote: Ayes:   All. Nays:  None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Bayly to issue a notice to proceed.  Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Nays:  None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

7.  DISCUSSION: None.

8.  ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Bayly supported by Culp, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 P.M.

Voice Vote: Yeas: All. Nays: None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

P. S. Howard
Recording Secretary