Historic Commission Minutes

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NORTHVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
February 16, 2005
Wednesday7:00 P.M.  – Approved (amended 3-16-2005)
Northville City Hall -Council Chamber

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

2.  ROLL CALL:

            Present: Culp, Bayly, Coponen, Gudritz  Johnson and Rodgers.

            Excused:  Holleman

Also Present:  Chief Building Official, Richard Starling.

3.  MINUTES:  January 19, 2005.

Motion by Culp, supported by Coponen to approve the January 19, 2005 minutes as submitted.   Voice Vote: All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

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
Ronald Phillips                                                  Siding
227 West Street
Northville, Michigan  48167

Brian Ginnard representing Ginnard Quality Construction, Inc. described plans to replace the existing aluminum siding with JH HardiPlank fiber cement lap siding.  The color is Khaki Brown.  All vertical corner trim will be replaced with MiraTEC composite trim. That color is light beige.

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

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

CASE #2                                                                     New Building
Daskal Development
168/170 East Main Street
Northville, Michigan 48167

Mayor Johnson stated that at the February Historic District Meeting the Commissioners inquired about the status of the approval for the demolition of 160 - 170 East Main Street, or the Sheehan Building. The demolition permit was granted on November 28, 2001.  The City’s attorney has advised that this existing permit is still valid.

Keith Patterson, Director of Building Projects for the Northville Historical Society, stated that the NHS is interested in the historical value that is represented by the Sheehan Building.  Preliminary research indicates that the building is the last wooden balloon frame constructed, commercial building in downtown Northville.  Because of its rich history and various uses of the building thru out the last 120 years the NHS is interested in preserving the structure.  The NHS Board had an emergency meeting and a motion was approved and money allotted to begin a discovery process to determine the feasibility of disassembly and the removal from the original site and the reconstruction of the building as part of the Mill Race Village collection.

Jim Cooper, representing International Development and Daskal Development, reviewed the plans to build a new development at 168/170 East Main Street.  The new three level, multi tenant structure is approximately 12,000 sq ft., 43’ x 96’, and with a height of 40’.  The elevations match the adjacent Long Building at the front and rear.  The hope is to move the existing historical structure to Mill Race Village.  Mr. Cooper asked for final approval. 

Features Include:

• Combination of limestone and brick construction.  Brick is historic in design and neutral in color and mortar will match the limestone.

• Keystone above the double hung windows.

• Two handicapped spaces are provided at the rear and the applicant will purchase an additional 43 spaces. 

•  Detailed site plan has been submitted to the Planning Commission.

• Light fixtures – anodized bronze. 

Commissioners Comments and Concerns:

• Some liked the Brownstone look of the 1890’s and its compatibility with the Long building to the east.
• The new building is a good design. If the historical structure can be moved to Mill Race it will be for Northville’s best interest.     
• The suggestion was made to add architectural relief on the westerly, solid brick wall, adjacent to Uptown Café.  Because of it’s visibility from the Gazebo area adding a cornice wrap or soldier course would provide interest. 
• Several struggled with mass and scale of the buildings. Actual height and perceived height are sometimes different.  Street scale and drawings indicating showing the relationship of this building to the other buildings on the north and south sides of Main St. as well as, all buildings within 300 feet should be provided included with the application. (Amended 3-16-2005.)
•  Others struggled with the amount of glass making the building look modern.

Public Comments:

• Marc Trudeau – 501 W. Cady – and Vice President of the NCBA spoke in support of the project and is favor of the types of clients it will attract to Northville.

• Keith Patterson – 527 W. Dunlap – representing the Northville Historic Society stated that at an emergency NHS meeting one week ago the historical significance of the Sheehan Building was discussed.  Potential solutions other than demolishing the building included the feasibility of relocating the entire structure to Mill Race, either as a whole or by disassembling.  If this is not feasible than perhaps only the front façade could be relocated to Mill Race.  At this point Daskal Development has granted the NHS some time to explore these options.     

• Tom Sheehan, representing his family, stated the design and use of the Daskal Project and the attempts to move the Historical Sheehan Building to Mill Race are exactly his deceased father’s wishes. 

• Dita Daskal – owner of Utopia – stated she plans to continue her salon in the new building and is looking forward to at least the next 15 years as a business owner. 

• Fred Shadko – 47040 Timberlane – passionately spoke in favor of the preservation of the Sheehan Building and the entire Historic District.  He is disappointed that none of the Commissioners have addressed issues of mass, height and scale of the building.

Commissioner Additional Comments:

• The Historic District Commission members are comprised of professionally talented members.  The presentation was impressive and the quality project will fit in with the surroundings. 

Motion by Coponen,  supported by Gudritz to accept the application for completeness. Voice Vote:  Ayes: Culp, Gudritz, Coponen, Rodgers, and Johnson.  Nays: Bayly.  Motion Carried.

Motion by Coponen, supported by Rodgers   to grant a motion to proceed, with the condition that a minor brick relief be added to the west wall mimicking that which is at the front or north elevation   Voice Vote: Ayes:  Culp, Coponen, Gudritz, Rodgers and Johnson.  Nays: Bayly.  Motion Carried.

CASE #3                                                      ROOF CHANGE
Martha Aver/Bear Roofing
383 N. Rogers
Northville, Michigan 48167

The representative from Bear Roofing, Inc. described plans to change the roof.  Anew small gable roof will be added over the existing flat 27’ x 14’.  The small gable roof will tie into two ridge lines over the flat with two small walls at each end to be sided to match the existing on the house.  New 3-tab roof shingles will match the existing autumn brown shingles. 

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

Motion byGudritz, supported by Rodgers to grant a notice to proceed with the installation of the new roof as well as the addition of the small gable over the existing 27’x 14’ flat roof.   Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

7.  DISCUSSION:

• Commissioner Culp expressed concerns regarding the historic application process and the documentation required.  She emphasized the need for consistency with each individual case and consistency that all applicants be held to the same standard of the required information to be submitted.

• Commissioner Gudritz reported that there will be a DDA Steering Committee meeting on 3-9-2005 at 7:00 PM at the Northville Township Community Room.  The Draft of the comments from the citizen’s form regarding the Robert Gibbs Study will be discussed.  This is a public meting, but he invited the Historic District Commissioners to attend.  

Resident Comments:

• Robert Sochacki -  223 Linden – reminded the Commissioners that it is their responsibility to maintain and preserve the historic nature of the district, and tonight, particularly the Historic Downtown.  The Historic District Guidelines must be up held in all cases.  If those standards are not up held, and the Commission is not careful, it risks throwing away Northville’s legacy.

• Resident Keith Patterson – 527 W. Dunlap – stated that he has been reading about the evolution of small towns.  Small towns are “fluid” and seem to change with the needs of society.  The Daskal Development follows the needs of the community.  There is really nothing scientific about how towns grow.  It is just an incredible evolution.

8.  ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Coponen, supported by Culp, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 P.M.

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

Respectfully submitted,

P. S. Howard
Recording Secretary