Historic Commission Minutes

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NORTHVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
April 20, 2005
Wednesday - 7:00 P.M.  – Approved
Northville City Hall -Council Chambers

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

2.  ROLL CALL:

            Present: Culp, Holleman, Rodgers and Johnson.

            Excused: Bayly, Gudritz, Coponen

Also Present:  Chief Building Official, Richard Starling.

3.  MINUTES:  March 16, 2005.

Commissioner Holleman stated that he would like to have added to case # 2 that he stepped down so he could present the case. The motion appeared above Case #2. Chairman Johnson suggested moving the motion below Case # 2. Commissioner Culp pointed out that a motion was missing on Case #1. Motion by Culp and supported by Rodgers to grant a notice to proceed needs to be added. Chairman Johnson stated that the two motions for Case # 2 should also reflect that Commissioner Holleman abstained from the vote.

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to accept the March 16, 2005 minutes with modifications.   Voice Vote:  Ayes: All.  Motion Unanimously Carried.

4.   AUDIENCE COMMENTS: Dan Lussier of 548 W. Dunlap requested to be added to the agenda for approval of paint colors. Chairman Johnson said the board would hear him as Case # 5. Joe Eckhout of 220 Linden stated that would like to comment on the fence ordinance. He said that he has looked at the guidelines for fences on corner lots of 42” in back and 36” on the side and feels that it is important that those guidelines are followed in the Historic District and also believes that when residents see they can put up fences on corner lots that a lot of them will start appearing in the Historic District. He noted an 8’ PVC fence and a PVC split rail fence recently erected in the area and does not want to see them get out of control and feels that some of the ordinances need to be looked at and changed to preserve what everyone is working for in the neighborhood.

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
TIM & JENNIFER LUIKART                             GARAGE DOOR        
521 WEST CADY STREET
NORTHVILLE, MI.  48167

Tim Luikart stated that he and his wife Jennifer would like to replace their 25 year old garage door with a Clopay door that is an articulated door like what is typically found in a historic carriage house. Mr. Luikart also said that they were looking at a couple of other alternatives that were late add ons and gave those to the commission. Commissioner Holleman asked if they were looking at a door with windows. Mr. Luikart stated they most likely would have windows but he was not 100% sure. Commissioner Culp stated that all three options were nice but wondered if there was a reason that the handle at the bottom was black to draw attention to it. Mr. Luikart said he would have no problem painting it white.

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

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to grant a notice to proceed and approve the three options for the garage door with the final choice to be given to Rick Starling and that the handle on the bottom of the door be painted white.

 Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

CASE #2                                                                                                                                                       EXTERIOR COLORS,
MR. & MRS. SAMHAT                                      DOORS, RAILINGS,
404 DUBUAR                                                 & WINDOWS
NORTHVILLE, MI. 48167

Matt Samhat was present to speak on behalf of his father who could not be in attendance. He presented his submission for a Craftmaster overhead door and stated that they were also considering a Windsor door that was fairly close from a different manufacturer. He showed the pamphlet to the commission and asked for approval on both doors so they could choose either option. He further stated that they would like windows in the door and would use one of the choices on the back of the brochure and would like suggestions on what the board thinks would go best with the house. The Samhats would like to paint the two entry doors to the garage to match the siding that would be going up. The color would be Sandstone Beige with a Country Redwood accent. Commissioner Rodgers suggested that the windows for the garage door closely match the windows for the entry doors and that Kensington on their pamphlet is a close match. Mr. Samhat also addressed siding color stating that they would like to go with Savannah Wicker with Sandstone Beige or Cameo trim. Next he presented the submission for the front entry door of the house stating they would like to go with the door marked on the brochure that was ¾ glass and that the door would be painted a Country Redwood. They would also like to add railing across the front of the porch and down the garage stairs that would be painted to match in Sandstone Beige.  Commissioner Holleman asked if there was a drawing. Mr. Samhat said he did not have a drawing for the porch but had provided a sketch for the garage stairway and that the balusters would be square wood. He also added that not on the list were windows in the loft area of the garage that are broken and missing. They would like to match the windows that are currently there and if they could not find them they would try to match the windows in the house. Chairman Johnson stated that it is helpful to have construction drawing rather than quick sketches like the one presented for the railings and that the board could not approve the railings without them and asked that they be provided to show detail. At this time the applicant asked to also add crown molding above the windows.

Motion by Culp, supported by Rodgers  to accept the application for completeness in terms of the garage entry doors, siding and trim color and the front entry door.

Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried

Motion amended to include the garage overhead door.  Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried

Motion by Culp, supported by Holleman to grant a notice to proceed including the overhead garage door to be the Craftmaster or Windsor, including smaller panels with the Kensington windows, and that the garage entry door is to be the Sandstone beige with the pin stripping just around the glass in the Redwood and the rest of the colors to be as submitted.  Voice Vote: Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Chairman Johnson noted that the motion does not include approval of the railing for the garage stairs or the railing for the front porch or any of the windows in the garage. Applicant asked about the trim at the top of the windows not being included. Commission asked for more information about where it would be installed and if they could see a sample when the applicant brings back railing details. Applicant stated that this would prevent him from starting his siding. Commission asked where trim would go. Applicant stated that there are 21 windows in the house and it would go on all windows where the roofline did not interfere with installation. Motion revised to include the window trim with the notation that it would not be on the porch window.

Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried

Applicant then stated that he would like approval for the Quest Cameo for the trim. Motion revised again to allow Quest Cameo as a trim color option.

 Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried

CASE #3                                                          FENCE
JANICE JOHNS
410 E. MAIN STREET
NORTHVILLE, MI. 48167

Janice Johns spoke on her behalf to request approval to erect a fence behind her commercial/residential mixed use building to delineate the private yard for the upper residence from the parking area for the lower level commercial space. Applicant also stated that she would be returning to the Planning Commission with a revised plan to change parking configuration from 6 spaces to 11 spaces to gain a little more yard space and save 3 trees. Fence sample brought by applicant was a white picket with a Victorian Gothic style post. Applicant also stated that there was an error in height description provided by her and that the fence height in some areas would be 6’ not 8’as shown. Building official Rick Starling stated the fence did meet Zoning requirements but suggested that the applicant go to Planning Commission with the revised plan. The Commission had concerns about the eccentric shape of the fence. Chairman Johnson said it would be helpful in this situation to get the Planning Commissions approval first for the modifications so they would know exactly where the fence is going. He also stated that is important for them to have the dimensions which are not listed on the current proposal and the Planning Commissions approval would make a difference on where the fence may or may not go and that it would be premature for them to make a decision at this time.

Motion by Holleman, supported by Culp to refer the application back to the applicant.

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

CASE #4                                                   FENCE (Phase I)
DAN BEAZLEY
418 W. DUNLAP STREET
NORTHVILLE, MI. 48167

Dan Beasley spoke on his behalf. He presented a letter with modifications to the original proposal as follows.

             -Adjoining the furthest west side of the home and running north along Linden Street to the existing driveway that leads to the garage.

            - Adjoining the southwest corner of the garage and running west to meet the above fence.

            - Adjoining the northwest corner of the garage and running east to meet the existing fence (approx. 6 feet)

            - Gates would be installed as described on the original diagram with the addition  of one additional gate behind the garage.

Applicant stated at the last meeting he was asked to come back with more detail and that he has put together a plan with every dimension imaginable on it. He further stated that due to site plans issues and concerns of neighbors that they would do the fence in 2 phases and is asking for approval of phase I. Back area will be left the same. Behind the garage on the north east corner will connect to the fence and to the garage with a gate and the garage to the house as previously indicated. There will be two gates where a small driveway exists but is currently not used to park cars. Material will be cedar. Commissioner Holleman asked if fence height would be 48”. Applicant stated he would like to go with whatever the ordinance allows. The current fence is 48” but if it only allows for 42” he would abide by that. Neighbors in the audience asked if the slab could be removed from behind the proposed fence. They have concerns that when the gates are open they will obstruct sidewalk. Applicant stated gates would have at least a two foot clearance and they would not obstruct the sidewalk.  Chairman Johnson said it would make more sense to approve the fence straight across without gates if it was possible for the slab to be removed.  The current property owner who was present said that removal is not an option at this time.  Chairman Johnson stated the revised plan looked significantly better than the original. Commissioner Holleman asked if the applicant did say he would make a concession on the height. Applicant said if there is a concern about the height he would be willing to go lower. Chairman Johnson stated that on a corner lot height makes a significant difference and going to a 36” height would blend the fence in better and step it down to the point that it was not nearly as visible and noticeable. Applicants concern was that his dog not be able to jump the fence and asked if he could go to a 42” height.

Motion by Rodgers, supported by Holleman to accept the application for completeness.

Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Motion by Culp, supported by Rodgers to grant a notice to proceed with Phase I with modifications of a 42” fence with a gate.

Voice Vote:  Ayes:  All.  Motion Unanimously Carried. 

CASE #5 (add on)                                        PAINT COLOR
JOHN LUSSIER
548 W. DUNLAP STREET
NORTHVILLE, MI. 48167

John Lussier asked the board to review his paint colors for the exterior of his home. He has selected HC133-Yorktown Green for the main house color with HC85-Fairview Taupe for the trim and either HC 35 or 36-Powell Buff for the eyebrows. The colors are from the Benjamin Moore Historical color chart. The commissioners preferred HC-35 as the color choice for the eyebrows. Commissioner Holleman stated that the colors were a good selection. Chairman Johnson asked the applicant in the future to please get on the agenda in advance and that he would entertain a motion provided that the applicant agrees he will fill out all the appropriate forms with Mr. Starling first thing in the morning.

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

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

7.  DISCUSSION:

Commission discussed a letter received from Michele Kelly regarding ongoing 3 year old project at 410 E. Main that she feels is not making progress. Building Official Starling stated that there has been ongoing work and that by legal definition the homeowner is within her rights because the project has not been abandoned for 180 days. He further added that there have also been contractor issues that have caused a significant amount of her work to have to be re-done. In addition she has kept up with sidewalk and grass maintenance, and when there have been enforcement issues he has addressed what he can enforce. Chairman Johnson stated the letter was addressed to Rick and that he should respond. Rick said he would be taking the letter to the City Manager. Chairman Johnson said the manager would send the proper response.

Chairman Johnson also asked the commissioners to look at the final report from the Downtown Steering Commission that was given to them and told them that the council would be accepting the report at the meeting on May 2. He further stated that they are recommending that the Historic Commission become involved with some very specific tasks.

8.  ADJOURNMENT:

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Shari Allen
Recording Secretary