HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 Historic District Commission MinutesDraft to Clerk: / /04
Approved: 08/03/04
To Clerk: 08/03/04
SHPO: 08/17/04
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
5:30-7:00 p.m. Monday, May 10, 2004
Planning & Neighborhood Development Conference Room
316 North Capitol Avenue, Suite C3
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Members Present: Todd Cordill
Whitney Miller
Philip Mondro
Curtis Sonnenberg
Mary Toshach
Excused Absences: Jeremy Deming
Staff Present: John Hodges, Senior Planner
Bill Rieske, Principal Planner
Others Present: Tom Kosovec, 2117 Moores River Drive, regarding
HDC-1-04.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - It was moved by Ms. Miller, seconded by Mr.
Mondro, and CARRIED unanimously (5-0), to approve the agenda as printed.
3. COMMUNICATIONS - None
4. HEARINGS (ADVERTISED)
A. HDC-1-04, 527 Cherry Street, Re -roofing.
1. Public Hearing
Mr. Hodges presented the case. This is a request by Tom Kosovec
for approval of a reroofing project at 527 Cherry Street. The
shingles will have to be replaced, as they are badly deteriorated.
Mr. Kosovec plans on replacing the roof with similar shingles. Mr.
Kosovec spoke on behalf of the application, and there were no
other comments from the public.
Mr. Kosovec also inquired about window repair/replacement work
he is considering. The current windows that are there are pretty
Historic District Commission Minutes, May 10, 2004 paw
much the original windows. Commission members suggested that
repairing what is there will be much cheaper and more aesthetically
pleasing than trying to replace them. The standards are: you must
replace them with the exact same window, or something that looks
exactly the same. The problem with vinyl windows is, they do not
have a product that satisfies that requirement. A wood or wood
substitute product would be preferable over vinyl or other type
material.
2. Commission Action
It was moved by Mr. Mondro, seconded by Ms. Toshach, and
CARRIED unanimously (5-0), to approve HDC-1-04, the reroofing
project at 527 Cherry Street, and to issue a Certificate of
Appropriateness based on standard #6 of the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Rieske reported that he received an inquiry from the Kelliat Israel Synagogue
regarding funding for window replacement. They are considered a non-profit.
They are wondering if anyone knows of any kind of program that would help
them fund the replacement of windows. Commission members suggested the
AASLH (American Association for State and Local History).
6. PRESENTATIONS - None
7. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
8. BUSINESS SECTION
A. Minutes for Approval - None
B. New Business
1. Commission Membership
Mr. Rieske reported that Todd Cordill and Jeremy Deming are new
appointees, and there are three other vacant positions to be filled.
Both Whitney Miller and Curtis Sonnenberg are coming up for re-
appointing to the committee. Mr. Sonnenberg has indicated an
interest in continuing his service on the Commission. Ms. Miller is
unable to continue due to schedule conflicts.
2. Orientation/Trainina Session
New members need to go through the orientation and training
sessions. Amy Arnold from SHPO's office would be helpful to go
through what a local certified district does. Training packets should
be made up for the new appointees. Out-of-state
Historic District Commission Minutes, May 10, 2004 Page 3
conferences/training would be out of the question at this time due
to budget constraints.
C. Old Business
1. HDC-3-02, 221 E. Hillsdale Street, Fire Damaqe Rehabilitation.
The property was fire damaged, and the owner, Mrs. Getzmiller
sold it to Thomas Little and his daughter, who said they wanted to
fix it up. The new owner took out a building permit and based upon
some specifications it was approved. Skylights were installed
(which were NOT part of the certificate of appropriateness), and
work that was approved has not been done yet. The neighborhood
would rather the property be torn down. The commission has been
trying to convince the applicant and her father to repair the building.
As of May 5, a letter was written from the Building Safety office that
access must be provided for a proper inspection of the installations
that have been made, or the permit will be canceled. If the permit
is canceled, then the property goes into the demolition process,
which would involve the HDC regarding "Demolition by Neglect".
2. Approval of minutes
a. November 7, 2002
b. December 5, 2002
C. December 9, 2002
d. January 9, 2003
e. February 13, 2003
f. April 3, 2003
g. June 5, 2003
h. August 7, 2003
i. November 3, 2003
j. December 4, 2003
It was moved by Ms. Toshach, seconded by Ms. Miller, and
CARRIED unanimously (5-0), to approve all minutes as presented.
D. Committee Reports - None.
E. Pending Items: Future Action Required
1. Approval of Minutes
a. January 21, 2004
b. February 20, 2004
C. March 8, 2004
2. Election of Officers
9. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
Historic District Commission Minutes, May 10, 2004 Pa 2 44
Whitney Miller reported on the MHPN Conference 2004. In Oakland County,
they were working on a large GIS project which included historic preservation as
a major component. They were mapping and documenting all their historic sites,
potential sites, and natural history. Once the map was produced, they would
present it to the commission for help in their planning issues. Whitney would like
to see the City try to get involved in a similar project.
Mr. Rieske reported that John Hodges (Senior Planner) has been working on
GIS mapping for the City of Lansing (including Historic Districts and potential
Historic Districts).
10. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESERVATION RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Mondro reported on a property on Jerome St., where an external deck was
completed with railing that has turned out very nicely. There is quite a bit going
on between Fairview and Clemens on Michigan Ave. right now. In the 2000
Block of E. Michigan, the dance studio's diagonal planking has been removed,
there is now the original brick. Jeff Throop has done a phenomenal job
preserving his property.
A discussion ensued regarding the possibility of preservation awards for this
year. Possibly, the awards will not be done this year because of Susan
Cantlon's retirement, and the difficulty of everyone's schedule.
11. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Mr. Mondro, seconded by Ms. Miller, and CARRIED
unanimously (5-0), to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Ulan-dev\shareMPLANNING OFFICE\Historic District Cmsn\HDC 2004\HDC Minutes 2004\HDC Minutes 040510.wpd
Approved: 1/3 /05
To Clerk: 1/4 /05
S HPO: 1 /4/05
MINUTES
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
5:30-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2004
Planning & Neighborhood Development Conference Room
316 North Capitol Avenue, Suite C3
I. CALL TO ORDER
Todd Cordill, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Members present: Todd Cordill, Justin Draeger, Philip Mondro, Audrey
Savage, Curtis Sonnenberg, Mary Toshach
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Bill Rieske, Principal Planner
John Hodges, Senior Planner
Others Present: Richard Karp, Karp and Associates
Mike Sebastian, 208 Partners
Angie Chepko and Greg Robertson, Douglas Painters
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Mondro, seconded by Ms. Toshach, and CARRIED (6-0), to
approve the agenda as presented.
3. COMMUNICATIONS None.
4. HEARINGS (ADVERTISED) - None.
5. STAFF COMMENTS - None.
6. PRESENTATIONS - None.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT - Ms. Chepko and Mr. Robertson, of Douglas Painters,
inquired about paint colors for historic buildings, and the approval process for
buildings located within historic districts.
Historic District Commission Minutes, October 4, 2004 Page 2
8. BUSINESS SECTION
A. New Business
1. Petitions to Establish Single -Resource Local Historic Districts
at 401 S. Washington and 208 N. Capitol Avenues.
Mr. Rieske discussed the process for establishing historic districts
and requested a recommendation from the Commission regarding
the establishment of the two districts and the appointment of study
committee members.
Commission Action: It was moved by Mr. Mondro, seconded by Ms.
Toshach, and CARRED unanimously (6-0) to recommend that a
Historic District Study Committee be created to begin the
establishment of local historic districts for the Arbaugh Building,
401 S. Washington, and the Mutual Building, 208 N. Capitol, at the
request of the property owners. The Commission further
recommended that a single Study Committee be established and
made up of the two property owners and two Commission
members. Richard Karp (Arbaugh's building owner) and Michael
Sebastian (Mutual building owner), and Commission members Phil
Mondro and Mary Toshach each volunteered to serve.
B. Minutes for Approval - August 23, 2004.
It was moved by Mr. Mondro, seconded by Ms. Toshach, and CARRIED
(6-0) to approve the August 23, 2004 minutes as printed.
C. Old Business
1. Discussion of HDC-3-02, 221 E. Hillsdale - Demolition by Neglect.
Mr. Rieske provided a brief update.
2. Discussion of HDC-2-04 - 520 Cherry Street , Certificate of
Appropriateness to Re -roof Structure. Commission members
noted that this project has been completed in a timely fashion, and
looks good.
3. Discussion of Cherry Hill Development Proposal. Mr. Rieske briefly
discussed a proposal for townhouses south of the Cherry Hill
Historic District.
D. Committee Reports - None.
E. HDC Training - None scheduled. Ms. Toshach distributed copies of an e-
mail she received with regard to training offered by the State Historic
Preservation Office.
9. PENDING ITEMS: FUTURE ACTION REQUIRED - None.
Historic District Commission Minutes, October 4, 2004 Page3
10. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS - None.
11. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESERVATION RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Mondro noted improvements made to the property at 110 S. Clemens.
Ms. Toshach noted that an "ugly duckling award" should go to a property on
Barnes Avenue near Davis.
12. ADJOURNMENT - It was moved by Ms. Toshach, seconded by Ms. Savage, and
CARRIED (6-0) to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Next Regular Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2004, in the
PAID Conference Room.
FAPLANNING OFFICE\Historic District Cmsn\HDC 2004\HDC Minutes 2004\HDC Minutes 041004.wpd
4
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Approved: January 3, 2005
To Clerk: January 4, 2005
SHPO: January 4, 2005
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
5:30-7:00 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2004
Planning & Neighborhood Development Conference Room
316 North Capitol Avenue, Suite C3
Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
A. Introductions:
B. Roll Call: Todd Cordill Philip Mondro
Justin Draeger Mary Toshach
C. Absences: Audrey Savage Curtis Sonnenberg.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - It was moved by Ms. Toshach, seconded by Mr.
Mondro, and CARRIED (4-0) to approve the agenda.
COMMUNICATIONS - None.
HEARINGS (ADVERTISED) - None.
STAFF COMMENTS - Mr. Rieske commented about the agenda items.
PRESENTATIONS - None.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
BUSINESS SECTION
A. New Business
1. 122 Smith Avenue - Agency Referral
The Lansing Development Office, at the request of the
neighborhood, proposes to acquire 122 Smith with Community
Development Block Grant funds, raze the structure, and divide the
lot to adjacent properties to reduce overcrowding. The building
was probably a single family structure, but is now red -tagged, and
houses two vacant units. It is a Craftsman design, built in 1912,
and according to the State Historic Preservation Officer, is located
Historic District Commission Minutes, November 1, 2004 Page 2
in the (potential) Moores Place Historic District, which appears to
meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic
Places. Currently, the building and the district are not listed on the
National Register, and are not in a local historic district.
The Greater Lansing Housing Coalition has acquired the property
to secure ownership. One alternative to demolition is for GLHC to
rehabilitate the building for single-family owner occupancy.
Commission member comments were numerous and mixed. They
include:
► Demolition would be more detrimental than beneficial to the
neighborhood development pattern.
► Demolition will not detract - building is in disrepair, the lot
sizes on Coleman are too shallow, the building is not in a
designated historic district, and the building is not eligible as
a single -resource district.
► The building has no structural problems that would hinder its
rehabilitation, so the building should be saved.
► If space is a problem, the owners could remove their fences
and create a more open space.
► The violations are minimal, and it is not blighted.
► Don't raze the house because of bad renters.
► Small back yards are common in the neighborhood.
► Razing the house and dividing the property would create a
windfall for the owners of the Coleman properties.
► Will fair market value be charged in the resale of the
property to the Coleman property owners (after demolition)?
► Will the City recoup its costs?
► The house, if rehabbed, would add to the tax base of the
City. Demolition will subtract from the tax base.
HDC member comments will be forwarded to the Planning Board
and the Development Office.
2. 2005 Meeting Schedule - Approved by consensus.
3. Discussion of Work Program.
Mr. Rieske presented the draft historic preservation work program
items to the Commission for comment. Commission member
comments included:
► Hire historic preservation staff when funds are available.
► Display preservation awards in the Michigan Historical
Center rotunda, preferably during Michigan Week.
► Coordinate educational activities with Preservation Week as
well.
No Commission action was taken on these comments.
Historic District Commission Minutes, November 1, 2004 Page 3
B. Minutes for Approval - October 4, 2004 - No action taken. Moved to
"pending".
C. Old Business
1. Update on HDC-3-02, 221 E. Hillsdale - Demolition by Neglect
and Work Without Permit.
Mr. Rieske provided a brief update. Visible progress has taken
place, but some work remains, including the removal of the
skylights.
2. Discussion of Local Historic Districts proposals (Arbaugh and
Mutual Buildings).
Mr. Rieske distributed a draft time line for the creation of the two
historic districts. He reported that the resolutions to establish the
Study Committee and to confirm the appointments of Ms. Toshach,
Mr. Mondro, Mr. Sebastian, and Mr. Karp are on the November 1
City Council agenda for approval. According to the time line, the
next Study Committee meeting is expected to take place on
December 6, 2004. The studies are projected to be completed by
the last week in April.
D. Committee Reports - None.
E. HDC Training - None.
9. PENDING ITEMS: FUTURE ACTION REQUIRED - None.
10. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS - None.
11. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESERVATION RECOGNITIONS- None.
12. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Next Regular Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 6, 2004, in the
PND Conference Room.
RIP LAN NING OFF]CEWistoric District Cmsn1HDC 20041HDC Minutes 20041HDC Minutes 041101.wpd
C, ..
Approved: January 3, 2005
To Clerk: January 4, 2005
SHPO: January 4, 2005
Meeting Minutes
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
5:30-7:00 p.m. Monday, December 6, 2004
Planning & Neighborhood Development Conference Room
316 North Capitol Avenue, Suite C3
CALL TO ORDER
Phil Mondro, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Members present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Others Present:
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Justin Draeger, Philip Mondro, Audrey Savage, Curtis
Sonnenberg, Mary Toshach
Todd Cordill (excused)
Bill Rieske, Principal Planner
Richard Karp, Christine Reed, Dale Goodrich, Allen
Tubbs
3. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Preview of Historic Preservation Program (HPP) loan requests - 734, 736,
& 738 West Ionia - for consideration at the January 3, 2005 meeting.
B. Updated Historic Districts Ordinance
3. HEARINGS (ADVERTISED) - None.
4. STAFF COMMENTS - Mr. Rieske distributed invitations to a December 14
holiday dinner for Planning Office board members and staff. HDC, Planning
Board, and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) members are all invited.
6. PRESENTATIONS - None.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Tubbs and Mr. Goodrich introduced their project for subsequent action. They
are requesting $6,000 per street -facing facade, and intend to seek federal tax
credits. They offered to set up a walk-through of the buildings for Commission
Minutes to Historic District Commission Meeting, December 6, 2004 Page 2
members and staff, and said they are open to suggestions regarding the
rehabilitation of the building.
8. BUSINESS SECTION
A. Committee Reports
Mr. Rieske reported that the Arbaugh & Mutual Building Historic District
Study met from 4:30 to 5:30 on December 8, 2004. Richard Karp, Phil
Mondro, and Mary Toshach were present, with Mr. Sebastian as an
excused absence.
B. Consideration of Arbaugh Building Historic District Study Committee
Preliminary Report.
Mr. Rieske reported that the HDSC voted unanimously (3-0) to approve
the Arbaugh Building Historic District Preliminary Report, with
modifications, pending final editing, and to recommend HDC approval of
the reports for distribution. The HDSC comments and suggestions were-
1 . More as -is photos of each facade are needed, including close-ups
of details (e.g. 3rd floor 3-bay windows). The Xerox photos are bad
copies, and photographic paper will likely be required.
2. A short bio is needed on each HDSC member, consisting of a small
paragraph for each.
3. Put the economic benefits (p. 10 of first draft) as an addendum.
4. Utilize the Local Historic District Study Report form cover, and
incorporate findings on that form.
5. Reference the Council resolutions which establish the committee
and confirm its members. No need to include the resolutions in the
report.
6. Include a map showing the lot lines and the building footprint.
Sanborn or survey maps are appropriate for this.
7. The description needs reworking, dropping or reformatting the
findings and statements of significance.
Ms. Toshach volunteered to rework the document. In Committee, it was
moved by Mr. Karp, seconded by Ms. Toshach, and CARRIED to approve
the Arbaugh Building Historic District Preliminary Report, with
modifications, pending final editing, and to recommend HDC approval of
the report for distribution.
Commission Action: It was moved by Mr. Sonnenberg, seconded by Mr.
Draeger, and CARRIED (5-0) to approve the Arbaugh Building Historic
District Preliminary Study Committee Report for distribution, pending final
editing.
C. Consideration of Mutual Building Historic District Study Committee
Preliminary Report.
Mr. Rieske reported that the HDSC voted unanimously (3-0) to
approve the Mutual Building Preliminary Report, with modifications,
Minutes to Historic District Commission Meeting, December 6, 2004 Page 3
pending final editing, and to recommend HDC approval of the
reports for distribution. He reported that Mr. Sebastian,
representing the Mutual Building project, was not present at the
HDSC meeting, and the HDSC took action on this item in the
interest of expediency, with the intention of involving Mr. Sebastian
during the editing process. The HDSC comments and suggestions
were:
1. The property description on Page 4 should be expanded to
include the mill stones.
2. Is the garage included, or will it be torn down? Verify with
nomination and check with the owner.
3. More photos are needed. More close-ups of building details
and millstones.
4. Under the list of resources, document each millstone and
the garage.
In Committee, it was moved by Mr. Mondro, seconded by Ms.
Toshach, and CARRIED (3-0) to approve the Mutual Building
Historic District Preliminary Report, with modifications, pending final
editing, and to recommend HDC approval of the report for
distribution.
Commission Action: It was moved by Mr. Draeger, seconded by
Mr. Sonnenberg, and CARRIED (5-0) to approve the Mutual
Building Historic District Preliminary Study Committee Report for
distribution, pending final editing.
D. Local Historic District request - Prudden Wheel Building, 725 E.
Saginaw Street.
Mr. Rieske reported that the HDSC reviewed the request by H Inc.,
regarding this building, recommended by consensus that a study
committee be established for the property, and to recommend that
the membership consist of the applicant, Mr. Mondro, and Ms.
Toshach.
Commission Action: It was moved by Mr. Sonnenberg, seconded
by Ms. Toshach, and CARRIED (5-0) to recommend that a study
committee be established for the property, and to recommend that
the membership consist of the applicant, Mr. Mondro, and Ms.
Toshach.
E. New Business
1. Historic Preservation Grant proposal - Black Child and Family
Institute (BCFI) renovation of Genesee Street School, 835 W.
Genesee.
Mr. Rieske reviewed the Rehabilitation Planning grant application
submitted on behalf of BCFI, by the City. BCFI would be supplying
the local match for the grant, and would be a subrecipient of the
Minutes to Historic District Commission Meeting, December 6, 2004 Page 4
grant if funded. The project is the development of plans and
specifications for the rehabilitation of Genesee Street School.
Commission action: It was moved by Ms. Toshach, seconded by
Mr. Sonnenberg, and CARRIED (5-0) to send a letter of
endorsement regarding the grant application to the SHPO, and to
suggest that a local historic district be considered for the building
as a commitment to the its future preservation.
F. Old Business
Update on 221 E. Hillsdale. Mr. Rieske provided a short update.
The renovation has progressed but is not yet completed. The
skylights which were installed in violation of the Certificate of
Appropriateness still remain.
G. HDC Training - None scheduled.
9. PENDING ITEMS: FUTURE ACTION REQUIRED
A. Minutes for Approval
2. October 4, 2004
3. November 1, 2004
10. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Sonnenberg noted that he would be absent from both the December 14
holiday dinner, and a walk-thru of the Ionia Street properties.
11. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESERVATION RECOGNITIONS
12. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Rieske, Recording Secretary
Next Regular Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Monday, January 3, 2005, in the
PND Conference Room.
FAPLANNING OFFICE1Historic District CrnWHDC 2004\HDC Minutes 2004\HDC Minutes 041206.wpd