Historic District Commission

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting Minutes February 8, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Mr. Michael Troutman, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Patrick Barnett Bruce Phillips Daniel Buscher Michael Troutman Jim Hopkins Kim Tuck Excused: Kaytee Faris, City Commission Liaison Staff Present: Marcel Stoetzel, Assistant City Attorney Glenn Perian, Senior Planner, Planning Dept. Leona Parrish, Admin. Assistant, Planning Dept. ADDITIONS / DELETIONS TO AGENDA: Add item under New Business; (B) House Bill #5232 & Senate Bill #720 and move item (B) Election of New Officers to become item (C). APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: MOTION MADE BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 14, 2015 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING, SECONDED BY MR. DANIEL BUSCHER. ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MINUTES APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: A) 84 E. Michigan Avenue – (Request from Ms. Melany Hagle, ATT Sr. Project Manager for a Notice to Proceed to Demolish Garage.) Mr. Patrick Sauerland, PE, Civil Engineer, exp US Services Inc., was present to speak on behalf of AT&T. Stated they are here requesting to demolish garage structure. Mr. Mike Troutman, Chairperson, asked if the structure was empty. Mr. Sauerland stated, yes it has some mechanicals to be removed that are not working. Mr. Bruce Phillips stated this structure was built in 1950’s and said there is a tunnel to this garage; Mr. Sauerland stated yes, the roof is bad and there is a tunnel that will be removed and filled. Mr. Sauerland stated he will be meeting with Mr. Don Wilkinson, City Building Inspector to look at the structure. 1 Mr. Mike Troutman asked what the plans for this property is if the structure is removed. Mr. Sauerland stated it will be a grass area. Mr. Patrick Barnett asked what would be done with the driveway & curb. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS TO APPROVE THE NOTICE TO PROCEED TO REMOVE GARAGE STRUCTURE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 84 E. MICHIGAN AVENUE, PURSUANT TO HOUSING CODE CHAPTER 1470.09(E) “REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS” THAT RETAINING THE RESOURCE WILL CAUSE UNDUE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND 1470.17 “PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC FEATURES” AND THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT; SECONDED BY MR. DANIEL BUSCHER. Discussion: None ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MOTION APPROVED B) House Bill #5232 & Senate Bill #720: (Michigan Resources in Jeopardy by State level Legislation.) Mr. Glenn Perian, Senior Planner, referred to the email sent to the Historic District Commission members from Ms. Christine Zuzga, Planning Manager. Stated the proposed House Bill #5232 & Senate Bill #720 will reduce the powers of the Local Historic Districts and would like to discuss as a group or individually to decide if we need to submit a letter of opposition. Mr. Jim Hopkins stated he felt it would be best if submitted as a group from the Historic District Commission for the City of Battle Creek. Mr. Bruce Phillips stated it would impact property values; is an historic event and that we do not need to back this bill as written. Stated that as a group they can request it to be revised. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS TO OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 5232 AND SENATE BILL 720; SECONDED BY MR. JIM HOPKINS. Discussion: Mr. Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney, recommended that a formal letter be prepared that is different than the example provided and have the Historic District Commission review and approve for submittal to the State legislators. Mr. Mike Troutman asked Mr. Stoetzel how they can take action before March 2016. Mr. Stoetzel asked when it was introduced to legislation. Mr. Perian stated January 26, 2016. Mr. Stoetzel referenced Article #5, Sec. #3; that HDC could hold a Special Meeting to approve a letter of opposition. 2  A Special Meeting was scheduled and agreed to be held on February 12, 2016 at 8:10 AM at City Hall. Mr. Perian would draft a letter of opposition for the commission to review and approve at the Special Meeting and then send it to the persons noted on email: Governor Snyder, Representative Afendoulis, Senator MacGregor and Representative Lee Chatfield. MOTION WITHDRAWN BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS C. Election of Officers: Election of Chairperson: Mr. Bruce Phillips nominated Mr. Mike Troutman to continue as chairperson; Mr. Troutman declined the nomination in order to allow other members the opportunity. MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MIKE TROUTMAN TO NOMINATE MR. JIM HOPKINS AS CHAIRPERSON; SECONDED BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS. ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MOTION APPROVED Election of Vice-Chairperson: MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. DAN BUSCHER TO NOMINATE MR. MIKE TROUTMAN AS VICE-CHAIRPERSON; SECONDED BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS. ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MOTION APPROVED PUBLIC COMMENTS: None COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Mr. Bruce Phillips noted we need to keep an eye on 78 North Avenue and 248 Capital Ave., N.E. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Michael Troutman, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4:28 P.M. Submitted by: Leona A. Parrish, Administrative Assistant, Planning Department 3