Historic District Commission

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting Minutes May 8, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Mr. Jim Hopkins, called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Jim Hopkins John Paul Wilson Bruce Phillips Kaytee Faris (City Commission Liaison) Excused: Daniel Buscher, Jaymes Pollard, Mike Troutman, and Kim Tuck Staff Present: Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney Christine Zuzga, Planning Manager Glenn Perian, Senior Planner Eric Feldt, Planner Leona Parrish, Admin. Assistant, Planning Dept. ADDITIONS / DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: Having no quorum, the minutes were reviewed by members present and found no issues; minutes will be resubmitted at the next meeting for approval. CORRESPONDENCE: New member Mr. Jaymes Pollard was appointed for the Historic District Commission and was approved by City Commission on April 11, 2017. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: A.) 118 Oaklawn Avenue - Request from owner Ms. Patricia Jomo for a Notice to Proceed to demolish detached garage damaged by fallen tree and ask to rebuild as original was within one- year. Mr. Eric Feldt, Planner, stated property owner filed the petition to remove the garage that was unfortunately damaged by natural causes during a recent storm event. Stated the applicant was made aware due to its location being in a Historic District there are specific protocols such as evaluating the project for Chapter 1470.09 Historic Preservation and the Local Michigan Historic District Act and Secretary of Interiors Guidelines. Mr. Feldt stated through the staff report presented, the staff had evaluated the applicable standards and found it had met those chapters he mentioned and no other findings were required to conclude. Ms. Patricia Jomo stated she was requesting to have the damaged garage removed, as it is a danger to her children every day. Mr. Bruce Phillips stated the board does not have any objections to allowing administrative approval that he could see. 1 Mr. Jim Hopkins stated he sees this as a reasonable hardship that the owner is requesting. Ms. Zuzga stated they would finish the approval of the demolition permit. Ms. Jomo thanked the commission. B.) 312 Capital Avenue, N.E. – Request of owner Mr. Charles Fulbright to install a 4 ft. Black Aluminum Concord fence. Mr. Eric Feldt stated the property owner filed a petition to install a new fence located in the N.E. corner of the property were the two streets intersect, Popular Street and Capital Avenue N.E.; to provide a safe and protected area for their children to play. Said much of the remaining yard property are very small and inadequate for a fenced in yard and the owner has been making other improvements to the interior of this property and had also submitted petitions in the past that have been approved by the Historic District Commission. Stated staff recommends approval of the fence as it meets Chapter 1470 Historic Preservation, and Secretary of Interior Standards and guidelines. Mr. Charles Fulbright stated he was in agreement with the staff report and had no further comments. Mr. Bruce Phillips stated the new fence would blend well with the neighborhood. Ms. Christine Zuzga asked the commission to provide permission to allow administrative approval and that the nature of this request can be dealt with internally. Mr. Jim Hopkins stated he did not see any objections with either of these two requests on today’s agenda, as they are both simple requests and is in agreement with the staff reports. With no others wishing to speak, Chairperson Mr. Hopkins closed the public hearing. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Commissioner Kaytee Faris noted that the property at 68-72 Frelinghuysen Avenue has switched ownership and wanted to ensure staff are following-up on this property. Ms. Zuzga stated staff is aware, and are keeping an eye on this property. Mr. Eric Feldt stated he spoke with Ms. Zuzga regarding 118 Oaklawn Avenue on today’s agenda and having an emergency demolition permit option be possibly allowed to be approved by staff; as there might be an immediate danger that a half demolished building can unintentionally attract nuisance. Stated waiting too long could be a problem and would like to explore options to possibly allow staff do a fact of finding to approve this type of request administratively, so there is no danger to property owners or others. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked if they are allowed as a commission to do email votes in the case of an emergency. Ms. Zuzga stated it is not allowed by the Bylaws at this time, also phone votes. 2 Ms. Kaytee Faris asked if this type of emergency staff approval would be only for natural disasters and not for owners who have neglected their properties. Mr. Feldt stated yes, staff would investigate the request. Mr. Feldt stated they would look at all the aspects of the request. Ms. Zuzga stated yes they would approve requests that are uninhabitable by disaster, not from neglect by property owners. Ms. Christine Zuzga introduced Mr. Eric Feldt new City Planner, who moved here from Alaska and was originally from Michigan. Stated he would be the new staff member representing the Historic District Commission. Mr. Jim Hopkins welcomed Mr. Feldt and stated he liked his dialogue and work done for the staff reports. Mr. Glenn Perian made the announcement the city had submitted an application to the National Historic Preservation certifying the city’s downtown as a National District. Stated it was done to streamline timeline and benefits by being a National District. Said he had in his office to view the packet that was to them. Mr. Perian also welcomed Mr. Eric Feldt to the Planning Department and that it has been a pleasure working with him thus far. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked if there was any undue or additional restrictions to owners of a National District. Mr. Perian stated it is only a National designation and does not deal with the Local District and would not change the status; they would get tax credits and streamline any applications. Ms. Zuzga stated the owners would become eligible for tax credits as being a National District and not have to be done as individual properties. Mr. Jim Hopkins stated regarding the Preserve America Program is something that is always in the back of his mind and if it is something, they might pursue he would like lend a hand for any administrative support needed and it would serve the city well. Commissioner Kaytee Faris stated this is Historic Preservation month and thanked the Historic District Commission members for taking care of the city’s historic places. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Jim Hopkins, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4:26 P.M. Submitted by: Leona A. Parrish, Administrative Assistant, Planning Department 3