Historic District Commission

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting Minutes September 11, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Mr. Jim Hopkins, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Jim Hopkins John Paul Wilson Bruce Phillips Kim Tuck Kaytee Faris (City Commission Liaison) Excused: Daniel Buscher, and Mike Troutman Staff Present: Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney Eric Feldt, Planner Leona Parrish, Admin. Assistant, Planning Dept. ADDITIONS / DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: MOTION MADE BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE MAY 8, 2017 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING, SECONDED BY MR. DAN BUSCHER. ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MINUTES APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: A.) 99 Walter Avenue - Request from owner Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, Ms. Nancy Walker, Interim CEO for a Notice to Proceed to demolish house and detached garage. Ms. Walker was present to speak on behalf of NIBC and stated they had acquired this property in the year 2009 through foreclosure. Stated the Calhoun County Land Bank along with 25 other properties have a development agreement, which ended in January 2016 and never received funding for repairs. Ms. Walker noted this property has since deteriorated significantly and would be very costly to rehab. Said Mr. Dan Rippinger, Facility Director for Summit Pointe had inspected this property and noted it was his determination that the cost of this project would both exceed the value once completed and bring undue financial burden on any individual or organization to rehab. Ms. Walker stated they do not have the funding to rehab this property and have asked the Calhoun County Land Bank to assist with the demolition along with three other properties. 1 With no others wishing to speak, Chairperson Mr. Hopkins closed the public hearing and asked commissioners for a motion. MOTION MADE BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A NOTICE TO PROCEED TO DEMOLISH THE HOUSE AND GARAGE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: 99 WALTER AVENUE, AS THEY MEET THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 1470.09(e); SECONDED BY MR. KIM TUCK. Discussion: Commissioner Faris stated she recommends approval. Mr. Kim Tuck asked Ms. Walker if there was a repair estimate done. Ms. Walker stated no, that Mr. Dan Rippinger, Facility Director for Summit Pointe had inspected this property and noted it was his determination that the cost of this project would both exceed the value. Ms. Walker Noted document from Mr. Rippinger was included with their application for Notice to Proceed. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked if the garage was also to be demolished, as you cannot have a garage left on a vacant lot. Ms. Walker stated yes, it was to be demolished. VOTE ON MOTION: ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MOTION CARRIED. B.) 312 Capital Avenue, N.E. – Request of owner Mr. Charles Fulbright to cover existing concrete steps with wood. Mr. Charles Fulbright stated he had received an estimate of $1,700 dollars to remove and replace the existing concrete stairs and was here today to ask if he may cover existing concrete stairs with wood and paint black and white as shown in photo submitted. Stated it would match the new black wrought iron fence. MOTION MADE BY MR. KIM TUCK TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO REPAIR STAIRS AS PROPOSED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: 312 CAPITAL AVENUE, N.E., AS THEY MEET THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA OUTLINED IN THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR’S STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES AS OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 1470.09 AND CHAPTER 1470.17; SECONDED BY MR. BRUCE PHILLIPS. With no others wishing to speak, Chairperson Mr. Hopkins closed the public hearing. Discussion: Commission Faris stated she recommends approval. Mr. Jim Hopkins asked Mr. Fulbright about the roof. Mr. Fulbright stated the previous owner had done the roof in year 2014 and he planned to address it later. VOTE ON MOTION: ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 2 COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Commissioner Kaytee Faris asked staff if there were any updates, regarding the property at 68-72 Frelinghuysen Avenue has switched ownership and wanted to ensure staff are following-up on this property. Mr. Marcel Stoetzel stated Mr. Halldorson walked away from this property and the Calhoun County will soon foreclose and possibly hold a tax sale. Commission Faris stated she would follow-up with the County regarding this property. Staff asked if there are any persons that would like to be on the Historic District Commission to ask them to submit an application as Mr. Jaymes Pollard has declined being a member and we now have a vacant seat. Mr. Charles Fulbright stated he had filled-out an application and submitted it to be a member. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked if there were any city acknowledgement for persons taking care of their properties. It was noted that we have eight Neighborhood Planning Councils that nominate the Beautiful Battle Creek Award to two properties within each council once a month; one for residential and one for a business. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Jim Hopkins, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4:18 P.M. Submitted by: Leona A. Parrish, Administrative Assistant, Planning Department 3