Historic District Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for Monday, May 8, 2023 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Chairperson Newman at 4:00 p.m. This meeting was held in-person. ATTENDANCE: Comm. Newman asked that attendance be noted. A roll call was taken: Comm. Drozdowski, Present Comm. Newman, Present Comm. Simpson, Present Comm. Davis, Present Comm. Sallee, Absent Comm. Thornton, Present Comm. Steinbrunner, Present Staff Present: Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, Travis Sullivan, City Planner, Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of March 13, 2023 minutes. MOTION MADE BY COMM. DROZDOWSKI TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR MARCH 13, 2023 MEETING, SECONDED BY COMM. SIMPSON. A vote was taken and all those in favor to say “aye”: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. CORRESPONDENCE: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. H03-23 The petition, filed by Caitlynn Newman, of Anson Building, LLC, is for a Certificate of Appropriateness for property located at 119/121 W. Michigan Avenue for minor tuck-pointing and minor lighting changes to the exterior of the building, new windows are to be added along the vacant spaces on Carlyle Street and new storefront windows cut into the building on Carlyle Street. Commissioner Newman is the architect for this project and recused himself from discussion and voting. Application Presentation: Travis Sullivan presented the Staff Report for property located at 119/121 W. Michigan Avenue. The petition is for exterior renovations to the existing building featuring a new market space/deli on the first floor and new residential units in the upper levels. Staff recommends 1  approval as the proposed exterior renovations meet the standards outlined in Chapter 1470.09 “Review of Applications,” Chapter 1470.17 “Preservation of Historic Features” and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines. Applicant Presentation: Caitlyn Newman, was present to speak and answer Commissioner’s questions. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Commissioner Thornton had questions about the original tiles and is thrilled that Anson Building, LLC, is taking on the project at 119/121 W Michigan Avenue. Commissioner Simpson stated the renderings were beautiful and is excited about the project at 119/121 W Michigan Avenue and inquired about the start date. Commissioner Steinbrunner asked if the atrium was staying and how many floors it would encompass. COMMISSIONER SIMPSON ASKED FOR A MOTION. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER DROZDOWSKI FOR THE APPROVEL OF ITEM H03-23 AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THORNTON. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. B. URBAN LEAGUE WAY COMMEMORATIVE STREET DESIGNATION Application by Kyra Wallace was presented by Travis Sullivan, City Planner. Application requesting the designation of a section of United Way between Vanburen Street and Champion Street to “Urban League Way”. A requirement of the approval process is that the Historic District Commission review and comment on the request. There is no need for a vote of the Commission, only comments from Commissioners. Commissioner Comments: Various comments and questions from Commissioners as to how the street will be named and which blocks will be effected. Travis Sullivan explained the actual street name is not being changed. Darcy Schmitt stated a designation sign will be placed below the actual street same. C. HISTORIC DISTRICT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Travis Sullivan gave a Staff Report outlining The Planning and Zoning Department’s plan to roll out an awareness campaign to assist property owners who own homes in one of the City’s five (5) Historic Districts, and to help residents become more aware of what it means to live in a Historic District. Three draft informational brochures were shared with the Commission to view. These documents provide valuable information about where the Historic Districts are located, what property modifications require a Certificate of Appropriateness, how to apply for Certificate of Appropriateness, why it is important to require historic preservation and more. Commissioner Comments various comments from Commissioners included concerns about signage for the Historic Districts, funding for homeowners to help with repairs, publicizing in the paper as well as 2  mailings, lists of contractors for historic homes, and education for realtors who sell homes within a historic district. D. FIRST QUARTER ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL REPORT Travis Sullivan gave the Staff Report from the last quarter. Section 1470.10 of the City of Battle Creek Code of Ordinance requires that the Historic Commission review, on at least a quarterly basis, the Certificate of Appropriateness, if any, issued for work by the authorities delegated pursuant to Section 1470.10 to determine whether or not the delegated responsibly should be continued. Staff has provided an inventory of each Certificate of Appropriateness issued for a minor class as specified by resolution of the Commission adopted on April 18, 2019. Such certificates were issued during the first quarter of the year 2023. Commissioner Comments: None. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC: Zachary Thompson of Battle Creek, on behalf of applicant, Brent Rugg, requesting Historic District approval for 11 Crest Lane Blvd installation of panel mounted solar array panels. Application was not submitted prior to the application deadline. The applicant’s information was taken so staff can follow up to ensure the application meets the June meetings deadline. Introduction of Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Newman adjourned the meeting at 4:33 p.m. Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant 3