Historic District Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for Monday, February 12, 2024 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Chairperson Simpson at 4:04 p.m. This meeting was held in-person. ATTENDANCE: A roll call was taken: Comm. Simpson, Present Comm. Drozdowski, Absent Comm. Davis, Present Comm. Sallee, Absent Comm. Thornton, Present Comm. Steinbrunner, Present Staff Present: Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, Travis Sullivan, Planning Administrator, CJ Sivak- Schwennesen, City Planner, Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of December 11, 2023 meeting minutes. MOTION MADE BY COMM. STEINBRUNNER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 12, 2023 AS SUBMITTED. SECONDED BY COMM. THORNTON. 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. H01-24 (55 Merwood Dr) Petition for a Certificate of Appropriateness, filed by Brett Mahaffey on behalf of Victoria Vink and Michael Vincent of 55 Merwood Dr., for the replacement of 22 windows on the home with matching double-hung windows. Parcel #5390-00-027-0. Staff Presentation: CJ Sivak-Schwennesen gave the staff report for H01-24. With the recommendation for staff approval of the replacement of 22 matching windows. Applicant Presentation: Brett Mahaffey of Renewal by Anderson was present to speak and answer questions by commissioners. 1  Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Simpson asked if the new windows were going to be double hung and the reason for going with two picture windows. Commissioner Steinbrunner asked the applicant for clarification of which windows were going to be pictured glass and if the windows were going to have the same grid pattern as the old windows. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER THORNTON TO APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS H01-24, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STEINBRUNNER. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. B. Chapter 1470 (Historic Preservation Ordinance) Amendments Staff Presentation: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report for the proposed amendment changes to Chapter 1470 Historic Preservation Ordinance. Staff recommends that HDC recommend to the City Commission approval of the proposed amendment changes as stated. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Simpson inquired to what triggered these changes. Commissioner Thornton discussed terms and the requirement of having and architect serving on the board. Commissioner Steinbrunner asked for clarification on if we are discussing specifically to term limits. Commissioner Thornton asked the Attorney if the changes are correct legally. Marcel Stoetzel responded to Commissioner Thornton’s question. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER STEINBRUNNER TO RECOMMEND THE AMENDMENT CHANGES OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT TO CHAPTER 1470 HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDIANCE TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DAVIS. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE APPOSED. MOTION APPROVED. C. Historic District Commission Bylaws Amendments Staff Presentation: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report for the Historic District Commission proposed Bylaws amendment changes. Staff recommends that HDC consider a two-step approach to adopt the stated changes; discussion of the proposed amendments to the adopted bylaws with action being taken at a future meeting. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Steinbrunner inquired about changes to the current agenda. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER THORNTON TO INTRODUCE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION BYLAWS AMENDMENT CHANGES WITH ACTION TAKEN AT A FUTURE MEETING, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DAVIS. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. MOTION APPROVED. 2 D. Economic and Technical Feasibility, Undue Financial Hardship, Economic Hardship and Economically Feasible Plans Staff Report: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report and explanation for the proposed changes. Staff recommends that the HDC entertain a discussion regarding the proposed feasibility and hardship policy. Discussion only, no action required. Commission Comments: Commissioner Simpson commented on the current practice and expressed the need for support for hardship cases. Commissioner Steinbrunner asked if the city has any scholarships to offer to people. Darcy Schmitt responded to questions and gave some information to how other areas are handling this type of issue. NO ACTION REQUIERD. INFORMATIONAL REPORT FOR THE BODY TO VIEW AND ADDRESS AT A LATER DATE. E. Historic District Commission Minor Class or Work Amendment Staff Report: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report outlining the proposed amendment changes for Minor Class of Work. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Simpson had questions and asked for clarification on processes. Early communication would be best in these cases. What department in the City is at the front end of these applicants? Any projects of this type waiting for approval right now and is there any reason why we should not consider the State Historic Preservation’s offices actions and opinions good enough for us? Also, recommends increased communication in the beginning of the application process. Commissioner Davis stressed concerns about how residents or Community Development does not know when a house is in a Historic District. There should something in place to make sure residents are aware they live in a Historic District. Not comfortable giving up the Board’s responsibly and oversight. Would like to see this type of work come before the HDC, does not want to give up their approval. RECESS TAKEN DUE TO AN OUTSIDE EMERGENCY Continued discussion between commission members and staff. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER STEINBRUNNER TO APPROVE THE MINOR CLASS OF WORK OF WORK AMENDMENT CHANGE WITH THE ATTACHMENT TO INCLUDE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE PROJECT IN THE BEGINNING STAGES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THORNTON. AMENDED MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER STEINBRUNNER TO INCLUDE THE CHANGES ON ITEM NUMBER 30, PAGE 101; REMOVE THE WORD “AND APPROVED”. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THORNTON. A roll vote was taken: THREE APPROVED, ONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. 3  F. 4th Quarter Administrative Report Staff Report: Travis Sullivan gave an overview of projects that were approved by administration during the 4th quarter. NO ACTION REQUIERD. INFORMATIONAL REPORT FOR THE BODY. G. Election of Officers MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER THORNTON TO APPROVE ROSS SIMPSON AS CHAIRPERSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DAVIS. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SIMPSON TO APPROVE KURT THORNTON AS CHAIRPERSON. COMMISSIONER THORNTON DECLINED THE MOTION. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE APPOSED. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER SIMPSON TO APPROVE KURT THORNTON AS VICE CHAIRPERSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STEINBRUNNER. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE APPOSED. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Staff Comments: Travis Sullivan thanked the Commission for their review of the items presented today. Commissioners: Commissioner Steinbrunner mentioned the ceiling in an adjacent room to reveal the stained glass and asked how to move forward with this project. Commissioner Davis would like to see work on publication/notification to educate Historic District homeowners. Commissioner Thornton thanked staff for their work in putting the presented reports together. Commissioner Simpson apologized for the delay he caused during the meeting and thanked the Board for trusting him as the Chairperson. Would like to see an architect on the Board as soon as possible. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Simpson adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m. Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant 4