Historic District Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for Monday, August 12, 2024 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Chairperson Simpson at 4:00 p.m. ATTENDANCE: Roll call was taken: Comm. Simpson, Present Comm. Drozdowski, Present Comm. Davis, Present Comm. Sallee, Absent Comm. Thornton, Absent Comm. Steinbrunner, Present Comm. Case, Present Staff Present: Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, CJ Sivak-Schwennesen, Planner, Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the July 8, 2024 meeting minutes. COMMISSIONER CASE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JULY 8, 2024 MEETING MINUTES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DROZDOWSKI. A ROLL VOTE WAS TAKEN. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. CORRESPONDENCE: None. OLD BUSINESS: A. H09-24 (29 Woodmer Lane) Petition, filed by Jeff Breedlove for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the property located at 29 Woodmer Lane for an addition to the pitch of the carport. The subject parcel is located within the Merritt’s Woods local historic district. Parcel #5390-00-022-0. Staff Presentation: CJ Sivak-Schwennesen gave the staff report for 29 Woodmer Lane. Applicant Presentation: Jeff Breedlove was not present to speak. Questions from Commissioners: None. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER CASE TO APPROVE ITEM H09-24, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DROZDOWSKI. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. 1 NEW BUSINESS: A. H10-24 (111 W Manchester Street) A petition for a Notice to Proceed, filed by Maria de los angeles Patino, for the demolition of a residential structure at 111 W Manchester Street that will comply with zoning and historic district commission requirements. The subject parcel is located within the Old Advent Town local historic district. Parcel #5020-00-111-0. Staff Presentation: CJ Sivak-Schwennesen gave the staff report for item H10-24, property located at 111 W Manchester Street. Applicant Presentation: Jessica Perez-Patino, daughter of Maria de los angeles Patino, address of 44 Avenue B, Springfield, Michigan, was present to speak for her mother due to a language barrier. Commissioner Question: Various questions and comments by Commissioners to include, the condition of the house, if the homeowner looked into grants to help with restoring the house, and if she intended to live in the house herself. The body would like to see the homeowner inquire into grants that may help with restoring the house before making a decision. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER STEINBRUNNER TO ADJOURN ITEM H10-24 UNTIL THE SEPTEMBER 9th HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING AFTER THE HOMEOWNER HAS HAD TIME TO INQUIRE INTO GRANTS FOR RESTORING THE HOUSE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DAVIS. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. B. H11-24 (51 N Wood Street) A petition for a Certificate of Appropriateness, filed by Daniel Peterson on behalf of Adventist Ministries, is for the replacement of a window at 51 N Wood Street. The subject parcel is located within the Old Advent Town local historic district. Parcel #5020-00-014-0. Staff Presentation: CJ Sivak-Schwennessen gave the staff report for H11-24. Applicant Presentation: Daniel Peterson was present to speak and answer questions from commissioners. Questions from Commissioners: Various questions and comments about why the window was remove, what material will be used with the replacement, and comments about the other windows in the house. Public Comment: Werlin Yormide of 219 Manchester Street, Battle Creek was present to speak. Linda Peterson of 207 Manchester Street, Battle Creek was present to speak. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER DROZDOWSKI TO APPROVE H11-24 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A WINDOW, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STIENBRUNNER. 2  A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. C. H12-24 (51 N Wood St) A petition for a Certificate of Appropriateness, filed by Daniel Peterson on behalf of Adventist Ministries, is for the reconstruction of a previously removed brow feature at 51 N Wood Street. The subject parcel is located within the Old Advent Town local historic district. Parcel #5020-00-014-0. Staff Presentation: CJ Sivak-Schwennessen gave the staff report for H12-24. Applicant Presentation: Daniel Peterson was present to speak and answer question from commissioner. Questions from Commissioners: Various questions and comments to include why to brow feature was removed and what the replacement will look like. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER CASE TO APPROVE H12-24 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A REMOVED WINDOW BROW FEATURE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STIENBRUNNER. A roll vote was taken: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, discussed holding a workshop and grant opportunities. Mark Stienbrunner inquired to the stain glass window in an adjacent room and opening up the ceiling to reveal the window. Jana Davis commented on holding a workshop. Mark Simpson made a comment about applicants and funding available for help with Historic District projects. Geri Drozdowski thanked the applicant and guest for coming to the meeting and their time. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Simpson adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m. Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant 3