Historic District Commission
Regular MeetingManistee, MI · June 1, 2017
Minutes
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Council Chambers, City Hall
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
MEETING MINUTES
June 1, 2017
A Meeting of the Manistee City Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan.
Meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m. by Chair Kracht.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: T. Eftaxiadis, Teena Kracht, Brandon David, John Perschbacher, Mary Russell, Lee Trucks
Members Absent: Aaron Bennett (excused)
Others: Tom Amor Jr. (Amor Sign Studios), Al Frye (The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts),
Steve Harold (Museum Curator) and Denise Blakeslee (Planning & Zoning Administrator)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Brandon David that the Agenda be approved as prepared.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Brandon David that the Minutes of the May 4, 2017 Meeting be
approved as prepared
With a voice vote this motion passed 5 to 0 with Lee Trucks Abstaining
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS
None
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes June 1, 2017 Page 1
NEW BUSINESS:
None
OLD BUSINESS
By-Law Amendments
Staff drafted amendments to the Historic District Commission By-Laws and Rules of Procedures for
consideration by the commissioners. The By-Laws were discussed at the worksession held earlier and the
Commissioners took the following action:
MOTION by Lee Trucks, seconded by Mary Russell that the Historic District Commission amend their By Laws as
follows:
AMEND Section 1 Authority by citing Chapter 1290 Historic District;
NEW language for Item 3.1 Meeting Notice and 3.3 Special Meetings;
DELETED Item 3.5 Public Hearings (renumbered list);
ADDED the Order of the agenda to item 3.7 Order of Business;
ADDED language that items for consideration must be received at least 10 days prior to the meeting to
item 3.9 Agenda Items;
DELETED Section 5 Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Provisions (renumbered list);
ADDED to Section 6 “Amendments that Amendments are subject to approval by City Council”
With a roll call vote this motion passed 6 to 0.
Yes: Russell, Eftaxiadis, Trucks, Perschbacher, David, Kracht
No: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Tom Amor Jr. (Amor Sign Studios) and Al Frye (The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts) spoke to the
Commission about the lighting for new signage that was installed. The light bar was placed above the sign not at
the bottom because of issues with providing electricity. The sign is located on the north side of the building
where the stairway to the ballroom is located. To avoid any damage to the stairway the light bar was moved
above the sign where electricity is provided from the balcony area. Several Commissioners have reviewed the
lighting and Chair Kracht spoke of how she was blinded by the light when she was reviewing the lighting. Some
members of the Commission will review the light this evening with Mr. Frye. Staff will contact the Director of
Public Safety to see if he or one of his officers can also review the lighting.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes June 1, 2017 Page 2
STAFF REPORTS
Denise Blakeslee, Planning & Zoning Administrator asked the Commissioners if they wanted to wait until the July
Meeting to review the policies. With consensus from the Commission it will be placed on the July agenda.
MEMBERS DISCUSSION
Commissioner Perschbacher told the Commissioners he was going to resign from the Commission.
Commissioners Truck, Eftaxiadis and Chair Kracht asked him to reconsider. He said he will decide next Monday.
The Next meeting of the Historic District Commission will be on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Lee Trucks, seconded by Brandon David that the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed
unanimously.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:45 P.M.
MANISTEE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
__________________________________________
Denise J. Blakeslee, Recording Secretary
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes June 1, 2017 Page 3
Agenda
MANISTEE CITY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Meeting of Thursday, June 1, 2017
3:00 p.m. - Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street,
Manistee, Michigan
AGENDA
I Call to Order
II Roll Call
III Approval of Agenda
At this time the Historic District Commission can take action to approve the June 1, 2017 Agenda.
IV Approval of Minutes
At this time Historic District Commission can take action to approve the May 4, 2017 meeting Minutes.
V Public Comment on Agenda Related items
At this time the Chair will ask if there are any public comments.
VI New Business
VII Old Business
By-Law Amendments
Staff drafted amendments to the Historic District Commission By-Laws and Rules of Procedures for
consideration by the commissioners.
At this time the Historic District Commission could take action to amend their By-Laws and Rules of
Procedures.
Permit Review
At this time the Commission may take action to close out any outstanding permits.
VIII Public Comments and Communications concerning Items not on the Agenda
At this time the Chair will ask if there are any public comments.
IX Correspondence
At this time the Chair will ask if any correspondence has been received to be read into the record.
X Reports
DDA Executive & Economic Development Director
Museum Curator
Museum Director
1
Planning & Zoning Administrator
XI Members Discussion
At this time the Chair will ask members of the Historic District Commission if they have any items they
want to discuss.
XII Worksession
XIII Adjournment
2
Memorandum Denise Blakeslee
Planning & Zoning
To: Historic District Commissioners
Administrator
70 Maple Street
FROM: Denise Blakeslee, Planning & Zoning Administrator Manistee, MI 49660
231.398.2805
DATE: May 23, 2017 dblakeslee@manisteemi.gov
www.manisteemi.gov
RE: June 1, 2017 Meeting
Commissioners, we have the following item for the June 1, 2017 Historic District Commission meeting:
OLD BUSINESS
By-Law Amendments. Staff has drafted amendments to the Historic District Commission By-Laws
and Rules of Procedures for consideration at the April 6, 2017 meeting. The Commission tabled
discussion on By-Laws and Rules of Procedures amendments at the May meeting.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, please call me at 398.2805. See you next Thursday.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Council Chambers, City Hall
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
MEETING MINUTES
May 4, 2017
A Meeting of the Manistee City Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan.
Meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Chair Kracht.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Aaron Bennett, Teena Kracht, Brandon David, Mary Russell
Members Absent: T. Eftaxiadis (excused), John Perschbacher (excused), Lee Trucks (excused)
Others: Chuck Haemker (Manistee County Library – 95 Maple Street), Dorothy Hayward (340
River Street), Tyler Leppanen (DDA Director), Mark Fedder (Museum Director) Steve
Harold (Museum Curator) and Denise Blakeslee (Planning & Zoning Administrator) and
others
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Aaron Bennett that the Agenda be approved as prepared.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION by Aaron Bennett, seconded by Mary Russell that the Minutes of the April 6, 2017 Meeting be
approved with changes:
Correct typos on page 2; Add “or another vendor to second bullet point on top of page 3; correct typo on page
3; Remove Commissioner David as voting in favor of motion for By-Law Amendments because he was not
present at the meeting.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 1
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS
Tyler Leppanen, DDA Director – the DDA is in full support of all the applications and none are applying for tax
credits; spoke of the need for trust and strength in the local economy, two requests need approval for
submission for a façade grants, deadline is tomorrow; he has reviewed the standards and noted they allow for
flexibility by the commission; the subcommittee offered two options.
NEW BUSINESS:
HDC-2017-14 – Tracey Lindeman, 308 River Street – rear deck
A request has been received from Tracey Lindeman, 308 River Street for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the
installation of a covered wooden deck on the rear of the building as submitted with application HDC-2017-14.
Application was deemed complete by the Commission.
Mr. Lindeman was not present and Ms. Blakeslee spoke to the commission about the request on behalf of the
applicant. Mr. Lindeman may shorten the length of the deck to match the proposed covered roof and may wait
to install the roof at a later date depending on financing.
Motion by Mary Russell, seconded by Brandon David that the Historic District Commission approve the request
from Tracey Lindeman, 308 River Street for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a covered
wooden deck on the rear of the building as submitted with application HDC-2017-14.
Steve Harold noted that the proposed roof is corrugated metal and that the roof on the building is hot tar.
With a roll call vote this motion passed 5 to 0.
Yes: Bennett, David, Russell, Kracht
No: None
HDC-2017-15 – Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street – rear entrance
A request has been received from Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street to reconstruct the rear entrance of
their building as submitted with application HDC-2017-15. Application was deemed complete by the
Commission.
Chuck Haemker, Executive Director of Manistee County Library spoke to the commission about the request and
answered questions.
MOTION by Aaron Bennett, seconded by Mary Russell that the Historic District Commission approve the request
from Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street for a Certificate of Appropriateness to reconstruct the rear
entrance of their building as submitted with application HDC-2017-15.
With a roll call vote this motion passed 4 to 0.
Yes: Bennett, David, Russell, Kracht
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 2
No: None
HDC-2017-16 – Dorothy Hayward, 340 River Street – rear windows and door replacement
A request has been received from Dorothy Hayward, 340 River Street for rear windows and door replacement as
submitted with application HDC-2017-16. Application was deemed complete by the Commission.
Ms. Hayward spoke to the Commissioners about the request and stated that she was able to find a supplier for
wooden replacement windows instead of the vinyl windows that were submitted with the application. Mark
Fedder reviewed the windows and there were no distinguishing characteristics. She answered questions about
the photos that were submitted.
Mark Fedder reported that he had looked at the windows and deferred the request to the commission. He does
not believe the windows are historic to the building.
Ms. Hayward would like to go with a Pella door that is the same series as the windows so that she does not need
to alter the size of the transom window above the door.
Chair Kracht said that requests are to include specification sheets for proposed products.
Ms. Hayward wanted time to download the specifications of the windows that she received from her contractor.
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Aaron Bennett to table the request to allow the applicant time to
download the specifications.
With a roll call vote this motion passed 4 to 0.
Yes: Bennett, David, Russell, Kracht
No: None
OLD BUSINESS
HDC-2017-10 – Gary & Cathy Miller, 389 River Street – window replacement
A request was received from Gary & Cathy Miller, 389 River Street for a Certificate of Appropriateness for
replacement of upper windows and to repair block windows above front entrance at the April 6, 2017 meeting.
The Commission tabled action on the replacement of the upper story windows until an inspection is done by the
subcommittee and reported back to the commission at the May 4, 2017 meeting. The subcommittee inspected
the windows on April 20, 2017. After inspection the subcommittee reconvened at City Hall and drafted a report
for the commission for the May 4, 2017 meeting.
Chair Kracht presented her report on the condition of the windows as follows:
1. The wood is sound.
2. The sills are sound.
3. The joints are tight with two exceptions: The lower joint of the upper sashes on two windows show of
slight separation of the mortise joint with no recent movement indicated by paint condition and no
apparent compromise of functionality.
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 3
4. The windows are painted shut.
5. There is no weather stripping.
6. There are no broken or cracked panes
7. The weight cords are all severed.
Commissioner Perschbacher was unable to attend the meeting and sent in a letter that Chair Kracht read into
the record (attached).
Commissioner Kracht read the meeting notes from the subcommittee meeting that included the report of
findings which read:
Report of Findings 389 River Street upper story windows:
The applicant is provided two options:
Option 1 – The applicant repair the original windows with the option of installing energy efficient glass during
the repair process and if desired install new storm windows.
Option 2 – The applicant is allowed to install energy efficient replacement windows as shown to the sub-
committee with the condition that the original windows, including any trim pieces, weights and pulleys (if
removed) be preserved, labeled and stored on site to allow a future owner the option to repair and replace,
similar to the requirement that was placed on the original entrance doors at the Vogue Theater.
Chair Kracht read a portion of the City of Manistee Historic District Commission Guidelines #4 Windows relating
to replacement windows.
MOTION by Aaron Bennett, seconded by Brandon David that the Historic District Commission denies the request
from Gary & Cathy Miller, 389 River Street for a Certificate of Appropriateness for replacement of upper
windows as submitted with application HDC-2017-10.
With a roll call vote this motion failed 2 to 2.
Yes: Bennett, Kracht
No: Russell, David
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Aaron Bennett that the applicant is allowed to install energy efficient
replacement windows as shown to the sub-committee with the condition that the original windows, including
any trim pieces, weights and pulleys (if removed) be preserved, labeled and stored on site to allow a future
owner the option to repair and replace, similar to the requirement that was placed on the original entrance
doors at the Vogue Theater.
With a roll call vote this motion passed 4 to 0.
Yes: Bennett, Russell, David Kracht
No: None
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 4
HDC-2017-16 – Dorothy Hayward, 340 River Street – rear windows and door replacement
The request from Dorothy Hayward, 340 River Street was tabled earlier to allow her time to download the
window and door specifications. Ms. Hayward provided specifications to the commission for windows, due to a
printing issued they did not print out everything but they are the same design as the same Pella windows series
proposed by Gary and Cathy Miller for their windows she was unable to download the door specifications.
It was noted that in the past the Commission has approved requests by deferring final approval to the Museum
Director for items such as doors and windows.
MOTION by Aaron Bennett, seconded by Mary Russell that the Historic District Commission approves the
request from Dorothy Hayward, 340 River Street for rear windows and door replacement using Pella Architect
Series window and doors with review and approval of the door by the Museum Director.
With a roll call vote this motion passed 4 to 0.
Yes: Russell, Bennett, David, Kracht
No: None
By-Law Amendments
Due to the late hour the commission will discuss the By-Law Amendments at the June Meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Xavier Verna, Executive Director Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts – Mr. Verna came to the commission to
discuss the lighting that was installed for their new sign. On March 2, 2017 the commission issued a permit to
the Ramsdell Theater for the installation of a new sign and lighting. The application showed that the LED Wall
Wash Lighting (Grazer) unit was to be installed under the dimensional letters (in the brick channel of the sign
area, so it could not be seen from the street). Using low profile black aluminum housing as stated and indicated
on the application.
On Monday Xavier called the City because the sign company installed a light bar that protrudes from the
building with five supports for the installation of a light bar. Staff recommended that they come back to the
commission to discuss the change in lighting.
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Aaron Bennett that the Historic District Commission denies the change in
lighting for the signage at the Ramsdell Theater, 101 Maple Street that was part of application HDC-2017-03.
With a roll call vote this motion passed 4 to 0.
Yes: Russell, Bennett, David, Kracht
No: None
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 5
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
Tyler Leppanen, DDA Executive & Economic Development Director – thanked the commission for upholding the
options from the subcommittee
Denise Blakeslee, Planning & Zoning Administrator - reported that Mark Fedder, Museum Director had issued a
permit to Edgewater for a change in paint colors – Issued Permit PHDC17-013
MEMBERS DISCUSSION
Commissioner Bennett spoke of the temporary signage that is being used by Love Inc. at 401 River Street,
consensus from the commission is that a letter be drafted and sent.
Chair Kracht reported that Commissioner Perschbacher wants a worksession scheduled to discuss duties of the
sub- committee and the commission; By-Laws; training; who should be allowed to fill out applications;
standards; and the role of the DDA.
The Commissioners discussed dates for the proposed worksession and decided to schedule it at 1:00 pm on
Thursday, June 1, 2017 before the regularly scheduled meeting.
The Next meeting of the Historic District Commission will be on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mary Russell, seconded by Aaron Bennett that the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed
unanimously.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:50 P.M.
MANISTEE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
__________________________________________
Denise J. Blakeslee, Recording Secretary
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 6
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 7
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 8
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 9
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2017 Page 10
Get email alerts for Manistee
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.