Historic District Commission
Regular MeetingManistee, MI · April 5, 2018
Minutes
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Council Chambers, City Hall
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
MEETING MINUTES
April 5, 2018
A Meeting of the Manistee City Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 3:00 pm in
the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan.
Meeting was called to order at 3:08 pm by Chair Perschbacher.
New member Dick Albee was unable to attend the meeting due to a scheduled vacation. Catherine Zaring had
to resign due to medical reasons. There are two vacancies on the Commission.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Aaron Bennett, John Perschbacher, Mary Russell, Lee Trucks
Members Absent: Dick Albee (excused) Vacancy (2)
Others: Kendra Thompson (Kendra Thompson Architects), Mark Fedder (Museum Director)
Steve Harold (Museum Curator), Denise Blakeslee (Planning & Zoning Director) Tyler
Leppanen (DDA Director), and Lora Laurain (Recording Secretary)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Russell that the Agenda be approved as
prepared.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Trucks, seconded by Commissioner Bennett that the Minutes of the January 4, 2018
meeting be approved as prepared.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Bennett abstaining.
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018 Page 1
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Selection of Vice Chair – for remainder of 2018 term
The current chair was not reappointed by City Council. Under Section 2.2 of the By Laws; the vice-chair shall act
in the capacity of the chair in the absence of the chair or in the event of a vacancy in the office of chair; in which
case, the Commission shall select a successor to the office of vice-chair at the earliest practicable time.
John Perschbacher assumed the position of Chair for the remainder of the 2018 term at the April 5, 2018
meeting.
Chair Perschbacher asked for nominations for the Position of Vice-Chair.
Commissioner Trucks nominated Commissioner Russell for the position of Vice Chair. Russell respectfully
declined the nomination.
The Commission discussed waiting until a later meeting when more members were present to fill the position.
Under the By-Laws the position is to be filled at the next meeting.
Commissioner Russell nominated Commissioner Bennett for the position of interim Vice Chair until more
members were present to permanently fill the position.
Nominations were asked for three times. There being no further Nominations Commissioner Trucks moved that
the nominations be closed.
With a roll call vote, Commissioner Bennett was elected interim Vice - Chair of the Historic District Commission
until more members were present to select a Vice-Chair for the remainder of the 2018 term, 4 to 0.
OLD BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018 Page 2
CORRESPONDENCE
None
STAFF REPORTS
Denise Blakeslee, Planning & Zoning Director – Members received copies of the new Secretary of the Interior
Standards for Rehabilitation, The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
with Guidelines for Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings and new
Preservation Briefs. The commissioners’ books used for the meeting have been updated and they are asked to
update their copies at home so that the most current standards are being used moving forward.
Ms. Blakeslee has been working with Jessica Flores, Preservation Forward to schedule training for the
commissioners. Dates and times were discussed with the commissioners to schedule training that will include
updating guidelines and policies for the Commission. The training will be take place on April 24, 2018 at 5:00 pm.
NEW BUSINESS - Design Assistance – 346-348 River Street (The applicant was not present, this item was moved
down the agenda to allow the applicant to be present)
Kendra Thompson is the architect for the renovation of the building at 346-348 River Street. Ms. Thompson has
completed a request for Design Assistance to speak to the commission about the project. The owners will be
making application for Historic Tax Credits and the request will require review and approval from the State
Historic Preservation Office.
Ms. Thompson spoke of the various components for the project including:
Rehabilitation of existing structure to accommodate the Music Vault, including radio station office,
recording studios, a music performance venue to accommodate up to 99 people, and two dwelling units
to support the music activities.
Work will include exterior façade rehabilitation, construction of exterior decks/stairs on the riverside
and complete rehabilitation of the interior spaces.
This project intends to seek federal (and state) historic tax credits and will be working with the State
Historic Preservation Office in seeking necessary reviews and approvals.
The plans submitted today are not the final version, which should be completed by the end of April.
Following completion of the plans Ms. Thompson will make application to the State Historic
Preservation Office.
Ms. Thompson needs to bring back the final version of the plans to the Historic District Commission for
their review and recommendation.
MEMBERS DISCUSSION
Commissioner Russell inquired if there was any update regarding the Rozmarek properties.
Commissioner Trucks asked Tyler Leppanen about the façade grant policies update.
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018 Page 3
WORKSESSION:
None scheduled.
The Next meeting of the Historic District Commission will be on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 3:00 pm in the Council
Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Trucks, seconded by Commissioner Russell that the meeting be adjourned. Motion
passed unanimously.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:50 pm.
MANISTEE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
__________________________________________
Lora Laurain, Recording Secretary
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018 Page 4
Agenda
MANISTEE CITY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Meeting of Thursday, April 5, 2018
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 April 5, 2018 Agenda.
IV Approval of Minutes
At this time Historic District Commission can take action to approve the January 4, 2018 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
Design Assistance – 346-348 River Street
Kendra Thompson is the architect for the renovation of the building at 346-348 River Street. Ms.
Thompson has completed a request for Design Assistance to speak to the commission about the project.
The owners will be making application for Historic Tax Credits and the request will require review and
approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.
Selection of Vice Chair – for remainder of 2018 term
Under Section 2.2 of the By Laws; the vice-chair shall act in the capacity of the chair in the absence of the
chair or in the event of a vacancy in the office of chair; in which case, the Commission shall select a
successor to the office of vice-chair at the earliest practicable time.
At this time the Commission will elect a Vice Chair to serve for the remainder of the 2018 term.
VII Old Business
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.
1
X Reports
DDA Executive & Economic Development Director
Museum Curator
Museum Director
Planning & Zoning Director
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
To: Historic District Commissioners Planning & Zoning Director
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
FROM: Denise Blakeslee, Planning & Zoning Director 231.398.2805
dblakeslee@manisteemi.gov
DATE: March 22, 2018 www.manisteemi.gov
RE: April 5, 2018 Meeting
Commissioners, the next meeting of the Historic District Commission will be on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
We will be welcoming new members to the Commission Dick Albee, Catherine Zaring and Aaron Bennett
was reappointed. We still have one vacancy.
We have the following items on the agenda:
Design Assistance – 346-348 River Street - Kendra Thompson is the architect for the renovation of the
building at 346-348 River Street. Ms. Thompson has completed a request for Design Assistance to speak
to the commission about the project. The owners will be making application for Historic Tax Credits and
the request will require review and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.
Selection of Vice Chair – for remainder of 2018 term - Chair Kracht’s term was up and she was not
reappointed to the Commission. Under Section 2.2 of the By Laws; the vice-chair shall act in the
capacity of the chair in the absence of the chair or in the event of a vacancy in the office of chair; in
which case, the Commission shall select a successor to the office of vice-chair at the earliest practicable
time.
The Secretary of the Interior has updated the standards and is updating the preservation briefs.
Updates for your home copy will be available at the meeting. With the updates and addition of new
members we will be scheduling training for Commissioners the last week in April. Proposed Dates:
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Thursday, April 26, 2018
The time and date will be scheduled at the meeting. We are hoping to have 100% attendance so all
members will be informed about the changes and process.
At the April training we will discuss dates for another training in May to work on updating our guidelines
and policies also. So please bring your calendars with you.
I will be out of the office until April 3, 2018. If you are unable to attend the meeting please call me at
398.2805.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Council Chambers, City Hall
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
MEETING MINUTES
January 4, 2018
A Meeting of the Manistee City Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan.
Meeting was called to order at 3:07 p.m. by Chair Kracht.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: T. Eftaxiadis, Teena Kracht, John Perschbacher, Lee Trucks; and Mary Russell arrived at
3:57 pm.
Members Absent: Aaron Bennett (excused), Vacancy
Others: Shirley Trucks, Tyler Leppanen (DDA Director), Mark Fedder (Museum Director), Steve
Harold (Museum Curator), Denise Blakeslee (Planning & Zoning Director), Lora Laurain
(Recording Secretary)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Eftaxiadis, seconded by Commissioner Perschbacher that the Agenda be approved as
prepared.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Perschbacher, seconded by Commissioner Trucks that the Minutes of the December
7, 2017 Meeting be approved as prepared.
With a voice vote this motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
DDA Presentation
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes January 4, 2018 Page 1
Tyler Leppanen, DDA Director presented a plan prepared by MSU to develop a future vision for the River Street
Streetscape and the Riverwalk to the Commission. The plan looks at current design and land use as well as
concepts and ideas for future development. The plan includes areas within the Manistee Historic District as well
as areas outside of the Historic District. Discussion followed regarding signage, land use and future
development. Commissioners liked the proposed signage improvements. Commissioners were asked to put
their comments in writing to give to Tyler or post them on the DDA Facebook page.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioners received an invitation from the League of Women Voters to their upcoming event.
WORKSESSION
None.
The Next meeting of the Historic District Commission will be on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Perschbacher, seconded by Commissioner Russell that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion passed unanimously.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:24 P.M.
MANISTEE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
__________________________________________
Lora Laurain, Recording Secretary
City of Manistee Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes January 4, 2018 Page 2
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