Historic District Commission
Regular MeetingManistee, MI · July 7, 2021
Minutes
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
MEETING MINUTES
July 7, 2021
A meeting of the 2021 Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at
4:00 pm, Manistee, Michigan.
The meeting was called to order at 4:01 by Chair Trucks.
Members Present: Shelly Memberto, William Connor, Ron Helmboldt, Dennis Otto, Thad
Taylor, and Lee Trucks
Members Absent: Nick Hawkins
Others: Zach Sompels (City Zoning /Planner 1), and Nancy Baker (Recording
Secretary)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Connor to approve the agenda as
printed. Motion passed with a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Otto, seconded by Commissioner Helmboldt to approve the June 29,
2021 Special Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion passed with a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Jeff Gordon, 411 River
Mr. Sompels stated Mr. Gordon has received COA’s in the past with multiple extensions.
Mr. Gordon comments:
• Returning façade to original window/door sizing and look
• Corbels were made to match old existing style
• Reconstructing the framework
• Replaced upper arch windows and rebuilt ledge
• Timeframe: framing to be completed by Summer 2021, entrance by Spring 2022
Ms. Memberto entered the room at 4:09 pm.
City of Manstee 2020 Historic District Commision
July 7, 2021 Page 1
HDC comments for 411 River:
COA’s are good for a year
Mr. Gordon’s project has been ongoing for 15 years
Mr. Gordon’s COA has not been completed in 15 years
Inside is not part of COA
Applicant informed the HDC, year before Covid, this project would be complete
Blight has been issued for the building
Contact will be made to the city attorney to be sure if COA is issued there will be no conflict
with the blight
MOTION by Commissioner Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Helmboldt to table this until the
next meeting pending the response from the city attorney/city police regarding the blight and
reviews.
Commissioner Taylor amended his motion.
MOTION by Commissioner Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Helmboldt to table this until the
next meeting, or until a special meeting needs to occur after a court decision is made.
Mr. Fedder stated the museum has been working with Mr. Gordon since the beginning of the
project. Some of the project has been accomplished. When completed it will be one of the best-
preserved store fronts on River Street. The issue is the time frame of completing the project.
Many complaints have come in regarding this unfinished project.
Chair Trucks stated the HDC does not, and has not, objected to the plan but rather the long
length of time the project has taken and is still not completed.
Motion was reread.
Motion passed with a voice vote.
Jeff Gordon, 347/349 River
Mr. Gordon reviewed the project’s details that have been completed to this point. Everything
on the store fronts will match the original look. The current working process is to start at the
top of the buildings and work his way down the building. Building permits for the inside work
are through the State and will be inspected by the State.
Mr. Sompels will contact the city building inspector to confirm the State is doing the
inspections.
Mr. Gordon confirmed his buildings are in blight.
Chair Trucks stated the previous HDC, 411 River, comments apply to this project.
City of Manstee 2020 Historic District Commision
July 7, 2021 Page 2
MOTION by Commissioner Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Connor, the 411 River Street
motion be the same for 347/349 River Street, to table this until the next meeting, or until a
special meeting needs to occur after a court decision is made.
Motion passed with a voice vote.
OLD BUSINESS
None
Permit Review
Mr. Sompels stated the system still will not enable him to get into the program to generate the
permit information into a list.
COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
REPORTS
DDA Executive & Economic Development
No one in attendance to submit a report.
Museum Curator/Director
None
Planning & Zoning Administrator
Mr. Sompels welcomed Mr. Taylor to the HDC. He supplied HDC Guideline tools for all the members, as
a reference, for any possible future items.
MEMBERS DISCUSSION
Commissioner Connor inquired on what would occur if the COA is not approved for the River
Street situation or any future situations that may occur with this type of issue. It is understood
the HDC does not have the authority to deny a COA application if it meets HDC application
requirements. He inquired if the blight process requires a project to be completed by a certain
timeframe.
Mr. Sompels stated tabling the River Street situations is fair however, if an application is
completed the HDC may not have an option except to approve the COA. Work cannot
commence on a project until the proper permits have been issued. The HDC will be contacted
once the city attorney informs the department of the outcome for the River Street COA’s. HDC
has authority for the façade of buildings within the Historic District and any buildings outlined
on the Historic Register.
Commissioner Memberto would like to see the project move forward and not be stalled.
City of Manstee 2020 Historic District Commision
July 7, 2021 Page 3
Mr. Sompels stated Mr. Mathenson has been contacted regarding the outcome of the meeting
regarding the window situation at 435 River.
Discussion ensued with the following comments.
Per Lisa Rozmarek Historic Consultant, a violation on a building can be attached to the
building by the present owner or any new owners.
A COA must be in place to receive a building permit.
A violation can be connected to a building with a new owner having to address the violation
issues before any new improvements/changes can be done on a building
The ability for HDC to avoid any future issues, such as the situations currently at hand
The length a project can go on before being required to be completed and the HDC having
the authority to move a project forward within a timeframe
Language that allows the HDC to state a citation goes with a building/property and the
possible fining for such situations
Concerns were raised with possible new buyers being deterred due to a nearby building
having COA or blight issues
Impact on residents/visitors looking at the buildings in the blight/unfinished condition
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Connor, seconded by Commissioner Memberto to adjourn the
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:54 pm.
_______________________________
Nancy Baker, Recording Secretary
City of Manstee 2020 Historic District Commision
July 7, 2021 Page 4
Agenda
MANISTEE CITY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Meeting of Wednesday, July 7th, 2021
This meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers.
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 July 7, 2021, Agenda.
IV Approval of Minutes
At this time Historic District Commission can take action to approve the June 29, 2021, 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
• Jeff Gordon 411 River St
• Jeff Gordon 347/349 River St
VII Old Business
Permit Review
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
X Reports
DDA Executive & Economic Development Director
Museum Curator
Museum Director
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 Adjournment
1
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMITTEE
70 Maple Street
Manistee, MI 49660
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
June 29, 2021
A Special Meeting of the 2021 Historic District Committee was held on Tuesday, June 29, 2021
at 4:00 pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan.
The meeting was called to order at 4:24 by Dennis Otto.
Members Present: Dennis Otto, Ron Helmboldt, Shelly Memberto, Nickolas Hawkins, and
Lee Trucks
Members Absent: William Connor
Others: Zach Sompels (City Zoning), and Nancy Baker (Recording Secretary)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Otto, seconded by Commissioner Memberto to approve the agenda
as printed.
With a voice vote motion passed 4 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Otto, seconded by Commissioner Hawkins to approve the May 12,
2021 Special Meeting minutes.
With a voice vote motion passed 4 to 0.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS
None
NEW BUSINESS
DDA Social District Signage
Mr. Sompels stated the City of Manistee Downtown Development Authority (DDA) requested
placing banners and signage through parts of River Street and Maple/Washington Street for the
newly approved Social District in the City.
Ms. Kristina Bajtka, Director of Communications and Investor Relation, Chamber of Commerce,
requested approval of the submitted banner and sidewalk signs for the new City of Manistee
City of Manstee 2019 Historic District Committee
June 29, 2021 Page 1
Social District. The district will go from Division Street to Pine Street, a portion of Washington
Street and a section of the Riverwalk.
Mr. Trucks entered the meeting at 4:29 pm.
Ms. Bajtka gave the following information: state and local laws will apply, special beverage
containers will be used and rules will apply, some downtown restaurants have applied to allow
them to participate, entering/existing district signage locations, banner signs are 13 m vinyl and
will be same size as present banners, enforcement will be done by the City Police, applied for 3-
5 year permit with the liquor commission, a section of Riverwalk will have signage, disposable
containers will be supplied at the entering/existing locations.
MOTION by Commissioner Helmboldt, seconded by Commissioner Trucks to approve all
signage, banners, and sidewalk signs for the DDA Social District.
Roll call vote was taken: Yes; Hawkins, Helmboldt, Trucks, Memberto, Otto
No; none
Motion passed 5 to 0.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Sompels stated a permit updated listing, which was requested from the HDC, is being
worked on. The list will be completed once the program has been fixed to allow for printing of
this list.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Ms. Kristina Bajtka thanked the HDC for their support and will keep all communications open
for future projects.
REPORTS
DDA Executive & Economic Development Director: Ms. Bajtka—Chamber has taken over the
DDA role; Mr. Miller concentrates on development and she handles most DDA point role, tracks
the budget and monitors downtown items; ice cream shop looking to open in August; the
“Princess” boat is new and offers cruises for downtown Manistee patrons; the Vogue is open;
restaurants and merchants are understaffed; looking to add the placement of food trucks;
flower beds must follow the set standards; Riverwalk benches have been redone, placing
benches on River Street are being looked into; have a 1.5 million bond with 1.2 of it being spent
on the downtown and Riverwalk and the pedestrian road crossing issue.
Museum Curator: no report
Museum Director: Mr. Fedder had no report.
Planning & Zoning Administrator: Mr. Sompels—no contact has been received from Joe
Mathison with no noticeable building work, violation matters can move forward if desired, the
building situation dates back to August 2020 for him to follow HDC standards; Jeff Gordon
requested being placed on the next HDC meeting, the city took him to court with the Circuit
Judge pushed the court date back for an in person meeting, Mr. Gordon will be required to
City of Manstee 2019 Historic District Committee
June 29, 2021 Page 2
reapply to the HDC with new plans; signed the new ice cream business registration for River
Street Sweets.
MEMBERS DISCUSSION
Mr. Trucks stated Lisa Rosmarek will be in town visiting family. Contact with her will be
attempted for possible insight and assistance on historic issues.
Mr. Otto inquired on having murals placed in the downtown district. He stated Cincinnati has
them and these have greatly improved the looks of the area. Mr. Trucks stated Denver has the
same and they do a great deal of improvement to the city. Ms. Bajtka stated the Chamber has
been looking into grants for murals to be placed on downtown buildings. With the aging of the
buildings brick -vinyl murals may be a possible use. Discussion further ensued and possibly
amending the By-laws to allow for more choices on placing murals on buildings. Professional
artists would be used. No commercial murals will be allowed.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Memberto, seconded by Commissioner Helmboldt to adjourn the
meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 pm
2021 Historic District Committee
_______________________________
Nancy Baker, Recording Secretary
City of Manstee 2019 Historic District Committee
June 29, 2021 Page 3
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