City of Kalamazoo - September 2, 2026 Historic District Commission

Updated about 5 hours ago

The Commission considers the approval of window replacements for historic homes, specifically dealing with the appropriateness of using composite materials versus wood. The meeting also covers the demolition of a garage deemed non-essential to a property's historic character. The commission navigates the complexities of maintaining historic integrity while considering modern requirements.

Chapters

Welcome and Preliminary Announcements (00:00:02)
The meeting began with a welcome and preliminary announcements about potential scam invoices received by attendees, assuring them these invoices are spam and should be ignored.

The meeting clerk welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their patience. It was announced that if attendees received any invoices that seemed unusually high, these were likely scam invoices and should be ignored. The clerk clarified that the historic district commission does not charge high fees for attending the meeting and assured attendees that they should reach out if they received any such invoice.
Call to Order and Roll Call (00:00:49)
The historic district commission meeting was officially called to order, and a roll call was conducted.

The historic district commission meeting for Wednesday was called to order. A roll call was conducted with a motion to excuse an absence.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:55)
The agenda was reviewed and approved with a noted keystroke error correction. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

The commission reviewed the formal agenda for any changes. A keystroke error was noted and corrected. Following this, a motion was made to adopt the agenda with the changes, which was seconded and approved unanimously by all present members.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting (00:02:31)
Minutes from the last meeting in July were reviewed with a noted typo. A motion to approve was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.

The minutes from the last meeting in July were reviewed. A typo was noted on page two regarding the voting count. A motion was made by Nelson to approve the minutes with the correction, which was seconded and passed with all members in favor.
Reading of the Disclaimer (00:03:22)
Reading of the disclaimer regarding the responsibilities and powers of the Historic District Commission and the availability of related documents.

A disclaimer is read stating that the Historic District Commission is charged with regulating work on historic resources. The disclaimer included information on the commission's responsibilities and the documents available to aid property owners. These documents can be found in the Community Planning and Economic Development Department and on the city's website.
Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items) (00:05:15)
The floor was opened for public comments on non-agenda items, but no one stepped forward to speak.

The meeting chair opened the floor for public comments on items not included in the agenda. Attendees were invited to step forward to the podium if they had any comments. However, no one came forward to speak.
Application Reviews (00:05:32)
The commission reviewed applications for replacement windows, discussing materials and guidelines. A postponement was requested for further consideration.

The commission reviewed an application for replacing windows on a historic property. The applicant discussed the state of the current windows and proposed replacements. Concerns were raised about using vinyl windows, which do not meet local guidelines. Alternatives such as wood or composite materials were discussed. The applicant was advised to explore other options and return with more information. A motion was made to postpone the decision until the next meeting, which was seconded and approved.
Second Application Review (00:26:00)
A second application for window replacement was reviewed, discussing material choices and guidelines. The commission provided feedback on acceptable materials.

The commission reviewed a second application regarding window replacements. The applicant presented the case for replacing four windows due to extensive damage. The commission discussed the materials proposed for the replacements, including FX composite material, and provided guidance on acceptable materials. The applicant was advised to use wood for certain replacements and was shown a sample of the proposed composite material.
Discussion on Window Replacements (00:32:36)
The board discussed the request to replace windows in a historic house, weighing standards against practicality.

The board engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the request to replace four windows in a historic property, debating the use of modern materials versus maintaining historical accuracy. Several members expressed concerns about adhering to standards, while others emphasized the need to ensure the property is habitable and safe for the occupants. The discussion included various perspectives on the impact of replacing windows on the historical integrity of the property and whether modern composite materials could be acceptable. The board also considered procedural matters, such as motions and voting, to move the discussion forward.
Building Permit Requirements (01:04:39)
Discussion about building permit requirements for changing opening sizes.

The council discusses that if there are changes to opening sizes, a building permit is required. If no changes are made, then a permit is not necessary.
Garage Repair Discussion (01:05:12)
Discussion about repair and potential demolition of a garage due to structural issues.

Adam Atwood, a property manager, discusses issues with a garage that has been damaged due to tree roots causing structural problems. Quotes for repairs are high, and they are exploring the option of demolishing the garage.
Historical Character Discussion (01:07:51)
Discussion on whether the garage is a character defining feature of the property, it is determined not to be.

The committee discusses whether the garage is a character defining feature of the Queen Anne style property. It is determined that the garage is not original nor character defining, thus it can be demolished.
Motion to Approve Demolition (01:15:49)
A motion is made and passed to approve the demolition of the garage.

A motion is made to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of the garage as it is not a character defining feature. The motion passes unanimously.
Scam Invoice Discussion (01:16:42)
Discussion about a scam invoice that was sent to a property owner.

The council discusses an incident where a property owner received a scam invoice that looked official. The issue of fake invoices being sent out is addressed.
Coordinator's Report (01:19:08)
The coordinator reports on various issues including scam invoices and upcoming training.

The coordinator discusses the issue of scam invoices, provides updates on property repairs, and talks about scheduling a training session for the council members.
Adjournment (01:24:01)
The meeting is adjourned after all topics are covered.

The meeting is officially adjourned after discussing all agenda items and topics on the list.