City of Kalamazoo - May 20, 2025 Historic District Commission

Updated about 2 hours ago

The Commission considers a plan to replace crumbling stucco on dormers with cement board siding due to the difficulty of finding qualified stucco installers. The commission approves the plan, noting that the cement board is a durable alternative. Anne requests permission to demolish a structurally unsound carriage barn, built in the 1970s, with plans to rebuild a historically styled structure. The commission approves the demolition, highlighting safety concerns. Austin Rasinski proposes replacing unauthorized vinyl windows with composite wood windows on behalf of Michael, receiving approval as they better match the original design. The meeting concludes with a coordinator's report on routine reviews and a member's resignation.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:01:27)
The meeting was officially called to order by the chair, marking the start of the proceedings.

At 00:01:27.433, the chair officially called the meeting to order, signaling the commencement of the session and setting the agenda for the evening.
Roll Call (00:01:30)
Roll call was conducted to confirm attendance of board members and establish a quorum for the meeting.

The roll call was conducted by Casey, confirming the presence of board members: Katie, Christie, Dana, Dan, and Eric. This established a quorum for proceeding with the meeting's agenda.
Approval of Absences (00:01:43)
A motion was made to approve the absences of James Johnson, which was seconded and subsequently approved.

A motion was put forward to approve the absence of James Johnson. The motion was seconded, and upon voting, it was unanimously approved by the board members present.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:17)
The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved following a motion and a unanimous vote.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion was seconded, and all members present voted in favor, thus approving the minutes as recorded.
Adoption of Agenda (00:02:38)
The formal agenda for the meeting was adopted after a motion was made and seconded, followed by a unanimous vote.

A motion was made to adopt the formal agenda for the meeting. The motion was seconded, and all members voted in favor, resulting in the adoption of the agenda as presented.
Disclaimer Reading (00:02:54)
Luis read the disclaimer about the historical preservation responsibilities of the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission.

Luis read the disclaimer detailing the responsibilities of the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission as per the city ordinances. This includes regulating work on historic resources and ensuring compliance with preservation standards.
Public Hearing: Dormer Replacement Proposal (00:03:45)
Christopher Heckman and Lisa Presley presented a proposal for replacing dormer stucco with cement board siding due to maintenance issues.

Christopher Heckman, representing First Choice Custom Builder, and homeowner Lisa Presley presented a proposal to replace the crumbling stucco on dormers with cement board siding. They provided samples and explained the challenges with finding qualified stucco installers. The proposal also included support letters from neighbors.
Public Hearing: Carriage Barn Demolition Proposal (00:11:29)
A proposal was presented for the demolition of a structurally compromised carriage barn, with plans to rebuild a safe and historically appropriate structure.

An applicant presented a proposal to demolish a carriage barn built in the 1970s due to structural concerns, including cracking beams and safety hazards. The applicant plans to replace it with a new structure that maintains the historical character of the neighborhood.
Window Replacement Remediation Proposal (00:25:43)
A contractor proposed a remediation plan to replace unauthorized vinyl windows with historically appropriate ones.

A contractor, representing a homeowner, presented a remediation plan to replace previously installed unauthorized vinyl windows with historically appropriate composite wood windows. This proposal aimed to restore the original appearance and comply with historic district guidelines.
Discussion on Window Replacement Standards (00:31:37)
A detailed discussion about the appropriateness of replacing wood windows with alternative products and the implications on historical guidelines.

The meeting delves into the standards for window replacements in historical districts, discussing the pros and cons of various materials such as wood, vinyl, and proprietary materials like Anderson's FX. Concerns are raised about maintaining historical integrity while considering practical issues like cost and availability. There's a debate about whether creating a list of approved materials could introduce biases.
Motion to Approve Certificate of Appropriateness (00:38:41)
A motion is made and seconded to approve a certificate of appropriateness for window replacement, followed by a roll call vote.

A motion is put forward to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the window replacement project as it complies with the secretary of interior standards. The motion is seconded and a roll call vote is conducted with all members voting in favor. The approval allows the project to proceed with the necessary building permits.
Coordinator's Reports (00:39:38)
Reports on recent review activities, including sign renewals and approvals for minor modifications to historical properties.

The coordinator reports on various reviews conducted recently, including requests for sign renewals, changes to non-historical garages, and approval of modifications based on photographic evidence. Other standard activities such as porch and roof reviews are mentioned.
Board Member Resignation (00:41:17)
A board member submits their resignation and the board thanks them for their contributions.

A board member announces their resignation from the board. The other members express their gratitude for the resigning member's valuable contributions and time spent on the board.