City of Kalamazoo - October 21, 2025 Historic District Commission

Updated about 5 hours ago

During the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission Meeting, members review and approve applications related to property renovations. A proposal to address structural issues with a historic duplex is approved, ensuring compliance with preservation standards. Another applicant, Lynn Robertson, receives approval to convert a porch into a mud room, maintaining the historic character. The commission emphasizes the importance of public understanding of historic district regulations and encourages community engagement.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:04:10)
The meeting was officially called to order by the chairperson.

The chairperson announced the commencement of the meeting, signaling the official start.
Roll Call (00:04:16)
Roll call was conducted with members Katie, Dana, Dan, and James present.

The roll call was conducted by Casey, confirming the presence of members Katie, Dana, Dan, and James.
Motion to Approve Absence (00:04:27)
A motion was made and seconded to approve the absence of Christy Brush.

A motion was proposed and seconded to formally approve the absence of member Christy Brush, followed by a vote.
Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes (00:05:00)
The minutes from the last meeting were approved unanimously.

A motion was put forward and seconded to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, and the motion passed with all in favor.
Adoption of Formal Agenda (00:05:19)
The formal agenda for the meeting was adopted after a motion and vote.

A motion was made to adopt the formal agenda, which was seconded and approved, allowing the meeting to proceed with the established agenda.
Reading of Disclaimer (00:05:32)
Luis read the disclaimer regarding the responsibilities of the Historic District Commission.

Luis read a disclaimer outlining the role and responsibilities of the Historic District Commission as per the City of Kalamazoo's code and local historic districts act.
Discussion: Historic Property Renovation (00:07:10)
Scott Hunsinger presented a proposal for renovating a historic property, addressing structural issues and seeking approval for changes.

Scott Hunsinger discussed the need to address rot and structural issues in a historic property he owns, seeking permission to replace a dangerous balcony with a hip roof to prevent water damage and improve safety.
Public Hearing: Porch Enclosure Proposal (00:20:00)
Lynn and Jed Robertson proposed enclosing their back porch to create a mud room, emphasizing historical sensitivity.

Lynn and Jed Robertson presented their proposal to enclose their back porch to create a mud room as part of a kitchen renovation, ensuring the design aligns with the historical character of the neighborhood.
Coordinator's Report (00:25:35)
Luis provided updates on various projects and community events related to historic preservation.

Luis delivered the coordinator's report, highlighting recent historic preservation activities, community events, and successful renovation projects, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in preservation efforts.
Public Perception and Outreach (00:31:08)
Discussion on public perception of the commission's work and ideas for outreach to improve understanding.

The meeting discussed the skewed public perception of the commission as being overly strict. Suggestions were made to increase public engagement by inviting questions and hosting longer meetings to allow for community interaction. The idea of collaborating with Now Kalamazoo to involve the public in commission meetings was proposed.
Collaboration with Now Kalamazoo (00:31:57)
Proposal to partner with Now Kalamazoo to improve community engagement and understanding of commission activities.

A proposal was made to contact Now Kalamazoo to include the commission in their rotation of meetings to help the public understand their community better. This dual event could increase transparency and allow the commission to address public misconceptions directly.
Commission Reciprocity and Outreach (00:33:35)
Discussion on improving relations between commissions and increasing outreach efforts.

The discussion focused on the need for better understanding and reciprocity between two commissions. It was noted that the lack of communication had led to each commission operating independently, despite their interconnected roles in historic preservation. The chair expressed willingness to attend meetings to improve outreach and education.
Public Misconceptions About Historic Districts (00:34:38)
Addressing public misconceptions and emphasizing the commission's supportive role in historic preservation.

The commission discussed the public's misconceptions about their role, often seen as overly restrictive, and stressed their commitment to supporting and working with the community. The importance of clear communication to dispel myths and encourage dialogue with residents was emphasized.
Neighborhood Engagement and PR Campaign (00:36:01)
Exploration of methods to engage neighborhoods and improve public relations through city channels.

The possibility of engaging with neighborhood meetings and launching a public relations campaign through the city was explored. It was suggested that the new neighborhood activator could play a role in this engagement. The potential for using social media to inform and engage residents was also considered.