HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-08 Historic Preservation Commission
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Greenmead Historical Park
Maureen Miller Brosnan
20501 Newburgh Road MAYOR
Livonia, Michigan 48152
(248) 477-7375
Linda McCann
DIRECTOR
Fax (248) 426-8568
Emily Tchorz-Fielder
PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
Community Resources Department
33000 Civic Center Drive
Livonia, Michigan 48154-3097
(734) 466-2540
Minutes of the Livonia Historic Preservation Commission
Special Voting Meeting
July 8, 2020
Alexander Blue House
Members present: Betsy Calhoun, Kathie Glynn, Kathy Johnson-Bartshe, Kristin Braun
Waterbury (through Skype)
Members absent: Cindy Immonen
Also present: Emily Tchorz-Fielder, Linda McCann, Evan Priest, Joe Rotondo, Chris
Boloven, Andrew Mac, Arthur Cole
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m.
Union Church: Owners and designers representing the Union Church, 15115
Farmington, currently AMAC Pharmacy Services, introduced themselves and provided
two drawings regarding the expansion of the parking lot. Current site only allows parking
on the paved east side and the gravel area of the south side. Owners would like to
expand parking to all sides of the building with angled parking increasing the space
number to 28. Discussion regarding the removal of green space, trees, types of
pavement materials that could be used besides asphalt, number of employees on one
shift was had. Owners stated that many interior improvements have been done to the
building since taking ownership, including replacing a sewer line that was blocked by
diapers from the previous nursery school owners. Owners stated they would not be
taking down any trees and would try to add to the natural landscape once parking lot
was completed. 07/01 Kathie Glynn made a motion to give them a notice to proceed
based on drawing 2, moving the handicap space to the south side, add greenery to the
northeast corner and any other areas possible, and keeping the trees. Motion approved.
Owners also stated they would be interested in a plaque for the building and a wayside
sign with some history of the building for those walking by to read.
Review of Correspondence: Another invoice for Old House Journal. Emily will check
on payment. Arcadia sent an update on monies owed, not enough to mail a check yet.
Review of June Minutes: Change wording of motion 06/01 from ‘motion to move’ to
‘motion to add additional’. 07/02 K. Glynn motions to accept the minutes with changes.
B. Calhoun seconds. All approved
New/Old Business: K. Glynn sprayed a natural mix on some poison ivy at Newburg
Cemetery. Will check back to see if it worked. Mary Cambridge has continued to work at
Newburg cleaning up plots and looking for missing stones. MHPN meeting was moved
to September and is currently still on.
Fundraisers: Happily Ever After has been canceled. Civil War Tea will be decided next
month. Advance for event previously approved in February.
Current Issues: Kator (Shay) House, 36235 W. Seven Mile: Current Owner Darren
reached out again requesting to add a roof over the deck, approx. 12’ x 15’. Discussion
was had regarding where the deck was located and if the roof would be attached to the
house. Owner also submitted to change the color of the house to Witching Hour by
Benjamin Moore (dark blue) with white trim. Discussion regarding appropriate color
choices for the time period of the house followed. As this is a simple Greek Revival
home, white would be the most appropriate color, but lighter colors would be approved.
K. Glynn to reach out to owner. Previous requests regarding tree house and fence may
go forward as this is not a total site. Owner would need to contact Inspection regarding
permits.
Orson Everitt House, 39040 W. Seven Mile: Has been rezoned to office, is back on the
market according to Thomas Duke Co. website and real estate sign in front of the
building.
Newburg Mill (Ford), 37401 Edward Hines Dr.: real estate sign is still out. Is building for
sale again? Commissioners will reach out to Wayne County for information.
Remaining funds in budget are $5,205.02
Becoming a Certified Local District: next steps are to write letter to City Council for
approval. Betsy suggested adding local cities that are already CLDs.
Greenmead Updates: Emily met with Great Lakes Gutter and received a quote for half
round gutters to be installed on the Shaw House and Kingsley House. Discussion
followed as to if half round gutters should be added or if a less obvious gutter should be
installed. Betsy asked if the half round gutters could be made in white. Emily will reach
out to company and find out. Further discussion on the topic will take place next
meeting. Randy Klepinger looked at the exterior of Blue and Shaw House today. Major
issue with the siding behind the utility meters on the north side of the Blue House.
Repair would need to include disconnecting gas and electric and possibly changing the
exterior materials in that area or reconnecting in a different way. Shaw House has quite
a bit of rotting wood, but Randy does not believe all sides need to be replaced.
Recommended east side, and the west side of the kitchen all needs to be replaced.
Stated other sides just need minor wood replacement. Emily has reached out to
numerous companies looking for someone to fix the basement leaks. Trying to avoid
digging out the basements from the exterior to waterproof. Also has reached out to
landscape companies to finish the greenhouse floor. Awaiting responses. Spoke to
Dave Carter and told him to spend up to $5,000 on Newburg Cemetery stone repair and
that stones would be marked with red flags. Sign for Farm Complex donations ordered.
Sign was paid for by donation from Dusty Donigan. Repairs needed to the exterior of
Blue House viewed by Commissioners, including siding issues on the north side of the
building at the utility hook ups.
Walk On Items: Betsy brought up the Livonia Today magazine which featured an article
on Burke Architectural Millwork. Stated that Kelly Burke would be a good edition to the
commission. Betsy will reach out to her and invite her to the next meeting.
Next Meetings: Voting Meetings on August 5 and October 7; Planning meetings on
September 2 or 9, November 4, and December 2
Adjournment at 8:33 p.m.