HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-06 Historic Preservation Commission
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Greenmead Historical Park
Dennis Wright
20501 Newburgh Road MAYOR
Livonia, Michigan 48152
(248) 477-7375
Linda McCann
DIRECTOR
Fax: (248) 426-8568
Emily Tchorz
PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
Community Resources Department
33000 Civic Center Drive
Livonia, Michigan 48154-3097
(734) 466-2540
Minutes of the Livonia Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
February 6, 2019
Members Present: Ralph Bakewell, Betsy Calhoun, Kathie Glynn, Kathy Johnson-
Bartshe
Members Absent: Cindy Immonen, James Kline
Also present: Emily Tchorz
The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. at the Alexander Blue House
2/1 K. Glynn made a motion to accept the November meeting minutes as written,
seconded by B. Calhoun, approved.
Preservation Advocacy Day (in Lansing) is 2/26; K. Johnson-Bartshe and K. Glynn
attended last year. Advocates are still trying to restore the Historic Preservation tax
credit for the state.
2/2 State of the City address and luncheon on March 13th: K. Glynn moved to approve
funds for up to six people to attend (at the City employee’s rate, and as per Mayor
Wright’s letter inviting Commissions). R. Bakewell seconded, passed.
Upcoming fundraising event Happily Ever After on Thursday, March 7th, 7-9:30 p.m.
(this used to be a Livonia Historical Commission responsibility; now the HPC since we
were doing most of the work). This program showcases vintage gowns, photos, and
more, including business that cater to weddings. Commission members will take flyers
to beauty salons, bridal shops, etc.; the City takes care of the libraries, etc. Our other
fundraising event this year is the Civil War Tea in September in cooperation with the
Historic Commission.
2/3 K. Glynn made a motion to authorize $49 to purchase a much-needed mannequin
for this event (and others). B. Calhoun seconded, passed.
Maureen Casey needs help soliciting businesses who have donated in the past to this
event.
2/4 K. Glynn moved to advance up to $800 to cover planning expenses for Happily Ever
After, B. Calhoun seconded, approved. Many dresses in the collection need repair and
could possibly be done by a local person if we found someone qualified.
Orson Everitt property on the market: An adjacent business, A-123, wants to buy the
house and property, with plans to carve a driveway through the back of the site. This
would give them access to a traffic light at 7 Mile Rd. They do have access to Haggerty
Road, however, and this situation existed when they purchased their site. K. Glynn will
send a letter to Linda McCann reminding her of this, the fact that it is the entire site on
the National, State, and Local Registers, and the concern of the Commission that the
house itself will not be kept up by an owner who only seeks a driveway. The topic was
discussed due to the request to demolish the replacement non-historic carriage house
in order to install a driveway. The Commission might seek more information from the
City on this subject.
Ford Mills in Hines Park for sale by Wayne County: the Newburgh mill which is in on the
State Register is in Livonia and concerns the Commission. K. Johnson will email our
County Commissioner letting her know that we are following developments closely.
Once it is sold to a private entity, the Commission has quite a lot of responsibility in
overseeing the process to make sure it meets the Department of Interior’s Standards for
Historic Preservation.
LHPC Budget 2018-2019: $5,000
We have 3 accounts; our fundraiser account (is held for us by the Historical
Commission), the Commission Budget ($5,000, must be spent every year), and
Cemetery Maintenance (which has $3,500 in it and must be spent every year).
2/5 R. Bakewell made the motion to approve up to $2,000 for Livonia Center Cemetery
from cemetery maintenance, B. Calhoun seconded, approved. It has been the
Commission’s practice to rotate restoration (by Dave Carter) of cemetery headstones
between the historic cemeteries. Dave Carter’s services are becoming more in
demand, but he always makes sure to set aside time for us. We’ll let him know that
we’ll be spending more funds later in the year.
Emily Tchorz Greenmead report:
A pipe burst in the Carriage House; luckily no serious damage (the live-in caretaker
checks the building at night). She is still working on the Greenhouse bid, but one
reference was through the National Park Service, who were on furlough due to the
Federal Government shutdown. Church window restoration (7-8 windows) being looked
into; it will be a grant request to the Livonia Community Foundation
We will meet again for a planning meeting March 13th at the Alexander Blue House at 6
p.m.
Meeting dates for next fiscal year - Voting: February 6, 2019, May 1, 2019, August 7,
2019, November 6, 2019. Planning meetings: December 5, 2018, January 2, 2019,
March 13 ,2019, April 10, 2019, June 5, 2019, July 3 or 10, 2019, September 4 or 11,
2019, October 2, 2019, December 4, 2019.
R. Bakewell made a motion to adjourn, B. Calhoun seconded, passed unanimously, and
the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betsy Calhoun