[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076682,"mediaKeyId","2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577","parentId",2968257,"title","Design Review Board approves renovation at 36801 Woodward Avenue with conditions on rooftop screening and materials","audioSeconds",1319,"startMs",2757000,"endMs",4076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577&start=2757&end=4076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577/thumbnail_2757000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076682/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Design-Review-Board-approves-renovation-at-36801-Woodward-Avenue-with-conditions-on-rooftop-screening-and-materials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076682-a836446ba6efed4cef6eaab7552c2d09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200281&Signature=a~Nv-1KaOQPb2Mb4molR~QmTCNWJ1kZPAk8ERU2H~L~DyMx937qviA0gXCb9TN60B9lYwa4HRk0Lpe8NX6y21FPxVYwvdE17DQMbQuC6Jf-1TG7U4ktDJM6YwRDEnYduoL1GjQtdZb8AfUoeY7Qs9vrLU~EDdxPwWki7ZDpsmwe3XkLKBP3xHWuBRg~9qRTHBr6gJn0BC0EdEx1VEVsswxCsS1ZRCT2sqKKhPcjGOW5UZZSdJ0rNvBIEi-vo1dQ-xTmUp2e7nfAxdOSfqqfwY3S2M4gCzYFomtA1pq860C0yQh2b-UwxMkx41uowQaYM9YVQbbCd-iz-Y6zYl4lmug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Birmingham, MI","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Design Review Board approved the design‑review application for renovations at 36801 Woodward Avenue on April 2, conditioning approval on final details for rooftop‑unit screening, glazing, paint colors and canopy dimensions.

Nick (staff member) described the project as a modernizing refresh that will replace storefront systems, add limestone panels, extend a parapet and add metal cladding and sunshades. Staff said the property is in the TZ‑3 transitional zoning district; the district requires minimum building standards that the project generally meets but staff asked for confirmation of glazing calculations and a final material and color palette.

Board members asked for specific details on a proposed rooftop‑unit (RTU) screening and for the applicant to provide RTU elevations showing adequate screening. Staff noted that screening shown in plans sent the night before appeared sufficient but that board action should include an explicit condition requiring final screening details.

Laurie Hewitt Hiller, a principal at McIntosh Forest Architects and tenant representative, and Michael Porus (building tenant) said the building is expected to remain a one‑ or two‑tenant office building; they confirmed signs shown in renderings were placeholders and that signage would return as a separate application. The applicants said some landscaping is city‑maintained and that they would coordinate with city forestry/streets staff about street‑tree replacement and possible improvements to the nearby median.

A board member moved to adopt the planning department findings and approve the application with conditions that the applicant: submit architectural elevation drawings of the RTU with adequate screening; provide glazing specifications to confirm code compliance; submit a complete paint color palette including manufacturer and color codes for proposed stucco; and provide dimensions for the metal‑clad canopy to ensure a minimum 5‑foot sidewalk clearance within the public right of way (or two‑thirds of the right of way, whichever is less). The motion passed (second and roll call not recorded in the transcript). Staff and applicants agreed to work together to finalize materials and right‑of‑way details before permit submittal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04.02.2025 Historic District / Design Review","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved exterior renovations at 36801 Woodward Avenue, asking the applicant to provide rooftop‑unit screening drawings, glazing specifications, a complete paint palette and canopy dimensions that meet public‑right‑of‑way clearance requirements before permits proceed.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",48746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076687,"Design review approved for 700 East Maple; board grants waiver for non‑cutoff lights",543,2202000,2745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577&start=2202&end=2745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577/thumbnail_2202000.jpg","/articles/6076687/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Design-review-approved-for-700-East-Maple-board-grants-waiver-for-noncutoff-lights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076687-d6e7a72fcf0f84bb5fe5deabcf032636/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200281&Signature=VQTEgYbpIJ7dt02fEJGfBn0XVwDKQxSfxu-BOVxB8DM2JZOhfSO3m-P4hKA0xC700WEmKj0mLwol-USP4uPbJwqbWtexLw~1wQeErg-gkC892Iax6ZvPZk3hkO9LzC1vKC5jMK19tnlvKMbj9rUqxMwRUpIqy3qLTjvulJIUICNwPcG4l6bpkq66aSpz~nWeV90WjyM5HhA2gQRgHHtCZGW0RqoK-~9YSg2fA-9dl-bFtZxq4SCX2BRI6UIrwBJtc2uNcQO2D-cIdPtv7v3EUjWxxMQvgfcE4gTZeYrIJVACq0t1nzhkqqysukw4OtzoZwftNVS~oOlxe7Jt0r1VyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Design Review Board on April 2 approved a design‑review application to refresh the exterior of an existing four‑story office building at 700 East Maple, granting a waiver for the building’s proposed non‑cutoff LED accent lighting and requiring compliance with city department comments.

Nick (staff member) told the board the project would retain the building’s footprint and use as office space and would add fiber‑cement panels, paint and architectural lighting. Staff said the building sits in the Triangle District overlay and recommended approval while noting some existing nonconforming conditions — for example, the building lacks an entrance every 50 feet along its frontage, a condition described as a pre‑existing legal nonconformity.

John Guma, the applicant’s project lead, described the planned LED strips as recessed in the brick columns and intended to “wash the walls” as an architectural accent rather than pathway lighting. Guma explained the meaning of “cutoff” lighting to the board: “Cutoff light basically means it’s shielded from sending light into the night sky,” he said.

Sam Landry moved to adopt the planning department findings and approve the design‑review application for 700 East Maple for Gamma Group with two additions: that the Design Review Board grant a waiver for the proposed non‑cutoff fixtures and that the applicant comply with all city department requests. The motion was seconded (second not recorded in the transcript) and approved by voice vote.

City staff noted signs are not part of the application and require a separate sign permit process. The applicant said no new rooftop equipment or signage is proposed and that landscaping enhancements are planned.

The board’s approval included a direction to place any granted waiver in the motion language to create a clear record of the decision.","The Design Review Board approved exterior updates to the existing office building at 700 East Maple, granting a waiver for non‑cutoff LED accent fixtures and requiring the applicant to comply with city department conditions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076693,"Birmingham City staff outlines historic preservation master plan, plaque design and Wallace Frost month program",1683,370000,2053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577&start=370&end=2053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968257-070727dd54cc8840cf805db97fa4c577/thumbnail_370000.jpg","/articles/6076693/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Birmingham-City-staff-outlines-historic-preservation-master-plan-plaque-design-and-Wallace-Frost-month-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076693-33efa6e532f386c5207da70c4d6206bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200281&Signature=HKRYKQfj~U3-LFGa7Ds1lMxipB4KBUM4MEIdgADd5ykR~uS8Ay-M2g9O2gp2PXgUo32rBAmOzlRysJggDQH3vJBUh0NYXLtcDyu8YNGEzwjhAsEi4hi3PgluSFAoYn~S9-KbE1TfNfV6tIovcy63XJ4ZPLeXbCG~8YB20jO1NHYR3Y4gvj5VlyxUhJFg3Z4RCV-jujsDIGojlYOIm47Ljmjtrsbhu0ryOmaDFt2VlmMu48u0B9lBZTxZvFm4v4ixdgL1wEZZ72BFxmn1m4DizBNc4hpEulLyYwsqytauhfl62S3iP2BbKdmr8qDiFQB6SHt1FXPmg9T5l0LdIfn9cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 2 meeting, the Birmingham City Historic District Commission reviewed an outline of a proposed historic preservation master plan and gave staff direction to proceed with a public survey and outreach for a Wallace Frost historic‑houses program.

The plan outline — presented by Nick (staff member) — includes designation options, a revised schedule and a second public survey the presenter said he hoped to open in April, release in late April and close in June. The presenter asked commissioners for a “formal go ahead” on the outline so staff could develop content and the action plan.

Commissioners said the outline was a logical starting point and suggested a few additions. Members asked that the Birmingham Museum be referenced in the plan and recommended including the heritage home program and the city’s historic design guidelines to clarify citizen and government roles. Commissioner Keith Dyer noted the plan should reference existing work the commission has already done.

Staff also proposed standardizing four plaque types used in the city and suggested issuing a new oval, solid‑brass “Birmingham green” heritage plaque that would emphasize year built and the resource name. Staff said custom brass plaques cost about $400–$500 apiece. Commissioners discussed whether to use the language “built” or “circa” when construction dates are uncertain and asked staff to check existing guidelines and past study reports for consistent wording.

A second, related agenda item focused on a Wallace Frost program planned for historic‑preservation month. The staff proposal centers on social media, a digital map or self‑guided tour, two owner spotlights, trivia posted through Birmingham Engage, and a small number of in‑person outreach events. The proposed schedule calls for a March 1 kickoff (social posts and an initial announcement), a map release the following day, owner spotlights and a call to action during the month, DPS open‑house tabling in May, and a final social post summarizing results. Staff said the campaign’s primary purpose is to encourage more Wallace Frost houses to pursue official designation. If timeline permits, staff proposed issuing a plaque for the Frederick E. Goode house (identified in the meeting as Keith Dyer’s house) during one commission meeting as a ceremonial presentation.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistics for a self‑guided map — including owner privacy, whether owners need to consent to appear on the map and whether printed brochures or QR codes should link to online background information and historic photos. Staff said the Birmingham Museum had been contacted as a partner and could supply photographs; staff also said lawn stakes, printed materials or a webpage could provide additional context for visitors.

The commission approved the HDC minutes of Feb. 19, 2025, during the meeting and gave staff direction to continue developing the master‑plan content, the plaque format and the Wallace Frost outreach calendar.

It was noted that photographs for the master plan and plaque documentation should ideally be completed in spring before trees leaf out; staff requested volunteers to help with photography and outreach and asked commissioners to share social posts and speak with neighbors to boost participation.","At the April 2 meeting the Historic District Commission reviewed a draft historic preservation master plan outline, proposed a standardized brass oval plaque in “Birmingham green,” and backed a social-media-driven Wallace Frost program and walking‑tour map with owner spotlights and outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Design Review Board approves renovation at 36801 Woodward Avenue with conditions on rooftop screening and materials

Design review approved for 700 East Maple; board grants waiver for non‑cutoff lights

Birmingham City staff outlines historic preservation master plan, plaque design and Wallace Frost month program