[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6481336,"mediaKeyId","5820926-72ad380dbf4c1cbf6f401d462c327038","parentId",5820926,"title","Commission discusses district survey, facade grants, contractor shortages and upcoming paint workshop","audioSeconds",436,"startMs",1577000,"endMs",2013000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820926-72ad380dbf4c1cbf6f401d462c327038&start=1577&end=2013","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820926-72ad380dbf4c1cbf6f401d462c327038/thumbnail_1577000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481336/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Commission-discusses-district-survey-facade-grants-contractor-shortages-and-upcoming-paint-workshop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481336-0dabaf74871d50662f1d598331d528b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614358&Signature=PFBTBEMID3~8X8qYZzR0C96uF1V4mwrhTRqlBND-a2k~WA0drO6dsotGHBAhbWRYrYGQHfMfuIB9NTAqvBJncItRiyln60YeC9hlVECn44-mQdDwX7dFwqPG9OuSYm-qw~23Ty9iHxbA8X10E0x1zh2pcFx1CmHQMx~WXKgOOM0yEA5OwzFG81Mj79VO0NQqvDyEiEetmY5Gjl0J~GW6nlUWbJLaOts6WLerPpejDQRUbySroBvuUBUhxJcsONMxGrz9gsuCpT4f958hHqBjR6y4ek6WwCwLSbEIAlOb3n~EGKgjXlJ0DudbX37uSj-848PhMbBaWyqWzOi4tj~QAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","At its Sept. 22 meeting the Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission received updates on an Indiana Landmarks district survey, the Redevelopment Commission’s written response on potential support, and outreach and training plans for property owners — including a paint workshop scheduled in October. Commissioners also spent substantial time discussing the limited local contractor capacity to perform historic repairs, especially window restoration, and possible ways to help owners access qualified tradespeople.

Indiana Landmarks and survey timing

Staff reported that Indiana Landmarks will resume an updated survey of the city’s historic districts. Staffing changes and a recent change of organization leadership delayed the start; staff said work might begin in November rather than October because leaf-off conditions improve photographic documentation. The preservation consultant will proceed when schedules and staffing allow.

Redevelopment Commission response and façade grants

The commission summarized a response letter from the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission (RDC). The RDC signaled support for façade grants and other incentives, and staff noted the façade program has been expanded to allow grant dollars to fund certain building infrastructure work — such as sewer or supply lateral repairs — when those infrastructure issues threaten the viability of a historic renovation. Commissioners encouraged property owners to contact the RDC about available facade and upper-story residential grants and infrastructure assistance.

Contractor list, window repairs and training

Commissioners discussed a persistent shortage of local contractors who can perform traditional window repair and other historic-preservation work. Staff said a centralized contractor list exists in the city office but is maintained as an internal, proprietary resource; staff will provide relevant referrals to property owners on a case-by-case basis but declined to publish the full list publicly due to frequent updates and liability concerns. Commissioners and members of the public urged a more proactive approach: expanding training and outreach, encouraging contractors to attend window-repair workshops, and finding ways to make local expertise more available. A commissioner said to consider partnering with nearby trainings (one was recently held in South Bend) and to include contractors in future workshops.

Workshops, design guideline updates and fees

The commission confirmed a paint workshop will be held in October at the Michigan City Police Station (staff provided directions during the meeting) and said it will be open to the public with light refreshments; staff reported three registrants at the time of the meeting and asked commissioners and partners to publicize the event. Commissioners also reported ongoing work to consolidate and clarify the design guidelines into a master table that clearly identifies what work can be staff-approved versus what requires full board review. Separately, staff said the city will implement an updated $50 fee (approved last fall) once the planning department receives and configures a Square payment terminal; that implementation was delayed until at least Oct. 1 while the equipment is ordered and programmed.

Public comment and balance of regulation and assistance

During public comment, resident and former property investor Scott Nolan urged the commission to balance preservation rules with private-property rights and to reconsider some material restrictions. Nolan argued that some texture on replacement siding can be appropriate and that requiring approvals for elements not visible from the street (for example, flat roofs not seen by the public) creates undue burden. Commissioners acknowledged the tension and reiterated a preference for coupling regulatory expectations with more outreach and resources for owners, such as grants, workshops and contractor training.

Why it matters

Commissioners’ discussions shape how the city supports and enforces preservation standards. Expanding façade grants to cover certain infrastructure repairs and improving training and referrals for contractors could reduce barriers for owners to maintain historic properties and comply with local standards. The commission directed staff to continue outreach and report back with updates on the survey timeline, design-guideline edits, contractors outreach and workshop promotion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners heard updates on an Indiana Landmarks survey, a redevelopment commission response on façade grants, a paint workshop and ongoing concerns about contractor availability—especially for historic window repair.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"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},6481341,"Historic Preservation Commission approves siding and brick repairs, sets conditions on materials",59,606000,665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820926-72ad380dbf4c1cbf6f401d462c327038&start=606&end=665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820926-72ad380dbf4c1cbf6f401d462c327038/thumbnail_606000.jpg","/articles/6481341/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Historic-Preservation-Commission-approves-siding-and-brick-repairs-sets-conditions-on-materials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481341-169474e2ffeac73b2abd25bc8fb2eb5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614358&Signature=oA17IUbN76wat0zUsPTwGBPlaDomx7CJfpSgSHTiR9Y2pEPjTudwV-rO~xUyooKDv36iwJVDwNW~2TxxMkir2vo9WDwiwZJLyjsamnuEqbGpw18KOE6kP6xac48t0Ps2EdkuSCYpNJ0S03zjzPwXS5h1s6YG4VcnPa~nUSEmLluzDE6gtaB76PdY4dtR4f49HV7CsES7xLL41mmL3GMY3IwZO9f9M9tpw25F~d7nvAQAdRK~yr0sk7gmacOJRCkzTHxq880oQmXjcPDiTS5WMicRjVNjVwzKJHkD85Mt5LlfqoxshdRF5LLSQgmbOhMaK046YTrtHeQ~BHf9qUC2Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 22 approved two certificates of appropriateness: replacement of deteriorated siding at 227 West 10th Street and brick repair and repointing at 831 Franklin Street. Both properties are contributing resources in local historic districts, and the commission attached conditions to both approvals to require matching materials and smooth finishes.

The siding proposal at 227 West 10th Street (COA2025-39), a gable-front house constructed in 1895 and within the Wabash Street local and Haskell & Barker National Historic Districts, was approved with the condition that replacement materials be smooth (not textured). Staff reported that the existing siding is not original and is deteriorated or missing in places; the applicant proposed James Hardie fiber-cement lap siding (HardiePlank) in a “cobblestone” beige color with white trim. The commission’s motion specified “replacement of existing asphalt shingle siding with the condition of smooth, not textured surface on all materials.” The motion carried with a voice vote.

The commission also approved COA2025-43 for 831 Franklin Street, an Italianate commercial building (c. 1880) in the Franklin Square local and Franklin Street commercial historic districts, to repair about five courses of damaged brick on the building’s south parapet and to repoint mortar. Staff recommended using brick that matches the existing material, color and texture as closely as possible and matching mortar joint size, profile and strength. The applicant told the commission that the plan is to salvage brick from non-visible areas and, if needed, source similar brick for repairs; the applicant indicated the mortar will likely be Type N. The motion approved brick replacement of like kind, salvaging brick from non-visible areas where possible, and specified Type N (or softer) mortar for repointing. The commission conducted a roll-call vote on this COA; members present voted in favor and the motion passed.

The meeting packet also listed four staff-reviewed reroof certificates that staff approved without full-board action: 818 Franklin (COA2025-38), 909 Franklin, 718–726 Franklin (COA2025-041), and 615 Spring Street (COA2025-542). Commission members noted these were staff approvals of like materials and in some cases color changes; no additional board action was taken.

Commission staff referenced the commission’s statement of purpose and cited Michigan City Municipal Code Sec. 62-2 (enforcement and penalties for violations of the historic preservation chapter) during the meeting’s opening remarks. Commissioners asked staff to verify final colors and trim profiles before fabrication for the siding project and to confirm mortar specifications and any non-visible brick sources for the parapet work.

Meeting participants who spoke on these agenda items included the applicant for 831 Franklin Street, who identified himself as Gerald Mitchell, the building owner; the commission’s preservation staff (Deb — historic preservation consultant/staff); and commissioners who asked clarifying questions during review. The commission’s staff will review final color and material samples as required by the approved motions.

Votes at a glance

- COA2025-39, 227 West 10th Street — Motion to approve siding replacement with condition that all materials be smooth (not textured). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion maker: commission member (name not specified in the transcript). Second: recorded in the meeting as provided.
- COA2025-43, 831 Franklin Street — Motion to approve brick repair of like kind, salvage non-visible brick where possible, and use Type N (or softer) mortar for repointing. Outcome: approved (roll-call vote). Vote record (as read into the record): Miss Dalton — yes; Miss Tejeda — yes; Mr. Zimmer — yes; Miss Haddad — yes; Miss Bowman — absent; Miss Mazzi (Mapesy in transcript) — yes; Miss Perkert — absent; Miss Wilson — yes; Mr. Espar — yes.

Why it matters

Certificates of appropriateness determine whether exterior changes to buildings in local historic districts meet preservation guidelines. The commission’s conditions—smooth fiber-cement siding for the house and matched brick and mortar for the commercial building—set the standards contractors must meet before work proceeds. Commission staff said they will review final samples and details to ensure compliance before installation.

What’s next

Staff will finalize and document approved material samples and mortar specifications for both projects. The applicant for 831 Franklin Street indicated he will clean and reuse existing brick where feasible and will notify staff of any sourced bricks and the precise mortar mix if substitutions are necessary.","At its Sept. 22 meeting the Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness to replace deteriorated siding at 227 W. 10th St. and granted a brick-repair COA for 831 Franklin St., setting material and finish conditions for both projects.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission discusses district survey, facade grants, contractor shortages and upcoming paint workshop

Historic Preservation Commission approves siding and brick repairs, sets conditions on materials