Millcreek commission recommends adding Baldwin Radio Factory to local historic list

The Millcreek City Historic Preservation Commission voted to recommend ZT-25-1, a zoning text amendment to add the Baldwin Radio Factory to the city's local historic list, after a staff presentation and brief discussion about future uses of the property.

Commission staff member Sean explained the proposal and the process, saying the text amendment is required because the local designation is embedded in the zoning code and the change must pass through community councils, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council. "All of those community councils were very much in favor of adding this," Sean said, describing outreach and the review steps that follow a recommendation.

The commission's recommendation matters because, as Sean explained, individual listing would allow the property owner to apply for conditional uses that would not apply to a historic district as a whole. The building, constructed incrementally between about 1915 and 1922 by Nathaniel Baldwin and now housing studios, a cafe and an antique store, was described in the staff report included with the item. Sean noted a recent code compliance issue tied to an outbuilding currently used as a short-term rental and said the short-term rental is not a permitted use in the property's current C1 zoning. He said the property owner could seek a conditional use permit if the site is individually listed; any such permit would require a public hearing and could include conditions such as parking limits or limits on the number of short-term rental units.

Commission discussion focused on process and safeguards. Commissioners asked whether listing would make future uses easier and whether additional short-term rentals could be limited by permit conditions. Sean said conditional use permits "have teeth": staff can attach conditions (for example hours of operation or parking limits) and revoke permits if conditions are violated. The commission also heard that community councils raised routine questions about benefits and restrictions but did not oppose the listing.

Commissioner Donahoe moved that the commission recommend adding the Baldwin Radio Factory to the local historic list; Commissioner Johnson seconded. The commission voted in favor; no opposition was recorded. The commission's recommendation will be included in the Planning Commission staff report and ultimately goes to City Council, which will hold two readings before deciding whether to adopt the zoning text amendment into the code.

The commission's action is advisory: the City Council retains final authority. Staff noted that if the owner applies for a conditional use permit for short-term rental activity on the site, that application would return to the commission and go through the public-hearing process described by staff.

Background and clarifying details: The Baldwin Radio Factory was built incrementally circa 1915'1922; Nathaniel Baldwin developed headphones and related equipment and the factory produced goods, including Navy contracts in the World War I era. Owner Kevin Flynn purchased the property in 1996 and has converted much of the space to small art studios; the building's front includes a cafe and an antique store. One outbuilding currently houses a short-term rental that staff said is not permitted in the site's C1 zoning until and unless the owner secures an appropriate conditional use permit.

The commission's recommendation on ZT-25-1 will be transmitted with community council comments and staff recommendation to the Planning Commission, then to City Council for two readings; the council vote would be the final step to effect the zoning code change.