Planning commission approves exterior alterations for 13 and 15 South Market Street with conditions

The City of Detroit Planning Commission on April 9 approved a certificate of appropriateness (COA) allowing exterior alterations at 13 and 15 South Market Street, including distinct storefront paint colors, awnings, an entry door and iron window grills, subject to specific installation and timing conditions.

The decision follows a staff report and discussion of colors and outstanding work. "Staff recommends approval of the proposed paint on both buildings as it complies with section 2.6 of the design manual," a planning department staff member told the commission during the meeting.

The commission voted to approve the COA with conditions tied to the previously reviewed 2024 rendering and to the zoning code time limits for COAs. Under the conditions, the applicant must install the cloth awnings for the first and third floors on the 13 South Market Street building, install the iron window grills on the 13 side, and install the storefront entry door on the 13 side within six months of issuance. For 15 South Market Street, the third-floor north and south exterior side walls must be painted the same color within six months, and permanent window coverings on the third-floor openings must be approved by the zoning administrator within six months. The zoning code limits any new COA to a six-month validity period; the commission may grant six-month extensions if the applicant submits a written request at least 10 days before expiration.

Staff told commissioners that a COA for 15 had been proposed and that the prior COA for 13 (issued in 2024) had expired, making the 13 application effectively a new request. The applicant seeks to paint 13 South Market Street SW 0075 (Holiday Turquoise) — described in staff materials as the lightest of three swatches provided — and 15 South Market Street SW 6480 (Lagoon), a darker mid-tone. Staff and several commissioners emphasized the goal of having two contrasting but complementary colors on the adjoining storefronts; staff noted the colors are from the same palette and that the proposal meets the design manual’s preference for simple building colors and leaving historically unpainted surfaces unpainted.

Commissioners also discussed installation timing and outstanding elements. Staff said the storefront doorway installation is pending contractor scheduling and that the front awning is delayed because of unforeseen expenses while the upper-floor window awnings are in production. There was uncertainty noted about a middle row of upper windows on one façade — described in the meeting as "mystery" windows that have not yet been uncovered or verified.

A motion to approve the COA was made and seconded; the commission recorded affirmative votes from the commissioners called during roll call, and the motion passed. The vote was recorded as all in favor; no opposing votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The commission’s approval ties the paint and alteration work to the listed conditions and the six-month COA validity period; staff and the applicant cited the extension process if production or scheduling delays prevent completion in that time frame.

The approval resolves a topic the commission previously considered in August 2024, when a COA covering part of the building (13) had been issued and a separate COA for 15 was denied; the current action treats 13 as a new request because the prior COA lapsed.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the certificate of appropriateness for exterior alterations at 13 and 15 South Market Street with the conditions described above; the vote was recorded as unanimous among the commissioners asked during roll call.

Looking ahead, the applicant must complete the enumerated installations and seek written extension(s) at least 10 days before the six-month COA expiration if needed.