Historic District Commission approves porch repairs at 1213 Sixth Street

The Bay City Historic District Commission on March 12 approved a certificate of appropriateness for porch repairs and replacement decking at 1213 Sixth Street, a two‑story rental property, after hearing from the owner and discussing appropriate materials and dimensions.

John Frey, the property owner, said he is replacing porches that have deteriorated and that the existing metal railing and decking have been in place since he purchased the house in 1996. “There’s children in the home, so I would like to get something a little bit more stable in there,” Frey told the commission.

Commission members reviewed decking options, spindle/column dimensions and material choices. The commission asked the owner to use decking that matches the visual width of traditional Victorian tongue-and-groove boards; the applicant agreed to use decking in the 3- to 3½‑inch width range. The motion recorded at the meeting found the proposed work complies with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (Standards cited in the motion) and the city’s historic preservation regulations; commissioners voted in favor and recorded the motion as approved without conditions.

Why it matters: The porches are visible elements of the home’s historic character. The commission’s requirement on board width is intended to preserve the porch’s visual proportions while allowing for modern structural and safety standards.

Key points from discussion and the packet - Scope: porch reconstruction/repairs (columns, steps, decking, railings) to address safety and structural deterioration. - Decking: applicant initially proposed standard 5/4 decking; commissioners requested decking visually similar to historic tongue-and-groove boards (commission settled on approximately 3–3½ inches wide). Applicant agreed to make decking narrower or otherwise finish boards to match the look. - Spindles/columns: applicant said original spindles were approximately 1½–1¾ inches; he will source new spindles and columns consistent with the historic appearance where possible. - Materials: options discussed included pressure-treated wood, painted wood and composite products (Trex); staff noted composite decking requires closer joist spacing and potential changes to underlying supports. - Railing gap: the gap between deck and bottom of railing was discussed and staff noted it is required by code in Bay City to facilitate snow removal.

Vote and next steps The commission’s motion approved a certificate of appropriateness for the work described in the applicant’s packet, citing compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards and city regulations; the transcript reflects a favorable vote and the applicant was advised to coordinate permits with building staff prior to work.