Historic District Commission approves five West Side alterations; porch decision at 234 Eighth Street postponed for engineering review

At its March 13, 2025 meeting, the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission approved a slate of residential alterations across the Old West Side neighborhood, granting certificates of appropriateness for rear additions, an ADU above a garage, and a modest second‑story addition on the back of another house. The commission also approved most of the landscape, deck and rear‑elevation work at 234 Eighth Street but postponed final action on a proposed front porch reconstruction using fieldstone veneer and bluestone pavers pending further structural or engineering information.

The votes covered these properties (summary and decisions below):

• 210 Cook Avenue — approved (rear 185 sq ft L‑shaped addition). Staff noted limited visibility from the public right‑of‑way and that the addition would be differentiated with materials and trim. The motion was moved and read on the record; the commission voted to approve the work.

• 229 Buena Vista Avenue — approved (340 sq ft rear addition, roof replacement, limewashing of brick veneer). Staff described the house as a non‑contributing manufactured dwelling; because the building is non‑contributing and the addition is set well back, staff recommended approval. The commission approved the proposal.

• 919 West Washington Street — approved (114 sq ft second‑story addition at the rear and a mini split heat pump). The addition is inset from the historic corner and set back so it will be minimally visible from the street; the commission approved the work.

• 234 Eighth Street — approved in part and…