Historic district commission approves windows replacement at 814 Southwest

The Kalamazoo Historic District Commission on an affirmative roll-call vote approved a certificate of appropriateness for replacement of two second-story windows at 814 Southwest.

The applicant, identified at the meeting as the property manager for 814 Southwest, told the commission the building is “120 plus year[s]” old and that the current windows are “pretty dilapidated.” The applicant said the owner has held the building about 10 years and that water entering through the worst unit is “leaking into the flooring.” The applicant said the two units proposed now are a single worst unit and that future applications may follow for other units.

The commission’s motion approved the work “as described in the application as it complies with Secretary of Interior Standards 2, 6, 9 and 10.” The clerk took a roll call: Katie — yes; Christie — yes; Dana — yes; Dan — yes; James — yes. The motion passed unanimously.

In discussion, the applicant said the new windows will fit into existing openings and there will be no brick work. The applicant said storm windows previously purchased in 2019 (cost cited at $7,500) will be removed and cannot be reused once the new windows are installed. The applicant asked the commission informally about outreach and suggested working with the neighborhood association to show the project as an example; a commission member encouraged the applicant to contact the commission liaison, Luis, and offered to meet on site informally.

The applicant agreed to obtain any remaining permissions before starting work; staff said a certificate of appropriateness would be provided by the end of the week.

The action was a formal approval to replace two windows on the second story of 814 Southwest; commissioners clarified this application covered only the two windows listed in the application and that the applicant may return with additional applications for other units.