Council accepts Historic District Commission annual report; commissioners highlight cemetery preservation and Spicer House work

At the March 3 meeting Farmington Hills City Council voted to accept the Historic District Commission (HDC) 2024 annual report after a brief presentation by the commission’s recording secretary.

Alec Thompson, recording secretary for the HDC, presented highlights including work on the Spicer House roof and gutters, ongoing cemetery preservation at West and East cemeteries (volunteer work and a digitization effort involving Schoolcraft College), follow-up from the 2022 reconnaissance survey, and ongoing review of Certificate of Appropriateness requests for historic properties. Thompson also noted continuing coordination on the Sarah Fisher site and plans for educational outreach and programming in 2025.

Council accepted the report by motion and roll-call vote following a brief discussion. Council liaison comments thanked volunteers (including Boy Scout Troop 179) and Schoolcraft College students for record digitization work, and Mayor and councilors noted the commission’s outreach and preservation achievements.

Why it matters: The HDC’s work affects preservation of locally significant properties and cemeteries, informs certificate of appropriateness decisions, and guides how redevelopment projects with historic resources (like Sarah Fisher) are managed.

Details: The presentation described 2024 actions including roof preservation at the Spicer House (replacement of deteriorated cedar shake with a like-appearance synthetic that reduces maintenance), partial roof work on the Clarenceville Blacksmith House, shutter and window restorations at several properties, and extensive volunteer-led cemetery cleaning and stone resetting. The HDC also reported plans for volunteer outreach and workshops in 2025.

Quote: “There’ll be continued work to be done there,” Alec Thompson said of the Spicer House roof work, noting the change to a longer-lasting material to preserve the structure. Council liaison Nall thanked the commission and volunteers for their work, particularly on the Sarah Fisher property and cemetery efforts.

Vote: Council moved to accept the HDC 2024 annual report and the motion carried by roll-call vote without recorded opposition.

Ending: The council accepted the report and directed that it be placed on the consent agenda for formal acceptance; staff will continue to coordinate HDC priorities with city departments and volunteer groups.