Historic Preservation Commission approves siding and brick repairs, sets conditions on materials

The Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 22 approved two certificates of appropriateness: replacement of deteriorated siding at 227 West 10th Street and brick repair and repointing at 831 Franklin Street. Both properties are contributing resources in local historic districts, and the commission attached conditions to both approvals to require matching materials and smooth finishes.

The siding proposal at 227 West 10th Street (COA2025-39), a gable-front house constructed in 1895 and within the Wabash Street local and Haskell & Barker National Historic Districts, was approved with the condition that replacement materials be smooth (not textured). Staff reported that the existing siding is not original and is deteriorated or missing in places; the applicant proposed James Hardie fiber-cement lap siding (HardiePlank) in a “cobblestone” beige color with white trim. The commission’s motion specified “replacement of existing asphalt shingle siding with the condition of smooth, not textured surface on all materials.” The motion carried with a voice vote.

The commission also approved COA2025-43 for 831 Franklin Street, an Italianate commercial building (c. 1880) in the Franklin Square local and Franklin Street commercial historic districts, to repair about five courses of damaged brick on the building’s south parapet and to repoint mortar. Staff recommended using brick that matches the existing material, color and texture as closely as possible and matching mortar joint size, profile and strength. The applicant told the commission that the plan is to salvage brick from non-visible areas and, if needed, source similar brick for repairs; the applicant indicated the mortar will likely be Type N. The motion approved brick replacement of like kind, salvaging brick from non-visible areas where possible, and specified Type N (or softer) mortar for repointing. The commission conducted a roll-call vote on this COA; members present voted in favor and the motion passed.

The meeting packet also listed four staff-reviewed reroof certificates that staff approved without full-board action: 818 Franklin (COA2025-38), 909 Franklin, 718–726 Franklin (COA2025-041), and 615 Spring Street (COA2025-542). Commission members noted these were staff approvals of like materials and in some cases color changes; no additional board action was taken.

Commission staff referenced the commission’s statement of purpose and cited Michigan City Municipal Code Sec. 62-2 (enforcement and penalties for violations of the historic preservation chapter) during the meeting’s opening remarks. Commissioners asked staff to verify final colors and trim profiles before fabrication for the siding project and to confirm mortar specifications and any non-visible brick sources for the parapet work.

Meeting participants who spoke on these agenda items included the applicant for 831 Franklin Street, who identified himself as Gerald Mitchell, the building owner; the commission’s preservation staff (Deb — historic preservation consultant/staff); and commissioners who asked clarifying questions during review. The commission’s staff will review final color and material samples as required by the approved motions.

Votes at a glance

- COA2025-39, 227 West 10th Street — Motion to approve siding replacement with condition that all materials be smooth (not textured). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion maker: commission member (name not specified in the transcript). Second: recorded in the meeting as provided. - COA2025-43, 831 Franklin Street — Motion to approve brick repair of like kind, salvage non-visible brick where possible, and use Type N (or softer) mortar for repointing. Outcome: approved (roll-call vote). Vote record (as read into the record): Miss Dalton — yes; Miss Tejeda — yes; Mr. Zimmer — yes; Miss Haddad — yes; Miss Bowman — absent; Miss Mazzi (Mapesy in transcript) — yes; Miss Perkert — absent; Miss Wilson — yes; Mr. Espar — yes.

Why it matters

Certificates of appropriateness determine whether exterior changes to buildings in local historic districts meet preservation guidelines. The commission’s conditions—smooth fiber-cement siding for the house and matched brick and mortar for the commercial building—set the standards contractors must meet before work proceeds. Commission staff said they will review final samples and details to ensure compliance before installation.

What’s next

Staff will finalize and document approved material samples and mortar specifications for both projects. The applicant for 831 Franklin Street indicated he will clean and reuse existing brick where feasible and will notify staff of any sourced bricks and the precise mortar mix if substitutions are necessary.