Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Approvals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic district commission approves several certificates, postpones Westnedge windows application
Summary
The commission approved a certificate for a new double door at 530 West Kalamazoo, approved replacement windows for a two-unit fire-damaged building, granted a chimney-removal approval at 516 Douglas, and postponed the 814 South Westnedge window replacement application for more information.
Kalamazoo The Kalamazoo Historic District Commission on Tuesday approved multiple certificates of appropriateness for exterior work and postponed one application for additional information.
At 530 West Kalamazoo, a property owner seeking to renovate the building for office use asked to return the 1980s-era front door to its original location and replace it with a newer aluminum-and-glass double door. The commission found the change returned the opening to its prior condition and voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness; staff reminded the owner to obtain any required building permits and said formal paperwork would be issued by the end of the week.
A call-in participant, Scott Shepherd, described plans to install white Pella vinyl replacement windows at a two-unit building that had lost windows in a fire. Commissioners acknowledged that vinyl would not normally be preferred but agreed this is a unique case because the lower unit already had matching vinyl; the commission approved the application, again citing conformity with Secretary of the Interior standards.
Homeowner Elizabeth Hautrau and her partner Bernard described an emergency at 516 Douglas: a non-wood-burning chimney chase for a water heater had severe water damage and crumbling brick. Commissioners said consulting contractors and an engineer concluded the structural components were not salvageable and approved a certificate of appropriateness to remove the damaged chimney chase and patch the roof. Staff advised the applicants to secure building permits and said formal historic-approval paperwork would be sent by week's end.
The commission reviewed an application for two window replacements at 814 South Westnedge but found the packet lacked essential information: commissioners asked for condition photos, exact dimensions of existing and proposed windows, and a clearer location schematic to show how the windows relate to the building's fenestration. The commission voted to postpone the item until the Historic District Commission meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, and directed the applicant to submit the requested materials to the historic preservation coordinator by noon on Jan. 14, 2025.
Commissioners also adopted the 2025 meeting schedule and heard a coordinator's report: Luis said staff recorded 99 reviews this year (mostly roof approvals) and described a preference for outreach before enforcement for unpermitted work.
All motions were approved by roll call or voice vote as noted on the record; staff will follow up with formal paperwork and guidance on required building permits for each approved project.
