Historic district commission clears demolition of arson-damaged house after owner describes structural collapse and insurance denial

Kalamazoo The Kalamazoo Historic District Commission on Tuesday approved a notice to proceed to demolish a property that a homeowner said was gutted in an arson fire and is structurally unsound.

The owner, identified in the hearing as Katrina, told the commission the August blaze left the house with ‘‘giant holes in the ceiling’’ and beams ‘‘completely torched’’ and said last week her insurance denied the claim. She described attempting to salvage the house, consulting a structural engineer and contractors, and concluding that ‘‘everything has to be replaced’’ and that the remaining facade is the only portion with any integrity.

The commission discussed alternatives, including selling the lot and using preapproved new-build plans maintained by the city, but members said the immediate concern was safety. Commissioner James Johnson (mover) said the facts presented indicated the structure was not salvageable and moved to approve a notice to proceed for demolition "as described in the application as it complies with criteria A and C." A second Commissioner (unnamed in the transcript) supported the motion, and the commission conducted a roll-call vote that approved the demolition.

Luis, the historic preservation coordinator, told the owner the commission's approval would be issued in writing by the end of the week and reminded her that separate building-permit approvals and any required permits from other city departments would still be necessary before work begins. The coordinator also noted the commission's rule that any future use of the site would return to the commission for review: "Whatever happens next also needs approval," he said.

Katrina told the commission she had explored state and federal grant options and had been in touch with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services regarding contesting the denial; she said those channels had not produced funding and that she was concerned about safety hazards, including people sleeping on the property's porch.

The commission set the approval to take effect under the standard timeline the coordinator cited (an initial six-month period with possible extensions on request), and staff advised the owner to coordinate demolition permits with the building department.

The commission's action focused on immediate public-safety and structural concerns; any subsequent work or proposed new construction on the lot will require a future commission review and formal approvals.