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Ann Arbor HDC approves paving of gravel driveway at 1223 Traver Street
Summary
The Ann Arbor Historic District Commission voted to grant a certificate of appropriateness to pave the existing gravel driveway at 1223 Traver Street, finding the work compatible with district guidelines and citing reversibility and safety from winter icing as reasons for approval.
The Ann Arbor Historic District Commission voted to issue a certificate of appropriateness allowing the paving of an existing gravel driveway at 1223 Traver Street, a contributing property in the Broadway Historic District.
Planning services staff recommended approval, saying the proposed paving would not abut the house, the work would be reversible, and it addressed safety concerns about winter icing and pedestrian slip hazards. Staff anchored its recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (Standards 1, 2 and 10) and the Ann Arbor Historic District design guidelines.
The property—identified in the packet as the circa-1840s Jacob Armstrong House—has previously received approvals from the commission for raising the house, adding basement egress windows, and a small rear addition. The applicant’s representative, Mitch Gerzach, joined by Zoom and speaking for the owner (Tammy), confirmed the planting strip between the house and the driveway will remain and had no additional comments.
Commissioner Caplan moved to approve the application as recommended; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Carter. After brief discussion about whether some driveway paving could be shifted to staff-level approvals in the future, the chair called for a voice vote. The chair announced the motion carries and the application was approved.
The commission record notes staff emphasized the driveway would align with the existing curb cut and not visually overwhelm the site; staff will verify permit plans match the features described at the hearing.
