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Live reporting by David Palmer
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The Towns at Scripps Park in Woodbridge

David Palmer

I will be live-tweeting the #Detroit Historic District Commission (HDC) meeting starting at about 530pm today on behalf of #DetroitDocumenters covering public meetings @CityofDetroit for @wdet @CitizenDetroit @Detour_Detroit @freep

04:10 PM Feb 10, 2021 CST

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Information about this meeting, including the agenda and planned future meetings can be found on the @CityofDetroit website https://detroitmi.gov/events/regular-historic-district-commission-hdc-meeting-2102021

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Members of the HDC include: Katie Miller-Johnson (Chair) @katiemmi, Tiffany Franklin, James Hamilton, Richard Hosey (also a member of the Detroit Land Bank Authority Board of Directors @BuildingDet), Alease Johnson, Dennis Miriani

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Helpful info about the HDC can be found in the City of Detroit Historic District Commission What You Need To Know About Local Historic Districts Introduction and Permit Application Requirements: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2018-11/2018%20HDC%20Brochure.pdf

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Public meetings held within this DHC meeting include discussions on the following properties:
93-109 Seward –New Center HD https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/bridging-neighborhoods-program/property-listings/93-109-seward

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HDC Chair Katie Johnson also serves on the board of the Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects @AIADetroit https://aiadetroit.com/leadership/

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HDC meeting is supposed to start at 530pm. Much discussion among admins seeking to set up zoom so the public can view and participate. Ahh, the joys of @zoom_us and #technology

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#awkward @zoom_us #technology continues. HDC staff are expertly assisting on the fix https://t.co/Wii7tUMHBi

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Call to order @ 539pm. Rules of engagement for public comments. https://t.co/47MEUO0XaL

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Franklin absent, all others present. Quorum reached. https://t.co/IfhDzfWiNM

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Agenda revision: add Vernor and 3rd Street to consent agenda. Reference these properties on the HDC website.

A vacancy on the HDC will be reported to @MayorMikeDuggan open seat available now.

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Garrick Landsberg report: Staff has been on “workshare” since early 2020, reminder to HDC staff are paid to work 4 days but actually work 5. Improvement of staff reports has been a high priority.

Public comment has been added back to current and future HDC agendas.

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4000-4060 Vernor, Edward Potas applicant. Consent agenda addition to accept staff recommendations. Potas thanks the commission for moving ahead. https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/bridging-neighborhoods-program/property-listings/4000-4060-w-vernor

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3960 Third also added to consent agenda. Both applications are approved without objection. https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/bridging-neighborhoods-program/property-listings/3960-third-street

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Public hearing 1: https://t.co/sNJvjSvSZl

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Presentation by HDC staff member Audra Dye https://t.co/jmJMubY2Nc

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Cassandra Talley (Detroit) speaks on behalf of the development. https://t.co/YrgCfqNfj4

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Motion to approve application with staff requirements passes without objection.

HDC board member Tiffany Franklin joins the meeting.

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Public hearing 2- 858 Edison https://t.co/YWRGnpCPiD

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continued… Ms. Dye presenting. Referenced using historic Sanborn insurance maps to verify historic info: https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps

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Architect Charles McCrary speaks on behalf of the applicant https://t.co/0HPy4HDwNM

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About the Sanborn maps at the @librarycongress : “The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Online Checklist provides a searchable database of the fire insurance maps published by the Sanborn Map Company housed in the collections of the Geography and Map Division.” https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/about-this-collection/

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After extensive discussion on replacement windows, public comment is opened.

First speaker: Melanie Markowicz speaking on behalf of @PresDetroit. Notes updates are not consistent with current HDC standards. Concerns about massing, roof line on 3rd floor, & exterior changes.

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Eleanor Oaks, lives behind the home. Looking forward to new neighbors. Reservations about design, homes along Longfellow and Edison have similar backs making a clear sight line to the park, most of the neighboring homes have varied multi-story dimensions rather than what planned

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Tracy Stevenson, of Detroit: the HDC is here to preserve and maintain. Does not see a problem with replacing the windows if they are falling apart.

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Public comments close.

Chair Johnson: several challenges with this application.

Miriani: tends to agree with staff recommendations. Interior changes are not a reason to change exterior features.

Johnson: not clear on the dormer.

Hamilton: dormer window update not clear.

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Hamilton: side and back of new edition, should used platboard/horizontal siding to differentiate from original part of the house.

HDC approves proposed work with several conditions to be verified by staff. Motion carries without objection.

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1201 Washington Blvd Public Hearing https://t.co/2lllasp5Oc

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continued… presented by Ms. Dye https://t.co/W00Yr9gT7o

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Staff Observations from the previous tweet provide a good case study of the research, and various city committees/boards that developments must navigate.

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All portions of the application other than the demolition are deemed incomplete and per unanimous motion will not be considered in this meeting.

Public comment: Melanie Markowicz representing @PresDetroit concerned with demo of character defining features.

End public comment

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Brian Rebain with Kramer Design Group and John Olszewski @JohnO_Bedrock VP Construction @BedrockDetroit speaking as applicants.

Olszewski: working on development process for over 3 years. 170 extended stay about 220 apartments. Scheduled to open in December 2022… https://t.co/dKhmNkarI0

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… adding an alley would allow for back of the house access for the new restaurants, and extended stay. Parking is key here, with limited access to street parking. @RideDDOT concerns about blocking operational access with loading zone. No way to park on the street for offloading

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Olszewski: alley approvals not intended to “get around anybody” (oversight) but to not detract from the facade, and to tie into coming programming (hospitality & services).

Provides an incredibly detailed discussion of the challenges working underground in #Detroit alleys

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Miriani: would not allow demo 3 years ago. Today, a use other than a parking deck would be a win for the historic district. OK with losing the back 2 bays to activate Washington Blvd.

Johnson: open to demo 1 bay, but challenged with 2

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Olszewski: look at what happened with the First National Building if 2 bays are not allowed for demo.
Rebain: limited turn radius for trucks if restricted to 1 bay. Consider the dead end at State St as a limitation, need sufficient clearance to come and go; will activate alley

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Hamilton: would support 2 bay removal

Hosey: worried about trying to get to a minimum compromise (1 bay) versus reaching for a compelling interest (not clogging the streets)

Johnson: would submit 2 bay removal

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Hosey: motion to grant notice to proceed… approved without objection. @Detour_Detroit: Washington Street will be getting a newly activated alley in 2022ish! https://t.co/Gi9KYjqnuy

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continued… All of these materials can also be found on the HDC website. https://detroitmi.gov/events/regular-historic-district-commission-hdc-meeting-2102021 https://t.co/A6fcZXk98R

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… continued.

John Biggar, Integrity Building group on behalf of the applicant. OK with following staff recommendations. Makes the project more challenging, but it is a good compromise. https://t.co/OFjYRPECb1

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Public hearing, public comment.

Rhonda Adams: seeking clarity on how many of the contracts were from #Detroit developers. Is there a data source, or stipulations on Detroit developers getting these contracts.

Dir. Landsberg- comments should be restricted to the topic at hand.