Minutes - Historic District Commission

301 E. Huron Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

http://a2gov.legistar.com/

Calendar.aspx

City of Ann Arbor

Formal Minutes - Draft

Historic District Commission

Thursday, May 14, 2026

7:00 PM

Larcom City Hall, 301 E Huron St, Second

floor, City Council Chambers

This meeting will be broadcast live on CTN Cable Channel 16, ATT Channel 99, and

online at a2gov.org/watchCTN

To speak at public comment call 206-337-9723 or 213-338-8477 or Toll Free 877-853-5247

or 888-788-0099 Enter Meeting ID: 965 3669 9762

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Rochlen called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM stating:

Welcome to the Thursday, May 14, 2026, in-person and electronic

(hybrid) meeting of the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission. Public

comment will be via in-person, via Zoom or via telephone. To speak

during any of the public comment opportunities please call 877-853-5247

(Toll Free) or 213-338-8477 and enter meeting ID 965 3669 9762. This

information is also available on the published agenda, in the public

notices section of the city website, and on the broadcast of this meeting

on CTN channel 16, AT&T channel 99, and online at

www.a2gov.org/watchctn.

Here's an overview of the sequence of events for each hearing on the

agenda. First, Planning Services staff will deliver their report followed by a

report from this month's review committee commissioners. Then, the

applicant will provide their presentation and answer any questions from

the commissioners. At that point, the hearing will be open to the public

comment. Following public comment, the commission will make a motion

and discuss the application. Finally, the approval from a majority of

commissioners present will be required for a certificate of

appropriateness to be granted.

ROLL CALL

Historic Preservation Coordinator and Principal Planner Jill Thacher

called the roll.

6 -

Present:

Absent:

Chair David Rochlen, Jennifer Ross, Benjamin Calderon,

Steve Kaplan, Sarah Nisbett, and Jenna Carter

1 - Chip Smith

Others present:

Senior Planner, Mariana Melin-Corcoran

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

PUBLIC COMMENT - (3 Minutes per Speaker)

Seeing no speakers at this time Chair Rochlen closed the Public

Comment.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

HEARINGS

26-0785

F-1.

HDC26-0028; 421 W Washington St, addition porch; OWSHD

421 W Washington SR w Attachments.pdf

Attachments:

STAFF PRESENTATION:

Senior Planner, Mariana Melin-Corcoran presented the staff report. [See

attached in agenda packet.]

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Commissioner Kaplan and Commissioner Calderon visited the site as

part of their review. They reported their findings and recommendations to

the Commission.

PUBLIC HEARING:

The Applicant was present in person to respond to the Commission's

inquires. Noting no speakers, the Chair declared the public hearing

closed.

[For a complete record of the discussion, please see available video

format.]

Moved by Commissioner Nisbett, seconded by Commissioner

Kaplan,

That the Commission issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the

application at 421 West Washington Street, a contributing property

in the Old West Side Historic District, to restore the wrap-around

front porch, remove the non-original siding, and construct a

two-story rear addition, subject to the conditions that 1) the decking,

skirting, and stairs of the porch be wood and approved by staff

before building permits may be issued, and 2) the original siding be

repaired and replaced with matching materials and dimensions only

where necessary.

The motion was amended to include a second-story addition on the

east elevation.

Motion as amended:

For the front porch, siding, and rear addition:

I move that the Commission issue a Certificate of Appropriateness

for the application at 421 West Washington Street, a contributing

property in the Old West Side Historic District, to restore the

wrap-around front porch, remove the non-original siding, construct

a two story rear addition, and a second-story addition on the east

elevation, on the conditions that 1) the decking, skirting, and stairs

of the porch are wood and approved by staff before building permits

may be issued and 2) the original siding is repaired and replaced

with matching materials and dimensions only where necessary. As

conditioned, the work is compatible in exterior design, arrangement,

texture, material and relationship to the rest of the building and the

surrounding area and meets The Secretary of the Interior’s

Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating

Historic Buildings, in particular Standards 2, 9, and 10 and the

guidelines for building site, new additions, entrances and porches,

and wood, as well as the Ann Arbor Historic District Design

Guidelines for all additions; additions to historic residential

structures; and wood siding, trim, and architectural details.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see the available video recording.]

Moved by Commissioner Rochlen seconded by Commissioner

Kaplan

I move that the Commission POSTPONE the application at 421 West

Washington Street, a contributing structure in the Old West Side

Historic District, to the June 11, 2026 Historic District Commission

meeting.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see available video format.]

On a voice vote the vote was as follows with the Chair declaring the

motion carried. Vote 6-0.

6 -

Yeas:

Chair Rochlen, Ross, Calderon, Kaplan, Nisbett, and

Carter

Nays:

1 - Smith

Absent:

F-2.

26-0784

HDC26-0030; 311 Second St, windows chimney; OWSHD

311 Second SR w Attachments.pdf

Attachments:

STAFF PRESENTATION:

Senior Planner, Mariana Melin-Corcoran presented the staff report. [See

attached in agenda packet.]

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Commissioner Kaplan and Commissioner Calderon visited the site as

part of their review. They reported their findings and recommendations to

the Commission.

PUBLIC HEARING:

The Applicant was present in person to respond to the Commission's

inquires. Noting no speakers, the Chair declared the public hearing

closed.

[For a complete record of the discussion, please see available video

format.]

Moved by Commissioner Ross seconded by Commissioner

Calderon

For the windows and door:

I move that the Commission issue a certificate of appropriateness

for the application at 311 Second Street, a contributing property in

the Old West Side Historic District, to replace five windows and a

door and to install two new windows on the rear elevation. As

proposed, the work is compatible in exterior design, arrangement,

texture, material and relationship to the rest of the building and the

surrounding area and meets The Secretary of the Interior’s

Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating

Historic Buildings, in particular standards 1, 2, 9 and 10 and the

guidelines for building site and windows, as well as the Ann Arbor

Historic District Design Guidelines for windows and residential

doors.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see available video format.]

On a voice vote the vote was as follows with the Chair declaring the

motion carried. Vote 6-0.

6 -

Yeas:

Chair Rochlen, Ross, Calderon, Kaplan, Nisbett, and

Carter

Nays:

1 - Smith

Absent:

Moved by Commissioner Ross seconded by Commissioner

Calderon

For the chimney:

I move that the Commission issue a certificate of appropriateness

for the application at 311 Second Street, a contributing property in

the Old West Side Historic District, to remove the chimney. As

proposed, the work is compatible in exterior design, arrangement,

texture, material and relationship to the rest of the building and the

surrounding area and meets The Secretary of the Interior’s

Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating

Historic Buildings, in particular standards 1, 2, 9 and 10 and the

guidelines for roofs, as well as the Ann Arbor Historic District

Design Guidelines for roofs.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see available video format.]

On a voice vote the vote was as follows with the Chair declaring the

motion denied. Vote 2-4.

2 - Chair Rochlen, and Kaplan

4 - Ross, Calderon, Nisbett, and Carter

1 - Smith

Yeas:

Nays:

Absent:

F-3.

26-0783

HDC26-0042; 217 N Fifth Ave, egress window; OFWHD

217 N Fifth SR egress well.pdf

Attachments:

STAFF PRESENTATION:

Principal Planner, Jill Thacher presented the staff report. [See attached in

agenda packet.]

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Commissioner Kaplan and Commissioner Calderon visited the site as

part of their review. They reported their findings and recommendations to

the Commission.

PUBLIC HEARING:

The Applicant was present in person to respond to the Commission's

inquires. Noting no speakers, the Chair declared the public hearing

closed.

[For a complete record of the discussion, please see available video

format.]

Moved by Commissioner Kaplan seconded by Commissioner Carter

I move that the Commission issue a certificate of appropriateness

for the application at 217 North Fifth Street, a contributing property

in the Old Fourth Ward Historic District, to construct a new egress

window and well on the south elevation near the front of the house,

on the following condition: that the width and horizontal depth of

the egress well are the minimum required to span the width of the

wall opening while meeting code requirements. As conditioned the

work is compatible in exterior design, arrangement, texture, material

and relationship to the rest of the building and the surrounding area

and meets The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for

Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings,

in particular standards 1, 9 and 10 and the guidelines for building

site, windows and health and safety, as well as the Ann Arbor

Historic District Design Guidelines for windows and safety codes.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see available video format.]

On a voice vote the vote was as follows with the Chair declaring the

motion carried. Vote 6-0.

6 -

Yeas:

Chair Rochlen, Ross, Calderon, Kaplan, Nisbett, and

Carter

Nays:

1 - Smith

Absent:

F-4.

26-0782

HDC26-0043; 332 E William, pave parking; EWSHD

332 E William SR paving.pdf

Attachments:

STAFF PRESENTATION:

Principal Planner, Jill Thacher presented the staff report. [See attached in

agenda packet.]

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Commissioner Kaplan and Commissioner Calderon visited the site as

part of their review. They reported their findings and recommendations to

the Commission.

PUBLIC HEARING:

The Applicant was present in person to respond to the Commission's

inquires. Noting no speakers, the Chair declared the public hearing

closed.

[For a complete record of the discussion, please see available video

format.]

Moved by Commissioner Kaplan seconded by Commissioner

Nisbett

I move that the Commission issue a certificate of appropriateness

for the application at 332 E William Street, a contributing property in

the East William Historic District, for new work and work already

begun to pave a driveway and rear parking area with concrete. As

proposed, the work is compatible in exterior design, arrangement,

texture, material and relationship to the rest of the building and the

surrounding area and meets The Secretary of the Interior’s

Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating

Historic Buildings, in particular standards 1, 2, 5, 9 and 10 and the

guidelines for district or neighborhood setting and masonry as well

as the Ann Arbor Historic District Design Guidelines for landscape

features.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see available video format.]

On a voice vote the vote was as follows with the Chair declaring the

motion carried. Vote 6-0.

6 -

Yeas:

Chair Rochlen, Ross, Calderon, Kaplan, Nisbett, and

Carter

Nays:

1 - Smith

Absent:

F-5.

26-0781

HDC26-0044; 813 E Ann St, egress window, OFWHD

813 E Ann SR w Attachments.pdf

Attachments:

STAFF PRESENTATION:

Senior Planner, Mariana Melin-Corcoran presented the staff report. [See

attached in agenda packet.]

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Commissioner Kaplan and Commissioner Calderon visited the site as

part of their review. They reported their findings and recommendations to

the Commission.

PUBLIC HEARING:

The Applicant was present in person to respond to the Commission's

inquires. Noting no speakers, the Chair declared the public hearing

closed.

[For a complete record of the discussion, please see available video

format.]

Moved by Commissioner Carter seconded by Commissioner Kaplan

I move that the Commission issue a certificate of appropriateness

for the application at 813 East Ann Street, a contributing property in

the Old Fourth Ward Historic District, to construct a new egress

window and well on the east elevation near front of the house. The

work is compatible in exterior design, arrangement, texture, material

and relationship to the rest of the building and the surrounding area

and meets The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for

Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings,

in particular standards 1, 9 and 10 and the guidelines for building

site, windows and health and safety, as well as the Ann Arbor

Historic District Design Guidelines for windows and safety codes.

Commission Discussion:

The Commission took into consideration the presented application

and discussed the matter. [For a complete record of the discussion,

please see available video format.]

On a voice vote the vote was as follows with the Chair declaring the

motion carried. Vote 6-0.

6 -

Yeas:

Chair Rochlen, Ross, Calderon, Kaplan, Nisbett, and

Carter

Nays:

1 - Smith

Absent:

NEW BUSINESS

G-1.

26-0780

Staff Approvals List

Staff approvals memo paving.pdf

Attachments:

Consideration of the staff approvals list was deferred to the next month’s

meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Staff noted that the meeting minutes were not included in the original

agenda packet. Consideration of the April 9, 2026 HDC meeting minutes

was postponed to the Thursday, June 11, 2026 HDC meeting.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Principal Planner Jill Thacher noted that the Awards Committee met this

month and provided a brief report. Commissioner Nisbett noted that she

also attended the committee meeting and provided a brief report. Mrs.

Thacher stated that the awards presentation will take place on July 20,

2026.

ASSIGNMENTS

J-1.

26-0779

Review Committee: Monday, June 8, 2026 at 5pm, for the Thursday, June

11, 2026 Regular Meeting

Commissioners Steve Kaplan and Benjamin Calderon volunteered for

the Monday, June 8, 2026 HDC Review Committee.

REPORTS FROM STAFF

Staff reported that there were no concerns to report.

CONCERNS OF COMMISSIONERS

Commissioners reported that there were no concerns to report.

COMMUNICATIONS

Received and filed.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:23 pm.

David Rochlen, Chairperson

Jill Thacher, HDC Staff Coordinator/Planner

Brittany Alexander, Administrative Assistant

These meetings are typically broadcast on Ann Arbor Community Television Network Comcast 16 /

AT&T 99 live, and recent meetings can also be streamed online from the CTN Video On Demand page of

the City's website https://a2gov.org/watchctn.

The complete record of this meeting is available in video format at https://a2gov.org/watchctn, or is

available for a nominal fee by contacting CTN at (734) 794-6150.