Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byKelley Horton Modified over 6 years ago
1
Historic Preservation at Washtenaw County Government
Melissa Milton-Pung Washtenaw County Government Department of Community & Economic Development
2
A Historic Resource is at least 50 years old and could be . . .
Building: house, church, school, commercial business Structure: bridge, silo Site: cemetery, portage Object -bell, statue Open Space Shelters human activity Functional construction Location of significant event Small or large, styled or primitive Undeveloped land, landscaped area, or cultural landscape
3
Why are historic resources important?
Help to distinguish unique landscapes Enrich and add texture to our surroundings Protect the historic character and sense of place of the specific community Speak to us about how the land was used and shaped Serve as legacy and record of human impact on the landscape over time Embody energy of resources and craftsmanship already expended
4
Washtenaw County Heritage Tourism
Washtenaw County Heritage Tours – (2008 State-Level Award) Esek Pray Trail Greek Revival Architecture Historic Barns German Heritage Ann Arbor Modern Architecture Tour – 2011 Ann Arbor Hills Neighborhood with a2modern group City of Ann Arbor, Launched Fall 2011 as part of statewide Michigan Modern project Willow Run: Arsenal of Democracy Tour – 2014 Ypsilanti Area Web-based StoryMap (esri platform) World War II Era B-24 Production/Rosie the Riveter
5
National Register of Historic Places Pros:
Rigorous listing process provides a level of merit and validation National level recognition and vetting Requires a high level of research, documentation, writing, and photo- documentation. As a Certified Local Government, Washtenaw County reviews National Register nominations at the county level in coordination with State Historic Preservation Office Federal Tax Credit Program Designed for income-producing properties Residential properties do not qualify Soft costs associated with program to receive tax benefits Limited protection from projects with Federal funds or permits NR-listed and eligible properties are subject to “Section 106 Review”
6
National Register of Historic Places Cons:
National Register Listing protects properties in only limited ways: Section 106 Review is only for undertakings with Federal dollars or permits, not state, local, or privately funded work Review does not guarantee protection or immunity from negative impact Even if a property is listed on the National Register, it is still vulnerable to demolition with private or state/local dollars. Damaging alterations or demolition could be done by public or private actors No local oversight or design review for significant resources to protect Demolition or inappropriate alteration could still occur Washtenaw County encourages property owners to add a layer of protection with Local Historic Designation
7
Local Historic District Designation Pros:
Offers a hyperlocal option initiated by property owners Provides a higher level of protection than National Register listing, through a locally- enforced ordinance Legally protects all resources from demolition or inappropriate alterations through design review Helps stabilize and maintain property values in neighborhood Improves quality of life and encourages reinvestment in the community through the use of existing infrastructure
8
Local Historic District Designation Cons:
Takes some time to accomplish Once designated, local ordinance requires application for work by property owner Third party review will occur for proposed demolition or alterations Remains with property regardless of ownership “Delisting” rarely occurs Owner-occupied state tax credits are no longer available
9
Nancy Snyder, (Chair), Ann Arbor Paul Darling, Ann Arbor
2015 Roster of Commissioners Nancy Snyder, (Chair), Ann Arbor Paul Darling, Ann Arbor Peter Kelley, Ann Arbor/Whitmore Lake Alice Ralph, Ann Arbor Courtney Miller, Ypsilanti Leslie Ledbetter, Augusta Township James Mann, Ypsilanti Terry Cwik, Salem Township Alec Jerome, Dexter
10
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission
To protect the historic buildings, sites, objects, and landscapes of Washtenaw County and to promote a culture of historic preservation. Enabling Legislation PA 169 of 1970, The Local Historic Districts Act Historic Preservation Ordinance approved in 1974 Certified Local Government Agreement signed in 1986 Michigan’s largest and only county-wide CLG Serves 28 Units of Local Government CLG Status allows access to CLG Grant Funding for projects Thirteen Historic Districts County-wide Ann Arbor Township Freedom Township Manchester Township Salem Township Scio Township Superior Township Webster Township
11
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission Local Historic Districts
USS Washtenaw County Artifacts 220 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor Designated 1978; Rededicated 2011 Geer School West Ann Arbor Road, Superior Township Designated 1989 Popkins School Old Earhart Road, Ann Arbor Township Designated 1981
12
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission Local Historic Districts
Esek Pray House 8755 West Ann Arbor Road, Superior Township Designated 2000 Milton & Kittie Geer House 8605 West Ann Arbor Road, Superior Township Designated 2001 Gordon Hall Island Lake Road, Scio and Webster Townships Designated 2001
13
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission Local Historic Districts
Old Zion Parsonage South Fletcher Road, Freedom Township Designated 2003 William and Jane McCormick Farm West Ann Arbor Road, Superior Township Designated 2004 McMahon Springs Whitmore Lake Road, Ann Arbor Township Designated 2004
14
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission Local Historic Districts
Merriman Farm Buss Road, Manchester Township Designated 2004 East Delhi Bridge East Delhi Road over the Huron River, Scio Township Designated 2007 Conant Farm 5673 and 5681 Napier Road, Salem Township Designated 2008 Jarvis Salem Stone School 7991 N. Territorial Road, Salem Township Designated 2013
15
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission
Present HDC Initiatives Include: Community Education Historic Markers Program (re-documentation) Historic District Study Committees (new designations) Local Historic District Oversight Certificates of Appropriateness issued based on evaluation against the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards Small number of architect-reviewed design sessions each year to approve, deny, issue a notice to proceed, or postpone for evaluation High first-time approval rates due to professional technical support Staff support available year round
16
Next Steps & Options Baseline Documentation & Survey
We will need this material for any next steps Cull records from private hands, local archives, and public sources Neighbors Decide on Preferred Action Neighborhood History Documentation Project National Register Nomination Local Historic Designation Other options?
17
National Register Nomination Process
Process Summary Property owners approach County staff for consultation Property owner(s) individually or in a group conduct research based on: Age Integrity Significance at local, state, and national levels for: Association with significant events or history Presence or relation to historically significant people Examples of significant architectural styles or architects Potential to yield data (usually archaeological) County staff provides advice and assistance; coordinates with State Historic Preservation Office for submission Keeper of the National Register makes final decision Full process outlined at: Process typically takes between 12 months and 2 years to complete
18
Establishment of Local Historic Districts
Process Summary Property owners approach County staff for consultation Property owners petition Township for designation consideration Township Board of Trustees requests the HDC to conduct an evaluation of historic resource(s) on its behalf County and Township execute a contract to allow research Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (BOC) appoints a Historic District Study Committee Committee consists of: County staff, property owners, and local citizens with demonstrated interest After research and documentation, the Committee produces a Preliminary Report, and additional input is sought at a Public Hearing Preliminary Report is reviewed by local and state officials Study Committee has up to one year after the Public Hearing to present a Final Report and draft resolution to the BOC, which may vote to create a local historic district Process typically takes between 12 months and 2 years to complete
19
Melissa Milton-Pung Washtenaw County Government
Office of Community & Economic Development 415 W. Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 (734)
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.