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)