Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
Historic District Commission
A Step-By-Step Guide
Façade Improvement Projects - Applications must be received at least 10 days prior to a regularly
scheduled meeting. Approval is conditional upon meeting the requirements of the State Building Code.
It is recommended to:
Consult with staff at the Manistee County Historical Museum for design input
Review Guidelines that are applicable to the proposed project
Consult with the Historic District Commission via the Request for Design Assistance
Introductory Meeting with Staff or Museum Director/Curator - Staff will assist the applicant
by explaining the application form and Guidelines. Museum Director/Curator will research any
historical documentation available that could assist the applicant.
Submission of Application Applicant will submit their request to Staff who will review it to
make sure they have supplied all the necessary information including a site plan. If no
Additional information is needed Staff will process the request and $50 payment (Checks made
payable to ‘City of Manistee’).
Meeting Applicant shall present their request to the commission. The HDC will begin their
deliberation on the request. If the Commission determines that no additional information is
needed they will deliberate/take action on the request. The will either approve or deny the
request. If the Commission determines that additional information is needed they will
postpone their determination until their next regularly scheduled meeting or schedule a Special
Meeting.
Permit Staff will process permit and necessary paperwork.
Status Update Staff will reach out after 10 months to see project status. If progress is being
made though project not completed; HDC may extend certificate expiration date upon formal
review at a regularly scheduled HDC meeting.
Once project is completed the project will be reviewed and a Certificate of Compliance will be sent for
the applicants files.
(5/19)
1
2
3
4
5
Historic District Commission
Planning & Zoning
395 Third Street
Manistee, MI 49660
231.723.6041 (phone)
231.398.3526 (fax)
Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness
Standards
If the owner of the property is interested in receiving tax credits, APPLICATION MUST BE MADE FIRST TO THE STATE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE. If original features are found during renovation or demolition, a project must be
stopped until an emergency meeting of the Historic District Commission is held to determine if the feature is to be
incorporated into the project. If the applicant applied for Tax Credits the State Historic Preservation Office must be
notified also.
This box must be checked by the applicant indicating that they have read and understood the requirements for tax
credits and that a project may be stopped for review if original features are found during the course of the project. If
this box is not checked the application will not be processed.
Properties within the City of Manistee Historic District are subject to the City of Manistee Historic District Ordinance
(Chapter 1280 Historic District of the Code of Ordinances). The purpose of the ordinance is to preserve and protect our
historic resource. The Historic District Commission is established by the Ordinance, and has the authority to review and
approve all work permit applications and plans for exterior property improvements within the Historic District. Regular
building maintenance is permitted and encouraged; however, a work permit is required for all alterations, significant
repairs, new construction, demolition, moving of buildings, and all other activities affecting the exterior appearance of
buildings and properties within these districts. Please consult staff for guidelines and specific details on permissible
work.
Submission of Application
This application must be received by the City at least 10 days prior to a regularly scheduled monthly Historic District
Commission meeting. The meeting is held the first Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City
Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan unless it is a legal holiday. Applicants are strongly encouraged to conduct a
preliminary discussion with staff and attend the meeting to explain the proposed work.
Property Information
Address:
Parcel #
Applicant Information
Name of Owner or Lessee:
Address:
Phone #:
Cell#:
e-mail:
Name of Contractor (if applicable):
Address:
Phone #:
Cell#:
e-mail:
License Number:
Expiration Date:
Application Requirements
The following information must be included with this application. Additional information may be required. The applicant
must supply 12 copies of any items submitted that are in color.
Paint colors, Signage and Awnings are approved under a separate application.
The Historic District Commission requires a copy of the Building Plans for review and for file.
Current photo of the structure as seen from the street and where proposed work is to take place.
Sketch, drawing or plans drawn to scale to show details and specification of ornamental features.
Replacement doors, windows and lights require a copy of the specification sheet.
A completed Certificate of Appropriateness Checklist.
Replacement doors, windows and lights require a copy of the specification sheet.
Certificate of Appropriateness Page 1 of 3
Description of Work
New Construction
Rehabilitation/Restoration
Addition
Other (specify)
Describe the proposed project _____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Start Date _______________________ Proposed Completion Date ______________________
Incomplete requests will be returned to the applicant to supply needed information for review.
Authorization
I hereby certify that the proposed work is authorized by the owner of record and that I have been authorized by the
owner to make this application as his authorized agent, and we agree to conform to all applicable laws of the State
of Michigan. All information submitted on this application is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant Signature: ______________________________________ Date: _________________
By Signing this form the Applicant/Owner certifies that on or before the date of completion of proposed work,
my building will have a code compliant smoke detector or fire alarm system.
Office Use Only
Fee: $50.00 (Checks made payable to ‘City of Manistee’)
Receipt #
Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: ______________________
This drawing depicts many of the types of historical decoration found in the Manistee Historical Business District. While all
of the elements may not apply to your building this should assist in listing areas of renovation. The next page is a check list
to assist in the application process. Please check all that apply to your project and give a brief explanation of proposed
work. Use additional pages if necessary.
Cornice Pinnacle
Upper Cornice with Brackets, Dentils and Recessed Panels
Corbeled Brickwork
Upper Façade Pilaster
Window Hood
Window Sash
Window Sill
Lower Cornice
Transom Windows
Storefront Piers
Storefront Columns
Paneled Bulkheads
Paneled Wood Doors
Certificate of Appropriateness Page 2 of 3
Certificate of Appropriateness Checklist
Check all of the Renovations that Apply to your project and give a brief explanation of the project attach additional sheets
if necessary:
Example:
Cornice Pinnacle: N/A
X Upper Cornice Repair and replace with new materials. Wood will be used and painted to match exiting color
scheme.
X Corbeled Brickwork Clean using method prescribed in Preservation Brief #1 - Assessing Cleaning and Water-
Repellent Treatment for Historic Masonry Buildings.
Cornice Pinnacle
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Upper Cornice
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Corbeled Brickwork
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Upper Façade Pilaster
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Window Hood
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Upper Windows
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Lower Cornice
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Transom Windows
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Storefront Piers
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Storefront Columns
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Paneled Bulkhead
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
First Floor Windows
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Doors
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Other
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Certificate of Appropriateness Page 3 of 3