The fire destruction of commercial buildings this spring has changed the scope of an attempt to have some part of the Village of Lake Orion declared an Historic District.
Steve Auger, chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, told village council members on July 12, the state is telling the DDA it probably doesn’t have enough commercial buildings now to qualify for the designation.
‘The historic district needs to expand,? he said.
The State Historic Preservation Office had advised the village needs to include residential properties in its application.
‘It’s been determined we would probably get it (historic designation) if we would put residences in it,? LO Downtown Coordinator Becky Goodman said.
Members of the Orion Historical Society started work on an application for historic designation about five years ago. The project stalled with the increasing complexity of work.
Members of the Main Street design committee decided to start the application process again based upon the recommendation of a 2003 Program Assessment Report from the National Main Street Center.
Lake Orion is one of a small number of communities picked by Oakland County to participate in the Main Street Program. The program offers consultants and technical advice on how to improve a downtown area.
Earlier this year, village officials determined experts should be hired to finish the historic designation process. The DDA board in June authorized issuing a Request for Proposals to do the work.
Up to $35,000 in DDA funds was allotted to pay for a consultant. Expanding into residential areas could create a financial program for the village.
‘This creates a bit of a dilemma in that the residential portion of the village that could be considered historic is not in the DDA district. ‘LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel said. ‘DDA funds can’t legally be used for any part of the project that would include properties outside the DDA area.?
Van Tassel believes it would be unwise, maybe illegal to issue a RFP when funding for part of it hasn’t been requested or approved..
Because the property lines of the historic district have yet to be determined, Van Tassel said it wouldn’t be fair to bidders to change the scope of work after bids had been received.
Village attorney Gary Dovre suggested, and the council agreed, that the RFP be broken down into two phases. The first phase would identify the boundary lines of the historic district. The second would be a full workup of the application.
Another glitch in the application process has been a proposed communication tower to be installed behind the LO Police Department on East Flint Street.
Because of its height (185 feet), the Michigan SHPO felt ‘the effect will specifically introduce visual, atmosphere or audible elements that diminish the integrity of the property’s significant historic feature.?
Oakland County is installing towers like this one around the county to improve communication links with local police entities and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
The county hired Great Lakes Archaeological Research Center to do an architecture/history survey. The company determined ‘the integrity of the commercial area has been diminished by numerous alterations to the buildings.?
Residential buildings were looked at by GLARC and it was determined ‘that many of the residential properties retain high integrity and have potential to be contributing and pivotal properties to an historic district.?
The report indicated if such a district is determined to be eligible, then the communication tower would take an adverse effect on these properties.
Property owners in an historical district can receive tax credits for improvements to their buildings.
Councilman Tom Albert, who hasn’t been in favor of establishing an historical district, wanted to know how much interest there is in doing it.
‘Will people want to do this?? he asked. ‘It seems like we’ll be spending a lot of money. Will it be worth it?
‘Being in an historic district isn’t restrictive, it’s a tool,? councilman Ken Van Portfliet said. ‘You have to follow some rules only if you want tax credits.?
According to Van Portfliet, the village council could pass an ordinance that would govern an historic district, but it ‘could be very simple or very detailed.? It would be up to the council.
He believes establishing an historic district will attract people who have a passion for fixing up homes. ‘Our goal is trying to get some of them (buildings) improved. Some are now chopped up into rentals,? Van Portfliet added.