Planners Debate Artificial Siding for Buildings on Island
By Karen Gould

Remodeling work and plans for a third story at the Village Inn Restaurant on Astor Street received approval from the Mackinac Island Planning Commission in December and the city's architect in January. (Drawing courtesy of HopkinsBurns of Ann Arbor)

A hole found in Mackinac Island's historic district ordinance sparked debate during the January 8 Planning Commission meeting and had members agreeing to tap into state resources for advice on the use of artificial siding on Island buildings. Commissioners questioned whether the use of fiber cement siding, which looks like wood, is acceptable in historic districts.

The city's ordinance distinguishes between siding on commercial and residential buildings, yet makes no other siding requirements for buildings in the historic district.

The subject came up during a review of construction plans submitted by city architect Rick Neumann about the siding proposed on the old medical center building on Market Street.

The structure was built in 1956 and is a non-contributing building to the Island's National Historic Landmark designation. The building is, however, located in the historic district and the city is spending $300,000 to remodel it and convert it to police housing. The construction project includes replacing the vinyl siding with fiber cement siding.

In preparation for new siding, plywood covers Mackinac Island's old medical center on Market Street. The building is being converted to housing for Island police. The fiber cement siding planned for the historic district structure raised concerns of city planners Tuesday, January 8.

This was the second proposal received. As Mr. Neumann noted in his review, the city initially planned to replace the old vinyl siding with new vinyl siding. Following objections from planners, the city modified the plans to include fiber cement siding.

Mr. Neumann's review addressed the change from vinyl to cement siding, although he did not mention the potential use of wood, said commissioner Trish Martin.

The only guidance planners have from the city ordinance is the requirement of wood siding on the first floor of commercial buildings. The ordinance reads, "All exterior wall surfaces on the first floor of buildings accessible to the public shall be clad in wood to reflect a traditional/historic appearance."

The architectural review process also lacks specifics and requires "that the majority of all exterior wall surfaces shall be covered with materials that provide the appearance of wood shingles or horizontal lap siding."

During the meeting, some commissioners said the fiber cement siding has the same appearance as wood and the ability to retain paint. Paint loss is a problem faced by some Island buildings, including the library and Stuart House. Other commissioners support the use of wood and said it should be required in the historic district.

Dennis Dombroski, city building inspector, said commissioners could see an example of the fiber cement siding in the Millennium addition on the east side of Grand Hotel, and the front of the Jaunting Cart on Market Street, which is also in the historic district and which was approved last year.

While voting to place Mr. Neumann's architectural review of the structure on file, Commissioner Mary Dufina said she is against the use of fiber cement siding and that the city has an opportunity to set an example.

"It seems to me the city has a chance to show its colors as to historic treatment," she said. "I think this is something the planning commission should look at and then make some sort of recommendation to the city."

Commissioner Kay Hoppenrath, who owns the property next to the police housing structure, said the fiber cement board may be an improvement as the city continues to struggle with keeping paint on buildings.

"I would far rather see this board go on this building, considering the history of the city main- taining some of their properties," said Mrs. Hoppenrath, who is also a member of the library board. "Come down and look at the library."

Mr. Dombroski agreed, "You can't keep paint on these buildings."

The commission may want to convey to the city that wood should be required in the historic district, city attorney Tom Evashevski said.

"What are we trying to do with architectural view?" asked Mr. Evashevski of the Planning Commission. "Are we more concerned with appearance, or are we interested in historical accuracy beyond appearance. Do we really care about whether it is wood, in fact, or whether it looks like wood?"

Commissioner Michael Straus volunteered to contact the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and seek advice on how buildings should be treated in the historic district, including the remodeling of this building.

That office approved such siding for the St. Ignace Museum of Obibwa Culture, which is designated a historic building.

Commissioners agreed to continue discussions on the matter at their February meeting.

Architectural review of the Village Inn remodeling was placed on file by the commission. Commissioners will send a letter to building owner Dennis Cawthorne reminding him the height restriction for the building is 40 feet. The commission was told the building will be 39 feet high, but the submitted

plans don't say. Mr. Neumann said the plans preserve the general appearance of the building's first and second floors.

Plans are to remodel the second floor and convert one apartment to an office that will have access to a third floor addition of a penthouse apartment. Wood siding would be used on the addition. This plan will not require any additional connections to the city's wastewater facility.

"The appearance of the enlarged and renovated building would be an appropriate treatment of this historic building," said Mr. Neumann in his report, "and consistent with the historic ambiance of the Island."

The building was constructed on a vacant lot in 1981.

City Council had granted Mr. Cawthorne a use permit at its January 2 meeting to allow the front deck to encroach approximately three feet onto the street.

Robert G. Benser received permission to make changes to two of three condominiums he is building on Mission Street. New plans will eliminate railings on the porches of Unit 1. Mr. Benser, who attended the meeting, also will modify the look of the second unit. The floor plan will remain the same, with changes to the exterior.

"I just thought," he said, "after talking to neighbors and other people, it would be nice to really have the same buildings, pretty much the same size, just architecturally look different."

The Planning Commission next meets Tuesday, February 12, at 3 p.m. on the second floor of Community Hall.