Historic Districts Commission

The Historic Districts Commission is a nine member Commission that was established by Chapter 118, Section 118-61 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Rochester Hills, and pursuant to State of Michigan Public Act 169 of 1970, as amended. 

The Historic Districts Commission is regularly scheduled to meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM.  The meetings are held in the auditorium located on the lower level of the City Municipal Offices, 1000 Rochester Hills Drive. 

Click here to visit the Reference Desk section of our website to view Meeting Agendas and Minutes.  

Resident Workshop - Tax Credits
Thursday, April 10, 2008  (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM)

Location:  Rochester Hills Municipal Offices
               [Auditorium - Lower Level]
               1000 Rochester Hills Drive, Rochester Hills MI

For additional information, please click here. 

     
Historic Districts Ordinance:

The City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 118) was adopted to ensure the preservation and protection of historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering and cultural elements that reflect the City's history.  Historic preservation is considered a public purpose pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and Michigan's Public Act 169 of 1970, as amended. 

The Ordinance provides for the establishment, modification or elimination of Historic Districts, and defines the required review process for modification or construction of a resource within a designated historic district.  It also sets forth the standards and guidelines to be used for the basis of issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness, Notice to Proceed, or Denial of proposed work within a historic district.  

Click here to view a copy of the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 118). 

Review Procedure for Proposed Work:

Any proposed construction, addition, alteration, repair, moving, excavation or demolition within a designated historic district requires permission by the Historic Districts Commission.  The Historic Districts Commission must review and approve or deny applications and plans for proposed work.

When is a review required?

Before any work affecting the exterior appearance of a resource is performed within a historic district, the person proposing to do the work shall apply for and obtain permission from the Historic Districts Commission.  Permission is required regardless of whether a building permit is required.  The ordinance and review process apply only to work being performed on the exterior portion of a resource.  By ordinance, work is defined as:  any construction, addition, alternation, repair, moving, excavation or demolition. 

A review is required of all proposed work to buildings, structures or site features, historic or non-historic, located within a designated historic district.  Also, under certain circumstances and at the discretion of the City Council, review may be required for work to be performed by owners of a proposed (potential) historic district. 

When is a review not required?

Ordinary maintenance that does not change the exterior appearance of a resource does not constitute work by ordinance definition.  Ordinary maintenance is encouraged and does not require review.  (Work on interior arrangements, that does not change the exterior appearance of a resource, does not constitute work by ordinance definition). 

When and Where are Reviewed Performed?

The Historic Districts Commission reviews applications and plans for proposed work at their regularly scheduled meetings.  A person seeking to perform work on a resource within a historic district must submit a completed application and all other required materials to the Rochester Hills Planning & Development Department at least three (3) weeks prior to the Commission meeting. 

Information for the Commission:

A historic districts work review requires an application for  a Certificate of Appropriateness to be completed and submitted to the Planning & Development Department, along with the following:

1.    Site Plan.

2.    Plans and Elevations for Structures.

3.    Other Descriptive Material (such as samples, brochures, photographs, etc.)

Contact Information:

The Historic Districts Commissioners may be contacted through the Planning & Development Department. 

The Historic Districts Commission Liaison is Derek Delacourt, Deputy Director.  Mr. Delacourt may be contacted at (248) 656-4660, or by Email.

(This site is in the process of being updated.  Additional information will be available shortly - please check back)