Bay City Historic District Commission approves five certificates for window, door and porch work

The Bay City Historic District Commission approved certificates of appropriateness for five separate exterior projects at its April 22, 2026 meeting, voting to allow replacement windows and doors at multiple addresses and to permit a porch/step repair at 1207 McKinley subject to a condition on spindle/post profile and building-permit requirements.

The approvals covered: HTC 26-07 (106 Green Avenue), HDC 26-09 (600 North Monroe), HDC 26-11 (2215 Carol Road), HDC 26-12 (2480 Center Avenue) and HDC 2601 (1207 McKinley). Commissioners cited conformance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation and section 64-11C of the city’s historic-preservation regulations when moving and voting to approve the certificates.

Votes at a glance

• HTC 26-07 (106 Green Avenue): Applicant Matthew Bright said the project would remove 10 existing double-hung vinyl windows and replace them "like for like," repair or replace deteriorated porch railings with white vinyl railings and insulate a dormer and porch ceiling with "a net zero change to the appearance." The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness.

• HDC 26-09 (600 North Monroe): Tim Irwin said first-floor windows were not repairable and would be replaced with white vinyl double-hung units "the exact same size." The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness.

• HDC 26-11 (2215 Carol Road): Steve Labell of Wallside Windows described replacing 19 wood windows with vinyl copies that replicate existing grids and color; he described a company warranty that "they'll be replaced 100% free" for 35 years. The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness.

• HDC 26-12 (2480 Center Avenue): Craig Austin requested replacement of a warped hollow-core garage entry door with a flat vinyl door that will appear identical from the approach. The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness.

• HDC 2601 (1207 McKinley): Homeowner Macy Scott said an urgent repair to a wobbly handrail was needed after a near-slip; she said, "I can't fall," citing a bleeding disorder. The commission approved the repair with the condition that the spindles and the posts adjacent to the steps be of a turned profile to match the porch and that chosen profiles be administratively approved by staff. Commissioners and staff also noted that the building official has determined the stair geometry (rise/run and uniform tread) is not to code and that a building permit will be required for work affecting stairs and guardrails.

Meeting procedure and tallies

Motions to approve each certificate were moved and supported during the meeting and recorded as carried or carried unanimously in the meeting transcript. The transcript does not show roll-call vote tallies or identify which commissioner made each motion by name; minutes or staff follow-up may show specific vote counts.

What this means

The approvals allow homeowners and contractors to proceed with the described exterior work subject to the hearing record and any administrative conditions listed by staff. For the repair at 1207 McKinley, applicants were directed to coordinate with the building department to secure required permits and to submit proposed turned-post/spindle profiles to staff for administrative approval before construction.

The commission adjourned at 6:38 p.m.