The Bay City Historic District Commission on Tuesday night approved multiple certificates of appropriateness for exterior work on historic properties and heard updates on local property‑maintenance cases.

Mary Ewald Sales, chair of the commission, called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and led votes on routine business, including approval of minutes from the Oct. 8 meeting.

Preservationist Joe Frost of the Michigan Historic Window Company addressed the commission during the public‑comment period, describing his work restoring historic windows and saying the trade helps preserve character‑defining features of Bay City homes. "Historic windows, as you know, are character defining features in our properties that are designated here in Bay City," Frost said, and added, "The windows that I touch, you know, feed my kids." He told the commission he will restore a window related to a later agenda item and provided contact information for follow‑up.

On formal actions, commissioners approved a certificate of appropriateness for case HDC 25‑26 to authorize porch/column and deck‑board work. The motion, moved from the floor, cited compliance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation (Standards 1–6, 9 and 10) and section 64‑11(c) of the city's historic preservation district regulations. Approval included a condition that any replaced columns and deck boards be exact replications of the existing features.

An application filed as HDC 25‑28 was withdrawn at the applicant’s request after staff discussed restoration options with the property owner and a contractor. Commission minutes record that the owner chose restoration over replacement and that restoration is the intent going forward.

Homeowners Ryan Wagner and Jessica Ness sought a certificate of appropriateness for case HDC 25‑30 to replace a deteriorated front door and storm door. Wagner told the commission the existing door has gaps that admit cold air in winter; an unidentified commissioner moved to approve the replacement under the Secretary of the Interior Standards and section 64‑11(c, and the motion passed.

Separately, an applicant seeking to convert 1001 Center Avenue into an eight‑room boutique bed‑and‑breakfast asked for approval to install an accessible ramp on the east side of the property. The applicant said a special‑use permit and a variance for parking had already been granted by the zoning board. Commissioners voted to approve HDC 25‑31, with the ramp’s balustrade and any turned spindles to be custom‑made to match existing porch details so the new work ties visually to historic fabric.

In other business, staff provided site‑visit and enforcement updates. Terry (staff) said a property that had been issued a notice-to‑proceed—referenced in discussion alternately as "2006th Street" or "206th Street"—was undergoing foundation work reported as maintenance, and staff will monitor any required HDC submissions. A separate property at 920 Van Buren with three porches needs significant repairs; staff said they expect a submission for the December meeting and noted training and staffing changes to help manage cases beginning Nov. 24.

Chair Sales raised concerns about occupants reportedly living without heat or water at a building she identified as 608 North Monroe and said she believed utilities were being tapped. Staff said court actions and inspections were pending, and offered to obtain court records and follow up with the commission.

The commission adjourned at 6:35 p.m.