Northville Barn Issue Continues to Build Controversy

A Northville Historic District Commission special study session held Wednesday night, to discuss an aged barn at Randolph Street, provided some praise regarding the refurbishment from commission members.

But, after the presentation concluded, the project received a negative response from a gathering of residents at the meeting.

The refurbishment of the barn, which is located at the corner of Linden and Randolph streets, is part of an ongoing project by Mike Miller of Greenstone Homes.

The barn was built in the 1940s and has some structural issues that were created when an addition was made to the side sometime in the ensuing years. The plan to fix it includes reinforcing the structure, reinforcing the roof, re-roofing, switching out damaged white wood siding with taupe Hardie plank, adding a pitched roof over a door and adding a window, according to Walter Coponen, the architect who designed the project.

“There was no mold inside the barn, which was good news,” he said. “If you look at the barn, there’s a 3 percent shift – we will add bracing to correct that.”

But the changes, which will essentially make the barn match a taupe-colored house on the property, drew the ire of several audience members, and gave at least one commissioner pause.

“I do think some of the changes will change [the barn’s] character,” said Commissioner Jennifer Luikart.

The small barn has been a point of contention for several months. Miller had originally petitioned the commission to tear down the structure, but agreed to try to save it after members of the community opposed its demolition.

The plan presented Wednesday restores the barn, but a handful of residents voiced a range of opinions. Some said that the commission failed to protect the community from the project, that the barn will be changed so much that it will appear like any other garage. Others went so far as to say that the Historic District Commission should be disbanded.

Both Miller and Coponen took offense to the comments.

“It’s costing me [to refurbish] the barn than it is to just tear it down,” he said. “We have listened to everyone’s concerns; we’ve done everything we were asked. I’m shocked at some of the comments.”

One resident, Denise Nash, who has lived at Dunlap and Linden streets for 26 years, said she believes there’s a disconnect between what people who have lived in the historic area expect, and what new residents want in a home.

“I think that what we have is a culture clash,” she said. Nash added that she’s seen many homeowners make changes and when they move, they leave the people left behind with homes that are less historic than they were.

Many residents expressed that they would feel more comfortable if the barn was restored – but not to match the house. Two concessions that Miller and Coponen agreed to make were: 1) not to add a planned hayloft door and 2) discuss the barn with a barn restoration specialist suggested by a resident.

Commissioner Mark Vernacchia said the commission’s powers are limited, and that by the time the issue came before them, approvals from other commissions were in place, making it difficult to stop. And, he was disappointed in comments about the commission.

“I can understand the comments, but I find the comments frustrating,” he said.

The barn issue will come before the commission again at its regular meeting in June when Coponen will present a new plan that incorporates the changes discussed Wednesday.