Historic District Commission

Members of the Commission ​

The Historic District Commission is a body appointed by the Mayor and City Council, per the mandates of Public Act 169, Michigan's Enabling Legislation regarding local historic districts. The Historic District Commission is made up of 7 members, each one knowledgeable about preservation practices, whether they are professionally engaged as preservationists or not. Each Commissioner is appointed to three-year terms. Anyone interested in serving on the Historic District Commission should fill out an ap​plication online. Anyone interested in contacting Commissioners should call Brittany Alexander at 734.794.6000, x 42665 or email Jill Thacher at jthacher@a2gov.org.

  • David Rochlen, Chair
  • Steve Kaplan, Vice Chair
  • Benjamin Calderon, Secretary​​
  • Jennifer Ross
  • Chip Smith
  • Jenna Carter
  • Sarah Nisbett

2026 Historic District Commission Meeting Schedule

The Historic District Commission typically meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00pm in City Council Chambers, City Hall, Second Floor. Please check Legistar for up-to-date meeting locations. The Historic District Commission continues to hold in-person hybrid meetings. Applicants, owners, and public commenters may attend virtually via Zoom or attend in City Hall. Regular meetings are broadcast for viewing online and cable television. 

Applications Due (in stream.a2gov.org) Review Committee Site Visit Meeting & Public Hearing
December 19, 2025 January 5, 2026 noon January 8, 2026
January 23, 2026 February 9, 2026 noon February 12, 2026
February 20, 2026 March 9, 2026 noon March 12, 2026
March 20, 2026 April 6, 2026 5:00pm April 9, 2026
April 24, 2026 May 11, 2026 5:00pm May 14, 2026
May 22, 2026 June 8, 2026 5:00pm June 11, 2026
June 18, 2026* July 6, 2026 5:00pm July 9, 2026
July 24, 2026 August 10, 2026 5:00 pm August 13, 2026
August 21, 2026  September 8, 2026* 5:00 pm September 10, 2026
September 18, 2026 October 5, 2026 noon October 8, 2026 
October 23, 2026  November 9, 2026 noon November 12, 2026
November 20, 2026 December 7, 2026 noon December 10, 2026

Historic District Commissioner Handbook

  • ​Historic District Commission Roster
  • Historic District Review Fees 
  • Historic District Commission Conduct of Hearings​
  • Local Historic Districts (Act 169 of 1970)
  • Open Meetings Act (267 of 1976)
  • MML Overview of the Michigan Open Meetings Act 
  • MML Michigan Open Meetings Act - Closed Meetings Minutes
  • ​The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
  • The Secretary of Interior's Standards: Rehabilitation as a Treatment and Standards for Rehabilitation
  • Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
  • City of Ann Arbor HDC Historic District Design Guidelines
  • Ann Arbor HDC Guardrail and Handrail Guidelines
  • Ann Arbor Historic District Sign Guidelines
  • Ann Arbor HDC Design Guidelines for Solar Panels
  • Ann Arbor HDC Guidelines for Window Evaluation, Repair, and Replacement
  • Bylaws of the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission
  • Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Organization of Board and Commissions 
  • Code of Ordinances 108 - Historic Preservation
Procedural (PDF)
  • ​HDC Review Flow Chart
  • Staff Approval Information
  • Work Done Without Permits
  • How to Appeal a Commission Decision
  • ​Tax Incentives for Preserving Historic Properties
  • State and Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits
  • Economic Hardship, Feasibility, and Related Standards in Historic Preservation Law
  • ​Ann Street
  • Broadway
  • Cobblestone Farm
  • Division Street
  • East Liberty 
  • East William Street 
  • Fourth/Ann
  • Liberty Street
  • Main Street
  • Northern Brewery
  • Old Fourth Ward
  • Old West Side
  • State Street 
  • Washtenaw/Hill

Updated 4/1/2025