• Terry Bennett, Chairperson
• Melissa McLaughlin, Vice Chairperson
• David Curtis
• Stephen Foley
• Rex Harvey
• Kathy Martin
• Ralph Welton

Staff Members

• Gregg King, 734/394-5314

Historic District Commission

Overview

The Canton Township Historic District Commission was formed by Township Ordinance, Chapter 90, Sections 90-1 through 90-97. Its purpose is to preserve historically significant areas of the Township which are designated by the Township Board of Trustees as Historic Districts.

The Commission is responsible for ensuring that changes proposed in historic districts preserve important historic characteristics and that all work conforms with "The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings".

This is done through the Township building permit process. When a proposed change to the exterior of a property is submitted to the Township’s Building and Inspection Division it is referred to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Commission’s approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness allows the Building and Inspection Division to proceed with a review of the permit.

The Commission is made up of seven Canton residents who are appointed by the Township Supervisor subject to the approval of the Board.

Certificate of Appropriateness Application Information

Congratulations, you are embarking on a project to continue to preserve and enhance your historic property, and a community treasure. Below is information designed to help you through the process of obtaining approval from the Canton Historic District Commission for your project.

• Obtain from the Community Services Division at Canton Township Hall an application form or download the form now. This form will ask you several questions concerning your project. Fill this out as completely as you can. This information is important for the Commissioners to evaluate your proposal.
• You must also get a copy of the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. This will give you guidance on the approved methods of maintaining your historic property. The Canton Historic District Commission uses the Secretary of Interior Standards as our guide when evaluating your project for a Certificate of Appropriateness. You will also be given a copy of the Canton Historic District Ordinance, which applies to all designated properties in Canton.
• You may request a pre-meeting conference with several members of the Commission to give you guidance on your proposal, and its appropriateness to your property. This is not a pre-approval, but rather an opportunity for the Commission and you to discuss the project.
• The Commission has available for you reference materials on maintaining and renovating historic properties. These include information available at the Canton Library of 10 years of back issues from the "Old House Journal". The "Preservation Directory", available at the Museum contains information on supplies, materials, contractors, etc, located in Michigan. The Museum also contains information on most of the historic buildings in Canton gathered from surveys conducted over the years, as well as historic pictures of many of the buildings. This information can be useful in determining the way your building should look, supplies available, and people who can do the work for you.
• Examples of work that require a Certificate of Appropriateness: Roofs, Windows, Doors, Porches, Outbuildings (garages, garden sheds, etc.), Fencing, Additions, Demolitions (full or partial), Siding (synthetic, wood, shingle etc.), Decks. Generally speaking, anything that affects the exterior appearance of your historic property. All interior projects that don't affect the exterior of the property are unaffected by the current ordinance.
• Please feel free to contact any of the members of the Commission or the Community Services Division of Canton to discuss your project and seek guidance. We are here to help you maintain and protect the value and integrity of your historic project!