COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The City of Coldwater’s Downtown Historic Commission approved a signage request from the owners of the renovated property at 22 West Pearl Street as well as the removal of a shed at the back of the former Lefty’s Lounge building at 10 South Monroe during their Wednesday night meeting.
The Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage Noah and Grace Roberts plan to install along the south wall on West Pearl and along the east wall facing a city parking lot. The Roberts have converted the building constructed in 1909 into upscale housing known as the Bennett Apartments.
City Planning and Zoning Administrator Robert Hawley said in his report that the staff felt the proposed signs are consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. He also said the work is limited to the installation of signage and does not alter the historic façade but the proposed wall sign on the east side of the building needs approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals or a sign consistent with the Zoning Ordinance must be sought.
Meanwhile, the Commission gave Cody Hawkes and Sydney Downey permission to get rid of a single story shed addition attached at the rear of the old Lefty’s Lounge building but other requests for renovation work were put on hold until next month’s meeting as Commission members had questions about what kind of paint and materials will be used.
The Coldwater City Council approved a revised development agreement on Monday night with Hawkes and Downey which granted them roughly six more weeks to begin construction on their specialty ice cream shop.
The project had fallen into default after the owners failed to meet a 24-month deadline established when they purchased the city-owned building in January 2024, Hawkes says the delays have been due to the inability to obtain a state funded grant for the project.
Under the new terms, work must officially commence by July 1, 2026, or the couple must deed the gutted property back to the city in exchange for a refund.
Comments