Rochester Historical Commission

In 1976, the Mayor of the City of Rochester appointed nine members to the Rochester Historical Commission. The first meeting of the Rochester Historical Commission was held at City Hall on February 3, 1977.

The Commission's duties are:

- To investigate and study the history of the City of Rochester, Michigan.
- To record such history at the offices of the City of Rochester.
- To recommend to the City Council plans and procedures for observance of important historical dates within the City.
- To cooperate and assist the City Council of Rochester in promoting appropriate activities for commemorating such dates.
- To promote a continuing public interest in history and current events of the City of Rochester.

The Commission soon developed its goals and objectives, one of which was to make recommendations to the City of Rochester Planning Commission regarding the creation of a historic district(s) and, then, following a public hearing, to submit a proposed ordinance. The Commission began a historic district study in October 1977. In January 1978, the Commission discussed boundaries and proposed historical sites. At the same time, Avon Township (now the City of Rochester Hills) submitted a proposal for a historic district(s) in Avon Township (not including the City of Rochester).

The Historic District Ordinance as proposed by the Commission in 1978 was not passed by the City Council of Rochester, Michigan. Today, the Rochester Historical Commission is again examining the creation of a historic district(s) within the City of Rochester. In 2000, the Commission oversaw the creation of the Historic District Study Committee (HDSC), which will:

- Conduct a photographic inventory of resources within a proposed historic district(s) following procedures established or approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.
- Conduct basic research of the proposed historic district(s) and the historic resources within the district(s).
- Prepare a preliminary Historic District Study Committee report to be presented to City Council.

Not less than sixty calendar days after the transmittal of the preliminary report, the Historic District Study Committee shall hold a public hearing in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended. Upon recommendation to establish a historic district(s) by City Council, the Historic District Study Committee shall than draft a final report of a proposed Historic District Ordinance.