The decision, made during the council’s meeting, was the last step before a review by the Historic District Commission to see whether an addition to the building’s rear would violate historic district code by being visible from the street.

“This project meets all the requirements of our zoning ordinances,” Councilmember Nathan Triplett said before voting.

“While we might have personal reservations, those are our opinions as individuals.”

Troy, Mich., developer Dale Inman applied for a certificate of appropriateness with the city and now will have the site plan reviewed by the Historic District Commission.

“Until it’s fully approved, yeah, my partner Mike (Dowdle) and I will be concerned,” Inman said.

“But we’re very optimistic we’ve met the spirit of the requirements.”

Although he approved the site plan, Councilmember Kevin Beard said he recently walked outside 128 Collingwood Drive and believes the addition to the building’s backside would violate historic district code.

“To me it seems that addition would be completely visible from the street,” he said.

David Lyons, Lambda Chi Alpha MSU chapter housing coordinator, said the fraternity anticipated the council would approve the site plan but was surprised by Beard’s admission.

“It gave us a lot of hope actually,” he said.

“Hopefully the historic commission goes the same way. We’ve presented evidence that it would be in violation of historic language.”

East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis said it was vital to maintain the home’s structural integrity. Several developers came to the city with plans to demolish the fraternity home, but the city would not accept such offers.

Inman said the materials he has chosen for the addition would fit well with the home to make it “harmonious with the existing building.”

But whether the historic home will carry the same meaning as an apartment complex still is unknown.

“That’s why they call it history I guess,” Loomis said.

“The straight facade would remain the same as it is today only with some improvements and enhancements. I think fraternity brothers and people who went to school would still see that in it, but maybe not.”

Beard said many city historic buildings have changed over time, but it doesn’t alter value.

“It’s predominantly the appearance of it that makes it historical,” he said.

“The use can change; it’s the appearance you want to maintain.”

Such sentiments are a hard sell to Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity members, whose home was built for the fraternity and includes many fraternity-related symbols in its architecture.

“In my opinion, no it can’t (be historic),” Lyons said.

“Lambda Chis have been living there the entire time. When they turn it into an apartment building that’s all it will be — an apartment building.”