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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 7, 2021
Chairperson S. Radtke called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Emory, K. George, S. Radtke, A. Riegler (Arrived at 4:04)
MEMBERS ABSENT: D. Gregersen
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, C. Cashin
OTHERS PRESENT: A. Figueroa (100 Diana Ave), E. Trejo (486 W. Clay), P. Petty (28 W. Forest)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 6, 2021 was made by K. George, supported by T.
Emory and approved with K. George, S. Radtke and T. Emory voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2021-27 – 100 Diana – New cupola and cement siding
Applicant: A. Figueroa - District: McLaughlin - Current Function: Residential
J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant was seeking approval to 1) add a cupola to the roof of the house,
2) replace all existing wood siding with fiber cement siding, 3) install a new skylight on the roof near the rear of
the house, 4) remove one window on the enclosed side porch on the west elevation and replace the door on that
porch, 5) remove and replace the existing window trim, and 6) alter the mullion patterns on some windows. Much
of the work has already been started.
A significant amount of the work was already underway without receiving HDC approval, due to
miscommunication. The original wood siding was rotted and had already been removed, and a cupola was
installed to replace the chimney that had been removed. A. Figueroa requested to install cedar shakes on the
curved exterior wall on the east side of the home. The HDC discussed all items on the application as well as the
shake siding style and location that was proposed.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to add a cupola to the roof of the house, replace all existing wood
siding with fiber cement siding and cedar shakes only on the curved east wing, install two skylights on the roof
near the rear of the house, remove one window on the enclosed side porch on the west elevation and replace the
door on that porch, remove and replace the existing window trim, and alter the mullion patterns on some
windows as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made
by A. Riegler, supported by T. Emory and approved with T. Emory, A. Riegler, K. George, and S. Radtke
voting aye.
Case 2021-28 – 486 W. Clay Ave – Side Porch and Doors
Applicant: Emilio Trejo - District: Clay-Western - Current Function: Residential
J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant was seeking approval to 1) remove an exterior stair in the house’s
east side porch that currently connects the lower and upper porches and repair the remaining opening in the porch
floor, 2) remove the right side exterior door on the upper porch and side over the opening to match the siding used
on the rest of the house, and 3) replace the remaining left side exterior door on the upper porch with a more
attractive and energy efficient door.
HDC had a short discussion about window and door styles. E. Trejo asked about installing a french door on the
lower side porch; the HDC decided against the french doors, but agreed on an option to replace an existing
window on the same porch with a door that closely matched the width of the existing window opening.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to remove an exterior stair in the house’s east side porch and repair
the remaining opening in the porch floor, remove the right side exterior door on the upper porch and side over
the opening to match the siding used on the rest of the house, replace the remaining left side exterior door on the
upper porch with a full-lite door, and replace the east-facing window on the lower porch with a full-lite door
with a maximum width of 36” and a height matching the adjacent exterior doors on the lower porch as long as
the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by A. Riegler,
supported by T. Emory and approved with A. Riegler, T. Emory, K. George, and S. Radtke voting aye.
Case 2021-30 (Walk-On) – 28 W. Forest Ave – Front yard fence
Applicant: P. Petty - District: Clinton-Peck - Current Function: Residential
A chain link fence was installed along a portion of the front of the house without review or approval from the
HDC. P. Petty explained that a chain link fence had previously enclosed the front yard, but was removed with
the most recent remodel of the house. J. Pesch noted that chain link fencing is not typically allowed in the
historic districts, but other fence styles are allowed. The HDC chose not to require the homeowner to remove
the fence, but informed her that she will need to request approval if/when she decides to replace the fence.
Case 2021-29 – 1669 Peck St – Privacy Fence
Applicant: Steven Radtke - District: Clinton-Peck - Current Function: Residential
J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant was seeking approval to construct a privacy fence around the
rear yard of the property. The proposed fence would not meet the HDC’s local standards, so it could not be
approved by Staff.
S. Radtke discussed his plans with the HDC. The original proposal to install a 6-foot tall fence past the front of
the house on the south side of the property had changed, so no action was taken by the board.
OTHER BUSINESS
Detached Garage Demolition at 311 W. Muskegon – This property is located in the Houston Historic District
and had a garage fire back in June. J. Pesch informed the board that SAFEbuilt was routing the property through
the Dangerous Building process and keeping him informed of the progress with the intention of bringing a request
to the HDC. The owner demolished the garage and cleared the site without notice. The garage was not visible
from the street, only from the alley, and appeared to have no architectural significance.
Staff Approval of Sheds – Past discussions of the HDC involved enabling Staff to approve requests for new
sheds should they meet certain standards. Staff had drafted the general design standards based on recent conditions
of approval used by the HDC and was seeking consent to add them to the Staff Approval Form. The board was
more comfortable with such design standards being added to the Guidelines for New Construction, requiring shed
requests to still come before the board for review.
Identification of Historic Resources – Staff had previously requested that the board assist in informally
identifying resources with particular historic significance to the Muskegon community, and had begun compiling
these suggestions into a list and was working on a map. The HDC decided to review the list in further detail at a
future meeting.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
CC