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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
May 6, 2014
Chairperson J. Hilt called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Radtke, L. Spataro, K. Panozzo
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayville, excused; L. Wood
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: Jim, 1275 Ransom; S. Dahlstrom for 511 W. Clay Ave; K.
Zimmerman for 1327 Ransom
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 1, 2014 was made by L. Spataro,
supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2014-05 – 1275 Ransom Street. Applicant: Jim. District: McLaughlin. Current Function:
Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to rebuild the garage and rear porch that were
destroyed in the recent wind storm. The garage and porch will be rebuilt to match the former as
much as possible.
S. Radtke asked the applicant if he would be using the same materials. Jim stated that the
structures would look exactly like they did before the storm damage, except that he would like to
expand the garage width by 4 feet.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to rebuild the garage and porch as proposed,
including the addition of four feet to the garage width, as long all zoning requirements are met
and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by S. Radtke, supported by L. Spataro and
unanimously approved.
Case 2014-06 – 511 Clay Avenue. Applicant: Katherine Jawor. District: Downtown Structures,
Current Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval for the following changes to
the home: Porch - Remove interior grade ceramic tiles, remove warped plywood where
applicable, install concrete skid resistant surfaces; Brick - Remove delaminating face brick,
install new face brick in similar color to exterior of home.
K. Panozzo arrived at 4:10 p.m.
S. Radtke was concerned with the underlying issue causing the damage to the brick. S.
Dahlstrom stated that much of the damage was caused by water splashing onto the brick. In
addition, the tiles on the porch are interior tiles, and they get very slippery when wet. S. Radtke
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asked if they planned to replace the entire porch structure with a concrete slab. S. Dahlstrom
stated that was correct; however, it would look the same from the street.
A motion that the HDC approve the porch and brick work as proposed, as long all zoning
requirements are met and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by S. Kroes, supported
by K. Panozzo and unanimously approved.
Case 2014-07 – 1314 Peck Street. Applicant: Alexander Pringle. District: Clinton-Peck.
Current Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to replace the current vinyl
fence with a 6-foot dog-eared privacy fence. The new fence will enclose the entire back yard.
A. Pringle asked board members if there were requirements regarding painting of the fence. S.
Radtke stated that there were no requirements involving painting, but the board could make
recommendations if asked. He stated that it was common for fences to be stained or painted to
match the house.
A motion that the HDC approve the fence addition as proposed as long all zoning requirements
are met and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by S. Radtke, supported by S. Kroes
and unanimously approved.
Case 2014-08 – 1327 Ransom Street. Applicant: Curron Cooper. District: McLaughlin. Current
Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval for the following projects: Install vinyl
siding over the existing asbestos material as part of the Muskegon County Lead Hazard
Reduction Program, Fur out window trim and install aluminum trim over components, Install
steel door in garage, and the following ADA-compliant upgrades: Open all exterior door
openings to 36 inches, add ADA-compliant ramp to front of house, and install 36-inch steel
security door to the home’s exterior.
L. Spataro stated that, normally with a re-siding request, the board would require that any
architectural elements are not covered. However, the siding currently on the house has already
covered those. S. Radtke asked if the steel exterior door would be the flat slab-type. K.
Zimmerman stated that they would make it a nice-looking door, not just a plain slab.
A motion that the HDC approve the changes as proposed, as long all zoning requirements are
met and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by S. Kroes, supported by L. Spataro and
approved, with S. Radtke voting nay.
Case 2014-09 – 291 Houston Avenue. Applicant: Valentino Ledesma. District: Houston.
Current Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to replace the chimney that was
damaged in the wind storm. They applicant would like to rebuild it shorter than it was before the
damage. The brick being replaced was not original.
L. Spataro stated that, as long as the brick chimney was not original to the house, the height/size
would be governed by the building code. S. Radtke asked what the chimney served. V.
Ledesma stated that it was for the furnace and hot water heater. S. Radtke asked if the entire
chimney would be replaced, or just the parts that fell off. V. Ledesma stated that they would tear
down the chimney and rebuild it.
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A motion that the HDC approve the chimney replacement as proposed, as long all zoning
requirements are met and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by K. Panozzo,
supported by L. Spataro and unanimously approved.
Case 2014-10 – 1593 Jefferson Street. Applicant: Frank Peterson. District: Jefferson. Current
Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to replace the front porch columns with
new wooden columns. The applicant would like to save two rear columns and caps and two
front columns and caps, and replace the remaining eight columns and caps with 10-inch wooden
columns and traditional caps.
L. Spataro stated that he was concerned with the difference in the columns. He preferred that
they all match. F. Peterson stated that there were only two caps that were in reasonably decent
shape, but all were crumbling to some degree and would not support the weight of the roof. S.
Kroes stated that the simpler column/cap style would go better with the house. F. Peterson stated
that he would rather use all new caps if allowed. S. Radtke stated that he had no objections to
that as long as the proportions were preserved.
A motion that the HDC approve the column replacement using new cap materials as discussed,
as long all zoning requirements are met and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by L.
Spataro, supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
Case 2014-11 – 275 Houston Avenue. Applicant: Karen Kendall. District: Houston. Current
Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to replace three of the rear wood
windows with vinyl windows as part of a State of Michigan lead abatement grant.
J. Hilt stated that it appeared that some of the windows already were vinyl. M. Franzak stated
that was correct. The windows that are the subject of this case were the ones in the rear of the
house. S. Radtke was opposed to the change, as he felt it would considerably change the look of
the house. He preferred to see the wood windows refurbished.
A motion that the HDC approve the replacement of the three wood windows with vinyl as
proposed, as long as the original window opening size and configuration is retained, all zoning
requirements are met, and the necessary permits are obtained was made by L. Spataro, supported
by S. Kroes and approved, with S. Radtke voting nay.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
OTHER
None
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.
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