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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, September 1, 2020
TIME OF MEETING: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: https://www.facebook.com/CityofMuskegon
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of August 4, 2020
III. New Business
Case 2020-17 – 320 Monroe – Shed and Patio
Case 2020-18 – 380 Houston – Ramp and Paved Parking Pad
Case 2020-19 – 314 Monroe – Shed
IV. Old Business
V. Other Business
CLG Application
Public Comment Period
VI. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
VII. Adjourn
“We admire that which is old not because it is old, but because it is beautiful.” Winston Churchill
AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT POLICY FOR ACCESS TO OPEN MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES
OR SUBCOMMITTEES
The City of Muskegon will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio
tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities who want to attend the meeting, upon twenty-four
hour notice to the City of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Muskegon
by writing or calling the following: Ann Marie Cummings, City Clerk at 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440 or by calling (231) 724-
6705 or TTY/TDD: Dial 7-1-1 and request that representative dial 231-724-6705
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II. MINUTES
CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 4, 2020
S. Radtke called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Radtke, T. Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, A. Riegler
MEMBERS ABSENT: T. Painter, L. Wood excused
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, R. Cummins
OTHERS PRESENT: J. Sischo, 1326 Ransom; M. Richardson, 413 W. Webster
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 7, 2020 was made by A. Riegler, supported
by K. Panozzo and approved with T. Emory, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, and K. Panozzo voting aye.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2020-15 – 1326 Ransom Street (Demolition (Garage)). Applicant: Jack Sischo. District:
McLaughlin. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant is
seeking approval to demolish the attached, one-stall garage on the northeast side of the house and to
reside the exposed wall with vinyl siding to match the rest of the house, following demolition. J.
Sischo was in attendance to represent the case.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to demolish the attached, one-stall garage on the north-
east side of the house and to reside the exposed wall with vinyl siding to match the rest of the house
as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made
by K. Panozzo, supported by S. Radtke and approved with T. Emory, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, and K.
Panozzo voting aye.
Case 2020-16 – 413 W. Webster Avenue (Doors). Applicant: Mildred Richardson. District: Hou-
ston. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant is seeking ap-
proval to replace the rear side entry door with a six-lite, craftsman style door and to replace the gar-
age entry door with a solid, six panel door. M. Richardson was in attendance to represent the case.
K. Panozzo asked if the doors could be repaired by being sanded and repainted and have weather-
stripping installed.
K. George arrived at 4:09 p.m.
M. Richardson stated that the doors were not historic, were cheaply made, not sturdy, and likely on-
ly dated back to the 1950s. She stated that they have had issues with break-ins in the garage and
wanted to replace the doors with a sturdier, solid door. S. Radtke stated that he was familiar with the
doors and that they were likely replacements from the 1950s. J. Pesch noted that a photo from the
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mid-1990s on file showed the doors unfinished and almost new, at that time. M. Richardson added
that the doors would be painted to match the house.
A motion to approve the request to replace the rear side entry door with a six-lite, craftsman style
door and to replace garage entry door with a solid, six panel door as long as the work meets all zon-
ing requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by A. Riegler, supported by T.
Emory and approved with T. Emory, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, K. Panozzo, and K. George voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
S. Radtke asked if the board was planning to wait until the meetings were held in person before
electing officers. J. Pesch stated that, originally, the board wanted full attendance before voting, but
that complications with hosting virtual meetings further delayed the vote. The board decided that
they still wanted to delay the vote until all board members were present.
OTHER BUSINESS
Time was allotted for public comment with contact information provided. There were no comments
from the public.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:19 p.m.
JP
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III. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2020-17 – 320 Monroe – Shed
Applicant: Iesha Collins
District: Nelson
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to construct a new 10’ x 12’, wood frame, vinyl sided shed in the
back yard of the property.
View of house from Monroe Avenue
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Design of proposed shed, the vinyl siding will match the siding on the house
View of proposed location of shed from inside the fenced-in back yard
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Site plan depicting location of proposed shed
Standards
Recommended Not Recommended
Height - Relating the overall height of new Height - Introducing new construction that
construction to that of adjacent structures. varies greatly in height (too high or too low)
As a general rule, construct new buildings to from older buildings in the vicinity. Ex-
a height roughly equal to the average height treme differences in building heights will
of existing buildings from the historic period have a detrimental visual effects on the ap-
on and across the street. pearance of surrounding property.
Scale - Relating the size and proportions of Scale - Creating buildings that in height,
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new structures to the scale of adjacent build- width, or massing violate the existing scale
ings. Although a building may be much of the area. The new building should not
larger than its neighbors in terms of square disrupt the scale and rhythm of the
footage, it should maintain the same scale streetscape, although it might be appropriate
and rhythm as the existing buildings. in a different location.
Massing - Breaking up uninteresting box- Massing - Introducing single, monolithic
like forms into smaller, varied masses such forms that are not relieved by variations in
as are common on most buildings from the massing. Box-like facades and forms are
historic period. Variety of form and intrusive when placed in a streetscape of
massing are elements essential to the charac- older buildings that have varied massing and
ter of the streetscape in historic districts. facade articulation.
For example, if an infill site is large, the
mass of the facade can be broken into a
number of small bays.
Directional Expression - Relating the verti- Directional Expression - Creating strongly
cal, horizontal, or non-directional facade horizontal or vertical facade expressions un-
character of new buildings to the predomi- less compatible with the character of struc-
nant directional expression of nearby build- tures in the immediate area. A new building
ings. Horizontal buildings can be made to that does not relate well to its neighbors or
relate to the more vertical adjacent structures to the rhythm of the streetscape because of
by breaking the facade into smaller masses an unbroken horizontal facade should be
that conform to the primary expression of avoided.
the streetscape.
Setback - Maintaining the historic facade Setback - Violating the existing setback pat-
lines of streetscape by locating front walls of tern by placing a new building in front of or
new buildings in the same plane as the fa- behind the historic facade line. Placing
cades of adjacent buildings. If exceptions buildings at odd angles to the street, unless
are made, buildings should be set back into in an area where diverse siting already ex-
the lot rather than closer to the street. If ex- ists, even if property setback is maintained,
isting setbacks vary, new buildings should should be avoided.
conform to historic siting patterns.
Sense of Entry - Articulating the main en- Sense of Entry - Introducing facades with no
trances to the building with covered porches, strong sense of entry. Side entries or entries
porticos, and other pronounced architectural not defined by a porch or similar transitional
forms. Entries were historically raised a few element result in an incompatible "flat" first-
steps above the grade of the property and floor facade.
were a prominent visual feature of the street
elevation of the building.
Roof Shapes - Relating the roof forms of the Roof Shapes - Introducing roof shapes,
new buildings to those found in the area. pitches, or materials not traditionally used in
Although not entirely necessary, duplication the area.
of the existing or traditional roof shapes,
pitches, and materials on new construction is
one way of making new structures more vis-
ually compatible.
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Rhythm of Openings - Respecting the recur- Rhythm of Openings - Introducing incom-
rent alteration of wall areas with door and patible facade patterns that upset the rhythm
window elements in the facade. Also con- of openings established in surrounding
sidering the width-to-height ratio of bays in structures. For example, glass walls and
the facade. The placement of openings with window and door shapes and locations
respect to the facade's overall composition, which are disrespectful to the adjoining
symmetry or balanced symmetry should be buildings.
carefully studied.
Design Expression - Composing the materi- Design Expression - Violating the existing
als, textures and colors of the new building character of the district by introducing non-
facade to compliment adjacent facades and compatible materials, textures, colors, de-
relating details and decorations of the new tails, and decoration on new buildings.
building to those of existing surrounding
buildings.
Imitations - Accurate restoration of or visu- Imitations - Replicating or imitating the
ally compatible additions to existing build- styles, motif, or details of older periods.
ings and former construction, contemporary Such attempts detract from the character of
architecture that well represents our own the district by compromising what is truly
time yet, enhances the nature and character historic.
of the historic district.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to construct a 10’ x 12’, wood frame, vinyl sided
shed as presented in the September 1st, 2020 HDC Staff Report as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2020-18 – 380 Houston – Ramp and Paved Parking Pad
Applicant: Community enCompass
District: Houston
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to construct a wood/composite ADA ramp on the front, lower
porch and an ADA parking pad along the east side of the property, accessed from the rear alley.
View of structure from Houston Avenue
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Front elevation drawing of proposed ramp
Site plan depicting proposed ramp and parking pad
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Detailed view of proposed ramp plan
Standards
Covered Porches
Newly constructed covered porches shall be decked with tongue and groove decking and painted to
complement or contrast the house (unless the construction involves the rebuilding of a missing orig-
inal porch where documentable evidence shows a different method of decking). Ventilation under
the porch deck is necessary to prevent excessive moisture from causing deterioration to the porch
members. Therefore, the porch skirt shall be detailed in a similar manner to that shown on the at-
tached decking detail illustration. In some cases, composite decking materials may be permitted for
use on covered porches.
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Freestanding or Attached Decks (Uncovered Porches)
Placement and design of all decks shall be approved by the Commission. Decks should be located in
unobtrusive locations and shall feature one of the edge details featured on the attached decking de-
tail illustration. Decking boards shall consist of 5/4” thick pressure treated decking or square edged
fir decking and appropriately finished. In some cases, composite decking materials may be permitted
for use on uncovered porches.
Handrails and Guardrails
Existing original handrails and guardrails shall not be removed without the approval of the Commis-
sion. Deteriorated rails shall be repaired as a first course of action. When replacement is necessary,
the original details shall be replicated. In cases where height or spacing is required to be modified to
meet code requirements, the Commission will carefully review the options to determine the most
appropriate method to accomplish this requirement. In cases where handrails or guardrails are new
(including those for new decks), the design shall generally conform to the railing and balustrade de-
tail illustrated on the attached sketches.
In all cases, if an original guardrail was higher than the minimum height as listed above, then the
original height applies. In general, in order to meet building code requirements, the minimum guard-
rail height in the historic districts shall conform to the following standards:
PORCH OR DECK FLOOR HEIGHT
FROM FINISHED GROUND GRADE MINIMUM GUARDRAIL HEIGHT
0” - 30” 0”
> 30” 36”
Porch Enclosure
New guardrails on commercial buildings shall conform to the minimum guardrail height for com-
mercial buildings as defined in the most recent edition of the building code.
In all cases, if an original guardrail was higher than the minimum height as listed above, then the
original height applies.
Porch Enclosure
Existing screen or open porches shall not be enclosed with framing or windows without approval by
the Commission. Generally, when an open or screened porch is enclosed, the enclosure materials or
windows should preserve the appearance of a porch in order to maintain the original design and to
avoid the visual effect of a boxed-in appendage. This can often be accomplished with full length
windows and exterior screens which would extend from within a few inches off the floor or base of
the existing porch opening thus maintaining the effect of a screened in porch or solarium. On most
full length porches, building up a half-wall at the base and enclosing it with short windows would
not be in keeping with the original design of the house and would detract from the overall appear-
ance. Each request for a porch enclosure will be carefully analyzed by the Commission, taking into
consideration the practical and intended usage of the area and the overall visual effect upon the
house.
Paint
All exposed deck or porch wood shall be painted to complement or contrast the existing structure.
Pressure treated wood shall be painted no later than one year after installation.
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to construct a wood/composite ADA ramp on the
front, lower porch and an ADA parking pad along the east side of the property, accessed from the
rear alley as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2020-19 – 314 Monroe – Shed
Applicant: David Kendrick
District: Nelson
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to construct a new 10’ x 12’, wood frame shed in the back yard of
the property. The shed will be sided with engineered wood siding.
View of house from Monroe Avenue
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Two rendered views of proposed shed
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Site plan depicting location of proposed shed
Standards
See Design Guidelines for New Construction in Case 2020-17, above.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to construct a 10’ x 12’, wood frame shed sided
with engineered wood siding as presented in the September 1st, 2020 HDC Staff Report as long as
the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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IV. OLD BUSINESS
None
V. OTHER BUSINESS
CLG Application – Staff is completing an application for the City of Muskegon’s participation in
the Certified Local Government (CLG) program to be submitted to the State Historic Preservation
Office. As part of the CLG application, Staff is requesting comments from the HDC on draft four-
year goals (Attachment A). These goals should relate to identifying, evaluating, protecting, and cel-
ebrating significant historic resources and/or educating the public on the value of preservation. Staff
is also seeking approval of the content included in the below cover letter to be signed by the Mayor
requesting certification (Attachment B). The letter is scheduled to be brought to the City Commis-
sion for approval at their September 8th meeting.
HDC File System – Staff has been reviewing the Historic District Commission’s files, both physi-
cal and digital, dating back to the creation of the HDC in the 1970s. An organizational system has
been developed that should allow for easier access to information on past cases, with the long-term
goal of making information on Muskegon’s historic districts – and the historic resources within
them – more accessible to the general public. As a first step, all HDC meeting minutes on file will
be added to the City website over the coming months.
Public Comment Period – For public comment, please call the number that will be listed on the
screen during the broadcast of this meeting on https://www.facebook.com/CityofMuskegon
VI. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
VII. ADJOURN
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Attachment A
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F. GOALS
Briefly describe 2-4 goals the community has for its preservation program over the next 4 years. Goals
should relate to identifying, evaluating, protecting, and celebrating significant historic resources and/or
educating the public on the value of preservation. At least one goal should relate to survey work the
community hopes to complete.
Goal 1:
Major Tasks Anticipated Completion
Goal 2:
Major Tasks Anticipated Completion
Goal 3:
Major Tasks Anticipated Completion
Goal 4:
Major Tasks Anticipated Completion
version 6.21.2020 6
Attachment B
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Affirmative Action
(231)724-6703
FAX (231)722-1214
Assessor/
Equalization Co.
(231)724-6386
FAX (231)724-1129
Cemetery/Forestry
(231)724-6783
FAX (231)724-4188
City Manager
(231)724-6724
FAX (231)722-1214 September 8, 2020
Clerk
(231)724-6705
FAX (231)724-4178
State Historic Preservation Officer
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
Comm. & Neigh.
Services
300 North Washington Square
(231)724-6717 Lansing, MI 48913
FAX (231)726-2501
Computer Info. RE: Certified Local Government Program Application
Technology
(231)724-4126 City of Muskegon, Muskegon County
FAX (231)722-4301
Engineering On behalf of the City of Muskegon, I am pleased to submit an application for participation in
(231)724-6707
FAX (231)727-6904 the Certified Local Government (CLG) program as provided for under the National Historic
Preservation Act, as amended.
Finance
(231)724-6713
FAX (231)726-2325 The City of Muskegon has satisfied the minimum requirements for certification as detailed in
Fire Department the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) document “Certified Local Government
(231)724-6795
FAX (231)724-6985
Program: Program Requirements and Certification Handbook.” I understand that upon
completion of the certification process I will sign a Certification Agreement indicating the
Human Resources
Co. (Civil Service) community’s willingness to continue to meet the minimum standards for participation.
(231)724-6442
FAX (231)724-6840
Enclosed with this letter are the application for certification and required supporting
Income Tax
(231)724-6770
documents for your consideration. Please direct all questions and correspondence regarding
FAX (231)724-6768 this application to our designated point of contact for the CLG program:
Mayor’s Office
(231)724-6701 Jamie Pesch
FAX (231)722-1214
933 Terrace Street, Room 202
Planning/Zoning 231-724-4405
(231)724-6702
FAX (231)724-6790 [email protected]
Police Department
(231)724-6750 Sincerely,
FAX (231)722-5140
Public Works
(231)724-4100
FAX (231)722-4188
SafeBuilt
Stephen J. Gawron
(Inspections) Mayor, City of Muskegon
(231)724-6715
FAX (231)728-4371
Treasurer
(231)724-6720
FAX (231)724-6768
Water Billing
(231)724-6718
FAX (231)724-6768
Water Filtration
(231)724-4106
FAX (231)755-5290 City of Muskegon, 933 Terrace Street, P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536
http://www.shorelinecity.com