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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
TIME OF MEETING: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: Conference Room 204, City Hall
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes of the November 14, 2023 regular meeting
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
Case 2023-24 – 1337 Peck – Windows
V. Other Business
Commercial Storefront Design Standards
HDC Public Outreach/Realtors
Denial Motions
2023 CLG Annual Report
VI. 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 MEETINGS OF THE CITY OF MUSKEGON
AND ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES OR SUBCOMMITTEES
To give comment on a live-streamed meeting the city will provide a call-in telephone number to the public to be able to
call and give comment. For a public meeting that is not live-streamed, and which a citizen would like to watch and give
comment, they must contact the City Clerk’s Office with at least a two-business day notice. The participant will then
receive a zoom link which will allow them to watch live and give comment. Contact information is below. For more
details, please visit: www.shorelinecity.com
The City of Muskegon will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing im-
paired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities who want to
attend the meeting with twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the City of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring
auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Muskegon by writing or by calling the following: Ann Marie Meisch,
MMC, City Clerk at 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440 or by calling 231-724-6705 or emailing clerk@shoreline-
city.com
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II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of November 14, 2023.
III. OLD BUSINESS
None.
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IV. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2023-24 – 1337 Peck – Windows
Applicant: Brett Mahaffey (renewal by Andersen)
District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to remove 32 existing wood windows and replace them with
matching composite windows; one casement window in the kitchen and double hung windows on the
front and back of the attic are also proposed to be replaced with composite windows but without grilles
to match the existing windows. More photos and information will be available at the meeting.
View of east (front) elevation from Peck Street.
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View of north (right) elevation from side yard.
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View of west (rear) elevation from rear yard.
View of south (left) elevation from side yard.
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Standards
WINDOW, DOOR, AND EXTERIOR WOODWORK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
(Abbreviated)
General
These guidelines pertain only to proposed changes to the structure and do not affect existing
construction.
These guidelines are primarily directed toward the front and side elevations of the structure. Greater
variances and more leniency may be extended toward proposed changes to the rear elevation of the
building by the Commission. All desired or proposed changes should be referred to the Historic
District Commission for consideration. Extenuating circumstances, the effect upon the architecture of
the particular structure together with the general effect upon the surrounding structures, variables in
architectural design, or the effect upon usage and viability of the structure could dictate a variance
from these guidelines.
No exterior doors, windows, or exterior woodwork shall be altered, removed, relocated, or added
without Historic District Commission approval.
Existing exterior window or door casings, sills, and caps shall not be altered from the original design
or appearance. Damaged or deteriorated wood shall be repaired as a first course of action. When repair
is not possible, elements shall be replaced with matching wood members. Damaged or deteriorated
wood elements may be replaced or covered with formed aluminum or vinyl, subject to Commission
approval and provided that the original profile of the woodwork is not altered or changed.
Primary Windows
Existing damaged or deteriorating window frames and sash shall be repaired as a first course of action.
When repair is not possible, elements shall be replaced with matching wood members. Metal or vinyl
replacement windows may be acceptable provided they match the original windows in design and
type and that they consist of or are painted an appropriate color. Bare metal finishes generally will not
be acceptable.
The size of glass lites and muntin arrangements shall not be altered without Commission approval.
Special glazing, such as stained or leaded art glass, shall not be removed without Commission
approval. Unusual decorative windows such as Palladian windows, oriels, bays, Gothic arch or
segment tops, etc. shall not be removed or altered.
Storm Windows
Wood storm and screen windows are the most appropriate for use in the historic district. Other types
of storm, screen, or combination windows will be approved provided that the new storm window
mullions align with the mullions of the primary windows. Blind stop storm and screen windows
(where such windows are placed inside the existing window frames rather than affixed to the exterior
of the frames) are preferable and may be required in some instances. Bare metal storm and screen
windows must be painted to match or complement the trim. Interior storm windows may be acceptable
as long as they do not detract from the appearance of the primary windows. Care should be taken,
however, when using interior storm windows because condensation tends to form on the inside surface
of the primary window and could cause damage to the wood and paint if not properly ventilated.
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to remove 32 existing wood windows and replace
them with matching composite windows with the exception of one casement window in the kitchen
and double hung windows on the front and back of the attic which will be replaced with composite
windows but without grilles to match the existing windows as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Commercial Storefront Design Standards – At the August meeting, board members discussed
potentially adopting local standards for commercial storefronts as the local standards do not currently
address such situations. Staff will share examples from other cities and review where such standards
could be applicable in the city of Muskegon. This item was originally included on the October meeting
agenda, but was not discussed due to time constraints.
HDC Public Outreach/Realtors – Staff and board members continue to monitor when houses are
listed for sale in the districts, and at past meetings have discussed hosting an informational meeting
for area realtors. Staff proposes a continuation of that discussion. This item was originally included
on the October meeting agenda, but was not discussed due to time constraints.
Denial Motions – Staff wishes to discuss the process of denying an applicant’s request when an
alternative request is settled on and approved at a single meeting. This item was originally included
on the October meeting agenda, but was not discussed due to time constraints.
2023 CLG Annual Report – The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requires that all Certified
Local Government (CLG) communities submit an annual report to be in good standing and remain
eligible for grant funding and technical assistance activities. SHPO has created a templatefor CLG
communities to follow when completing their annual report. City staff will review the report template
with the HDC as well as the previous year’s annual report.
VI. ADJOURN
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