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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 5, 2018
Chairperson J. Hilt called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, S. Kroes, L. Wood, A. Riegler, K. Panozzo, S. Radtke
MEMBERS ABSENT: D. Warren, excused
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: K. Zimmerman, Community enCompass; C. Kotchka, City of
Muskegon Community & Neighborhood Services (CNS) Department
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 1, 2018 was made by J. Hilt, supported by
K. Panozzo and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2018-15 – 34 E. Isabella Ave – Windows and Siding. Applicant: Community enCompass.
District: McLaughlin. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The
applicant is seeking approval to remove the existing wood windows and replace them with vinyl
windows. The rough openings will remain the same, as will the existing trim. The applicant is also
proposing to remove and replace the existing wood siding with a wood composite siding of the same
profile. The existing wood trim and posts will remain.
K. Zimmerman was working on this project for Community enCompass. She stated that they would
remove the wood trim and components, strip it, and re-use it. They would like to replace the wood
siding with a wood composite material, and replace the windows with vinyl. She provided a sample
of the wood composite material and pamphlets showing the proposed new windows. A couple of
board members mentioned that they preferred a smoother finish on the wood product. K.
Zimmerman wasn’t sure if it was available, but she would check. She also stated that there was lead-
based paint in the colored window on the house and they planned to wet-scrape and encapsulate that
so they could keep that window. K. Zimmerman also stated that vinyl windows now came in a
variety of colors, so they would blend in better than the bright white vinyl windows previously
available.
S. Radtke arrived at 4:07 PM.
A. Riegler asked if they were going to keep the corner trim. K. Zimmerman confirmed that they
were, and stated that she had made the contractor aware of what they wished to preserve. She stated
that, regarding the windows, they had looked into wood windows but they were about $200 more
expensive than vinyl, per window. Since Community EnCompass was already putting about $80,000
into this remodel, it was not feasible to spend that much more on wood windows. She stated that the
house had been vacant for over 10 years and had been close to being demolished.
HDC Minutes 6/05/18 1
A motion that the HDC approve the request to remove the existing wood windows and replace them
with vinyl windows within the same rough openings while retaining the existing trim, to remove and
replace the existing wood siding with a wood composite siding of the same profile with no alteration
to the existing wood trim and posts, and to use a smoother-finish wood composite siding if one was
available, as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained,
was made by A. Riegler, supported by S. Radtke and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, S. Kroes,
L. Wood, A. Riegler, K. Panozzo, and S. Radtke voting aye.
Case 2018-16 (Walk-on) – 1179 4th Street – Houston Historic District – City of Muskegon
Community and Neighborhood Services. This was a walk-on request, although the property owner
had appeared before the HDC in the past to discuss the work that needed to be done on this house. C.
Kotchka from the City’s CNS Department spoke on behalf of the property owner, as the CNS
department was assisting the homeowner with repairs through the City’s grant programs. The
applicant wished to remove the remaining (partially disassembled) chimney and firebox, stud in the
opening, and repair and cover the exterior wall with cedar siding closely matching the original siding
on the house. The applicant also requested approval to install vinyl siding on the entire house through
the City CNS Department’s vinyl siding program at a later date.
J. Pesch showed board members pictures of the house. C. Kotchka stated that the City was assisting
the homeowner through their home repair programs and they were hoping to get vinyl siding
approved in the future; they only had one contractor doing the siding and he was working on another
project at this time. She stated that the houses on both sides of this one had vinyl siding. Since the
City did not have a program to help property owners paint their houses, they were hoping to be able
to take advantage of the vinyl siding program. J. Pesch asked when someone had started taking the
chimney apart. C. Kotchka stated that she was told that a family friend had started the demolition but
she was not sure when. J. Hilt asked what other houses in this area were like. J. Pesch stated that
several of the houses on this block had been before the HDC and had vinyl siding. It was near the
site of the new Midtown Square development. S. Radtke suggested allowing the removal of the
chimney and firebox now, and to consider the roof and siding at a later date once J. Pesch had been
able to look into it further and write up a staff report.
A motion to allow removal of the remaining chimney and firebox, with the roof and siding being
repaired to match the materials currently on the house, was made by S. Radtke, supported by S. Kroes
and approved, with J. Hilt, S. Kroes, L. Wood, A. Riegler, K. Panozzo, and S. Radtke voting aye.
Board members concurred that they would consider the vinyl siding request at a future date.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER
1133 6th St. An audience member was considering purchasing the house at 1133 6th St, and was
seeking input from the HDC on restoring the house, since it was located in an historic district. Board
members and staff answered his questions and referred the gentleman to the City’s Zoning
Administrator for other issues. He was informed that it was unlikely that vinyl siding would be
approved at this location.
Certified Local Government (CLG). J. Pesch continued exploring this program through the State.
He and the board discussed reviewing sections of the City’s historic district standards each month so
HDC Minutes 6/05/18 2
they could be updated to reflect the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. He stated that the State
would also be looking for consistency in applying the standards.
Case 2015-10 – 316 W. Webster Avenue – Hackley Library doors. J. Pesch updated the board on his
discussions about the replacement door issues. He had also reached out to the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) for guidance, and determined that it is not likely that the HDC will be
able to take further action in this case. J. Pesch stated that consistency in records was stressed by the
SHPO concerning proper HDC case documentation, and that he would discuss the matter with K.
Huss, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 PM.
HDC Minutes 6/05/18 3
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