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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 7, 2018
Chairperson J. Hilt called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, L. Wood, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, D. Warren, S. Kroes
MEMBERS ABSENT: K. Panozzo, excused
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: C. Kotchka, City of Muskegon Community & Neighborhood Services
Department (CNS)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 11, 2018 was made by J. Hilt, supported by S. Radtke
and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2018-23 – 1179 4th Street (Vinyl siding). Applicant: City of Muskegon CNS Department. District:
Houston. Current Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to install vinyl siding on the house.
C. Kotchka stated that the City’s CNS Department was assisting the homeowner with purchasing and installing
the vinyl siding through a HUD grant; assistance with painting was not available through that program. She
had requested SHPO approval for the work, as she did with all requests. SHPO approved the work, stating that
the house was not included or eligible for inclusion in the National Register. J. Pesch stated that he thought
this was one of the last houses on this block to have wood siding. S. Radtke noted that the house appeared to
have multiple layers of siding, meaning the windows would probably be recessed once another layer was
added. A. Riegler asked about the new-looking section of wood siding on the house. C. Kotchka stated that a
chimney had been removed and the holes were repaired with the new wood siding in that spot. A. Riegler
stated that, considering that no assistance with painting was available and all other houses on the block had
vinyl siding, she would consider approving the request.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install vinyl siding on the house as long as the necessary
permits are obtained, was made by S. Radtke, supported by J. Hilt and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, L.
Wood, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, and D. Warren voting aye.
S. Radtke suggested HUD be contacted to ask about the possibility of providing painting assistance in addition
to vinyl siding, and asked who would do that. J. Pesch stated that he would talk to the Director of the CNS
Department about it. The HUD grants were awarded based on income. The board discussed how to handle
vinyl siding requests, considering that so many had been approved in the past. Board members concurred that
they preferred to see wood siding retained rather than continue to approve its replacement.
Case 2018-25 – 458 W. Webster Avenue (Garage Rehabilitation). Applicant: Jonathan and Katelyn Gress.
District: National Register. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant
is seeking approval to do extensive rehab work to the garage, including 1) completely removing and rebuilding
the rear garage wall facing the alley with reinforced CMU block finished with a stucco cement product to
match the rest of the structure. 2) installing new windows of a similar size, configuration, and mullion design
to replace the deteriorated or missing windows, 3) installing new carriage house-style garage doors to replace
existing deteriorating and non-functioning doors, 4) adding an entry door to allow for better egress as well as
HDC Minutes 8/07/18 1
an additional upstairs window, and 5) adding new veneer stone lintels over windows. The existing wall is
constructed of unreinforced clay masonry block covered with a stucco cement finish, and it sustained extensive
damage from falling snow and subsequent freeze/thaw cycles last winter. The awning that had been attached
above the garage doors was ripped off, damaging several courses of the block it was attached to; full wall
replacement was determined to be safer than shoring and replacing individual blocks.
Staff and board members discussed the historic importance of this home. S. Radtke stated that he would like
to see more information on what was under the ivy covering much of the building, as it wasn’t possible to see
the window configurations or spacing. Board members concurred that more information was needed.
A motion that the HDC table this request until more information was obtained including the materials to be
used, and a drawing of the current configuration of the garage windows and other openings was provided, was
made by J. Hilt, supported by S. Radtke and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, L. Wood, A. Riegler, S.
Radtke, and D. Warren voting aye.
Case 2018-26 – 477 W. Western Avenue (Sign). Applicant: Bernie Wade (Advanced Signs). District:
National Register. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant is seeking
approval to install a custom fabricated, double-sided projecting sign on the corner of the building. The
proposed sign is approximately 48” tall x 46” wide, and will be attached 15 feet above grade. It will be
internally illuminated and have exposed red neon letters. He provided renderings of the sign to the board
showing the sign detail and where it was to be placed on the building.
D. Warren asked how the sign would be affixed to the building. The specs showed a bracket and bolts. J.
Pesch stated that, although the standards stated that no neon was allowed, it seemed appropriate, and was used
in this area. A. Riegler stated that she didn’t see a problem with it, considering the board was working on
updating the standards anyway. J. Pesch stated that the Secretary of the Interior standards had no rules for
signs.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install the proposed 48” x 46” custom fabricated, double-sided
projecting sign, with internally illuminated/exposed red neon letters 15 feet above grade on the corner of the
building as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained, was made
by A. Riegler, supported by L. Wood and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, L. Wood, A. Riegler, S. Radtke,
and D. Warren voting aye.
Three walk-on cases were also heard:
Case 2018-27 (Walk-on) – 1116 Terrace Street (Fence). Applicant: Louse Herman. District: McLaughlin.
Current Function: Residential. The applicant is seeking approval to replace the existing, deteriorating picket
fence with a new style picket fence. The work had already been completed.
J. Hilt suggested that the applicant be notified by letter that any future work done without first obtaining HDC
approval would have to be dismantled. Board members discussed the appearance of the new fence and the
standards, and concurred that the fence should be painted.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the existing picket fence with the new style picket fence
with the conditions that the new wood fence must be painted within one year of installation, the work meets all
zoning requirements, and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by L. Wood, supported by K. Panozzo
and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, L. Wood, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, and D. Warren voting aye.
Case 2018-28 (Walk-on) – 1197 Terrace Street (Fence). Applicant: Ty Ross. District: McLaughlin. Current
Function: Residential. The applicant is requesting approval to build a 6-foot tall wood privacy fence as an
extension of the existing fence on the property. The work has already been completed.
HDC Minutes 8/07/18 2
J. Pesch provided a picture of the fence, which extended between the house and the south property line. A
motion that the HDC approve the request to extend the 6’ tall privacy fence to the south property line as long
as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained, and with the condition that
the new wood fence must be painted within one year of installation, was made by A. Riegler, supported by D.
Warren and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, L. Wood, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, and D. Warren voting aye.
S. Kroes arrived at 4:40 PM.
Case 2018-29 (Walk-on) – 1100 3rd Street (Sign). Applicant: Phyllis Watson-Loudermill. District: Houston.
Current function: Commercial. The applicant is requesting approval to install one (1) refurbished, non-lit
aluminum ground sign at the property. The sign would be located along the 3rd Street frontage. Staff and
board members discussed the renderings of the sign that were provided by J. Pesch and concurred that the sign
was too large and was not compatible with the scale of the building. J. Pesch also stated that the sign did not
comply with zoning regulations.
A motion that the HDC deny the request to install a refurbished, non-lit aluminum sign as presented in the
application, was made by D. Warren, supported by L. Wood and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, L. Wood,
A. Riegler, S. Radtke, D. Warren, and S. Kroes voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER
Case 2018-24 – 185 Strong – Demolition (Shed) – The shed at this property had a fire on July 17, 2018. Staff
met with the owner and determined that the shed was added to the property recently, and was not historically
or architecturally significant. As staff cannot approve demolitions, approval was granted by HDC Chairperson,
Jackie Hilt.
HDC Local Standards Review – Signage. A. Riegler asked that staff provide a copy of the full HDC signage
policy to all board members so they could review them and note any changes they’d like to see. D. Warren
suggested that language be included to notify applicants that the board’s decisions would be based on the
updated standards and that they would not necessarily have to consider work that had been approved prior to
the new standards being enacted. Board members decided to schedule a work session to discuss and review
the signage policy a half-hour prior to the September HDC meeting.
Walk-on HDC applications. The board discussed whether to continue allowing walk-on applications, since
there had been a number of them recently. A. Riegler suggested that the board no longer accept walk-on
applications until such time that the standards were updated. Board members concurred.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM.
HDC Minutes 8/07/18 3
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