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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 4, 2025
S. Radtke called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Radtke, G. Borgman, J. Huss, K. Kochin, D. Gregersen
MEMBERS ABSENT: C. Davis
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, W. Webster, H. Fredrickson and T. Clark (City of Muskegon
Parks Department)
OTHERS PRESENT: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 4, 2025 was made by D. Gregersen
supported by K. Kochin and approved with J. Huss, G. Borgman, D. Gregersen, K. Kochin, and S.
Radtke voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2025-06 – 350 W. Webster Ave. – Stone Chess Tables and Stools
Applicant: City of Muskegon Parks Department - District: National Register - Current Function: Park
The applicant was seeking approval to pave a concrete pad and install one or two 30”x30”x30”
polished concrete chess table(s) and two or four polished concrete stools at one of the two potential
locations depicted in the staff report. J. Pesch shared excerpts and background from Hackley Park: A
Master Plan for Restoration a document that had been used by City staff since the 1980s to guide the
direction of changes in the park.
H. Frederickson stated that the permanent locations of the proposed tables were only suggestions. She
added that she had since noticed that the proposed location of the tables on the 4th Street side would
interfere with a light post, and that relocating or reconfiguring the tables would be necessary. S. Radtke
asked if the proposed locations were currently grass and J. Pesch stated that they were. H. Fredrickson
explained that the proposed locations were selected with a few things in mind including shade, ADA
compliance, and events that used the park. She added that whatever location was preferred, placement
of the tables and stools would have to avoid interfering with the operations of events that utilized
paved area at the center of the park.
The HDC discussed the proposed location on the diagonal sidewalk near the intersection of 3rd Street
and W. Webster Avenue. D. Gregersen stated that he was concerned about the tables not matching the
symmetry of the rest of the park. J. Pesch explained that a past approval for installation of four bike
racks in the park was never fully implemented, and that only one had been installed at the opposite
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corner of the park from this proposed location. He noted that the Hackley Park plan emphasized the
park’s symmetry.
J. Pesch noted that one area of the park still contained its original concrete pavers, which were thought
to be one of the earliest known applications of such pavers and unique to Hackley Park; he said that
while many of the pavers had been replaced, the pattern of the pavement was very intentional in
matching the pattern of the historic pavers. The HDC decided that siting the tables on a standard
concrete paved pad on the 4th Street side of the park would be the least obtrusive option. D. Gregersen
shared that he preferred a location on the 4th Street side of the park along the curved sidewalk.
S. Radtke suggested bolting to pavers that are not the originals instead of pouring a new concrete pad
adjacent to the existing paved surfaces and the HDC was generally in favor of this. H. Fredrickson
asked for the specific location where the HDC preferred that the tables be installed, and they discussed
the specifics of the locations for the tables so that they would meet ADA requirements.
H. Fredrickson stated that installation of the tables and stools could be an issue on the existing
pavement, but that she could return to a future meeting if it was determined that installation would be
an issue. The HDC agreed with this approach, as it would be difficult to determine the size and location
of any proposed new pavement without a chance to review a more detailed site plan.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install two 30”x30”x30” polished concrete chess tables
on existing pavement on the 4th Street location along with four polished concrete stools was made by
K. Kochin, supported by D. Gregersen. S. Radtke proposed an amendment to the motion on the table
to specify the location of the tables and stools on the paved plaza and their distance from the edge of
the existing pavement. K. Kochin accepted the proposed amendment. The amended motion to approve
the request to install two 30”x30”x30” polished concrete chess tables and four polished concrete stools
on the 4th Street side of the existing paved plaza, with each table located equidistant between the
centerline of the plaza and the diagonal walkways and with the edge of the tables located three feet
from the edge of the existing pavement as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the
necessary permits are obtained was approved with K. Kochin, D. Gregersen, G. Borgman, J. Huss,
and S. Radtke voting aye.
OTHER BUSINESS
2025 Staff Approval Update #1 – Since the start of 2025, staff had approved four projects. J. Pesch
noted that those in bold were discussed with the HDC chairperson prior to approval:
- 1403 Jefferson – Reroof house
- 275 W. Muskegon – Construction of storage shed
- 1624 Jefferson – Replace aluminum storm doors with like doors
- 557 W. Western – Replace sign face with sign for new business
The HDC was comfortable with J. Pesch having approved the replacement sign at 557 W. Western.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
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