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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 3, 2025
J. Huss called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Radtke (late), G. Borgman, J. Huss, D. Gregersen, K. Kochin
MEMBERS ABSENT: C. Davis
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, W. Webster
OTHERS PRESENT: R. Kraai (263 W. Muskegon), M. Kordecki (609 W. Western), J.
Boone (1148 Terrace), Pastor J. Rogers and J. Cervantes (1194
Terrace), C. Jones (1533 Clinton)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to table approval of the regular meeting minutes of May 6, 2025 was made by J. Huss
supported by G. Borgman and unanimously approved with J. Huss, G. Borgman, D. Gregersen, and
K. Kochin voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
Case 2025-01 – 263 W. Muskegon Ave. – Siding
Applicant: Ryan Kraai - District: Houston - Current Function: Residential
This case was reviewed at the January 7, 2025 HDC meeting where, among other items, the HDC
approved removal and replacement of the existing wood siding with new cement siding with a three-
inch reveal. Since then, it was found that cement siding was only produced with a four-inch reveal
and any alterations to accommodate a narrower reveal would void the product’s warranty. The
applicant was seeking to have the previous approval revised to allow for either replacement cement
siding with a four-inch reveal, engineered wood siding with a 4-7/8” reveal, or vinyl siding.
R. Kraai stated that he was open to all siding options noted in the request, but preferred vinyl siding
with a 3” reveal due to the potential cost savings. D. Gregersen stated that the HDC would prefer to
see a product other than vinyl even if it meant there would be a change to the dimension of the reveal.
J. Pesch reminded the HDC that at the January meeting it was determined that there had previously
been an asbestos siding product installed on the house and that they had decided that the existing wood
siding was likely not original as the reveal was wider than what would have been typical for a house
of this style. The HDC reviewed the issues with switching to vinyl siding including the J-channel and
trim packages that would not match the house’s existing trim.
S. Radtke arrived at 4:10.
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A motion that the HDC approve the request to remove and replace the existing wood siding with new
engineered wood siding with a 4-7/8” reveal as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and
the necessary permits are obtained was made by G. Borgman, supported by D. Gregersen with J. Huss,
G. Borgman, D. Gregersen, and K. Kochin voting aye, and S. Radtke abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2025-13 – 609 W. Western Ave. – Siding
Applicant: Michael Kordecki - District: Clay-Western - Current Function: Commercial
The applicant was seeking approval to replace the existing cement board siding on the second floor
west-facing walls with vinyl siding. J. Pesch explained that this was on a part of the building that had
been constructed in 2007 and was only visible from specific areas on Western Avenue or adjacent
properties. M. Kordecki stated that the existing cement board siding was failing and causing leaking
inside the building. He added that the proposed vinyl siding would be vertical to avoid wind damage.
S. Radtke noted that the material being replaced was not historic, having been newly constructed about
15 years prior, and was located in an area minimally-visible from the street. He added that vinyl was
not a preferred siding material in the historic districts and that aluminum siding could be an option.
D. Gregersen said that he would be supportive of both aluminum or vinyl siding.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the existing cement board siding on the second
floor west-facing walls with vinyl or aluminum siding as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by D. Gregersen, supported by K.
Kochin. J. Huss suggested an amendment to the motion to specify that the siding should be vertical
rather than horizontal. D. Gregersen accepted the amendment. An amended motion that the HDC
approve the request to replace the existing cement board siding on the second floor west-facing walls
with vinyl or aluminum siding installed in a vertical orientation as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by D. Gregersen, supported by J. Huss
with S. Radtke, J. Huss, G. Borgman, D. Gregersen, and K. Kochin voting aye.
Case 2025-14 – 1725 Peck St. – Siding
Applicant: Anita Morales and Ana Zuniga - District: Clinton-Peck - Current Function: Residential
The applicant was seeking approval to replace the existing wood siding with vinyl siding. As no
applicant was present, the HDC chose to return to the case later in the meeting (for the purposes of
these minutes, all subsequent discussion from later in the meeting is summarized in this case).
J. Pesch shared that the building was built in the early 1940s as a dentist/doctor office and its exterior
could very likely be completely original unless it was significantly remodeled at some point. He noted
that it was an interesting house in that it was built later than many of the other buildings in the Clinton-
Peck Historic District, but was still considered historic. S. Radtke stated that he suspected the exterior
of the house was almost entirely original.
J. Pesch explained that he had received minimal detail from the property owner about what type of
vinyl siding they were proposing, but noted that they were looking to address the worsening condition
of the wood siding. The HDC discussed the appropriate methods of painting wood siding and the
various issues that property owners face in maintaining it. S. Radtke noted that the way the corners
were treated at this house was unique; he also pointed out the areas of the house with vertical siding
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and the belt course just below the sills that separated the siding from the lower portion of the house.
D. Gregersen asked if it would be possible to approve replacement wood siding that matched the
existing siding, and J. Pesch replied that such an approval would be far from what was requested and
unlikely to be helpful for the applicant.
A motion that the HDC table the request to replace the existing wood siding with vinyl siding to the
July regular meeting was made by J. Huss, supported by K. Kochin and unanimously approved.
Case 2025-15 – 1148 Terrace St. – Windows
Applicant: Jason Boone - District: McLaughlin - Current Function: Residential
The applicant was seeking approval to replace the existing wood windows with white vinyl windows
with a three-inch flat vinyl casing around each window including windows on the front porch along
with the basement windows.
J. Boone explained that the house contained a variety of different window types and window materials
and that none of them had been maintained well through the years. J. Huss asked if the leaded glass
windows on either side of the chimney/fireplace would be retained and J. Boone stated that they
would. J. Huss asked whether the four windows with divided lights in the upper sash on the front
elevation could be replicated in vinyl, and S. Radtke noted that the local standards called for
replacement windows of the same size, design, proportions, and profile. J. Boone responded that the
replacement windows would be the same size as the existing windows, but he was not sure if his
window contractor had determined if the grill patterns could be replicated in vinyl. The HDC stated
that it was likely this would be possible. S. Radtke asked if the windows enclosing the front porch and
the basement windows were proposed to be replaced and J. Boone confirmed that they were.
S. Radtke asked if the trim around every window on the house was proposed to be replaced and D.
Gregersen asked if the trim would be different in size than the existing trim. J. Boone explained that
three-inch vinyl trim was proposed. S. Radtke was concerned with a uniform trim width because there
were a variety of widths used on different areas of the house and some windows had no trim. D.
Gregersen asked how the existing siding would be patched to fill any gaps where the trim would be
narrowed and J. Boone stated that he would need to check with his contractor. The HDC noted that
the existing wood trim appeared to be in decent condition and could be repaired and stated that they
were concerned with the quality of potential replacement products. J. Boone noted that the trim was
in worse condition than was visible in the photos, citing layers of peeling paint on some windows. D.
Gregersen stated that in cases where the wood trim was beyond repair, it could be replaced with a new
wood member to match what was there. S. Radtke noted that if a future owner were to remove the
aluminum siding to restore the original wood siding, keeping the existing trim would make that an
easier process.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the existing wood windows with white vinyl
windows retaining the original wood trim around each window as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by K. Kochin, supported by G.
Borgman. S. Radtke suggested an amendment to the motion to specify that the size of the glass lights
and muntin arrangements in the replacement windows shall match those of the existing windows and
that the decorative leaded glass windows on either side of the chimney/fireplace be retained. J. Huss
suggested an amendment to the motion to require that the muntins must be permanently affixed to
both the interior and the exterior of the replacement windows. K. Kochin accepted the amendments.
An amended motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the existing wood windows with
white vinyl windows of the same size, design, proportions, and profile including muntin patterns that
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match the existing windows’ muntin patterns with the condition that the muntins must be permanently
affixed to both the interior and the exterior of the windows and that the decorative leaded glass
windows on either side of the chimney be retained as long as the work meets all zoning requirements
and the necessary permits are obtained was made by K. Kochin, supported by G. Borgman with J.
Huss, G. Borgman, D. Gregersen, and K. Kochin voting aye, and S. Radtke voting no.
A motion that the HDC deny the request to replace the current wood trim with three-inch flat vinyl
casing around each window was made by J. Huss, supported by K. Kochin with G. Borgman, D.
Gregersen, K. Kochin, S. Radtke, and J. Huss voting aye.
Case 2025-16 – 1194 Terrace St. – Mini-Split HVAC Units
Applicant: Jackson Cervantes - District: McLaughlin - Current Function: Institutional
The applicant was seeking approval to install two wall-mounted mini-split HVAC units and
accompanying conduit on the north (side) elevation and two wall-mounted mini-split HVAC units
and accompanying conduit on the south (side) elevation of the building about four-feet above grade,
remove the existing, in-wall air conditioning units, and fill in the former openings to match the existing
building material. J. Rogers amended the request to only include one wall-mounted mini-split HVAC
unit on each side of the building, noting that one had already been installed. He explained that the
change was a result of their taking a different approach to the project that was yet to be fully designed,
but that the mini-split units were a definite need.
S. Radtke asked if the mini-split units would be connected to the building and whether the connection
points would require a hole through the wall of the building like the existing air conditioning units. J.
Cervantes explained that the only hole that would be created would be about 2 ½”-2 ¾” in diameter.
The HDC noted that the existing air conditioning units caused more of a disruption to the fabric of the
building than the product being proposed.
S. Radtke stated that the HDC tended to be flexible when it came to mechanical systems, but preferred
that, if possible, something be done to ensure that the exterior of the unit is made to look similar to
the base color of the brick to prevent the new units from standing out. J. Cervantes explained that
there were covers for the units that could be painted more easily than the units themselves, and that
there was an option to vinyl-wrap the units with an image that matched the material of the building.
J. Rodgers asked the HDC if it would be possible to install three light fixtures on the exterior of the
building to light the parking lot. S. Radtke stated that the appearance of the conduit would likely be
more of a concern than the fixtures themselves. The HDC requested a drawing of where the conduit
would run, suggesting that it be run directly below the top edge of the soffit to feed down directly to
the lights, and that conduit be painted to match the color of the brick. The HDC explained that this
work would need to be reviewed at a future meeting.
There was a brief discussion about a potential future project to replace or repair windows that needed
attention, and the HDC provided some suggestions to consider before returning with a more specific
request at a future meeting, if necessary.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install one wall-mounted mini-split HVAC unit and
accompanying conduit on both the south and north elevations of the building about four-feet above
grade, with a vinyl or painted application to camouflage the units as well as to remove the existing,
in-wall air conditioning units, and fill in the former openings to match the existing building material
as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made
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by J. Huss, supported by K. Kochin with K. Kochin, D. Gregersen, G. Borgman, J. Huss, and S.
Radtke voting aye.
OTHER BUSINESS
Local Standards Update – Shutters – In previous meetings, the HDC had discussed updating the
local standards to include a section on appropriate shutter styles and considered incorporating such a
guide into their local standards. J. Pesch shared drawings provided by D. Gregersen and the HDC
discussed any other content to be included in the local standards. S. Radtke volunteered to assist in
writing a section on shutters for the local standards.
Roof Coping Staff Approval – The HDC discussed the possibility of allowing staff to approve
replacement of clay roof coping with a modern material that served the same function. Also
considered were potential additional items that were not architecturally-defining features; the HDC
determined that they would start with clay coping and evaluate future applications to determine
whether or not to expand this to include replacement of other strictly utilitarian features. J. Pesch
agreed to add a few sentences to the draft to more clearly define the work that could be staff approved
and the types of replacement materials that would be appropriate.
2025 Staff Approval Update #2 – Since the last update in March 2025, staff had approved 12
projects. Those in bold were discussed with the HDC chairperson prior to approval:
- 484 W. Webster – Reroof barn with like material
- 154 Washington – Reroof house
- 621 W. Western – Replace clay coping with aluminum
- 1184 7th – Reroof flat roof
- 1141 5th – Reroof front porch
- 1182 Terrace – Reroof house
- 1167 Peck – Reroof house
- 586 W. Western – Replace ground-mounted air handling unit in same location
- 1133 6th – Reroof house
- 1133 6th – Rebuilt section of brick foundation wall with concrete block
- 1450 Clinton – Reroof house
- 1314 Peck – Wood privacy fence
HDC Letters – C. Jones, a resident of the Clinton-Peck Historic District attended to ask about the
historic districts and a neighboring property in poor repair. She received a letter from the HDC and
asked questions about the information it contained. She explained the recent history of a few houses
in the district and some concerns she had. Board members expressed their appreciation to C. Jones for
her commitment to preserving her house and continued attention to the work of the HDC and the
condition of houses in the historic districts.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
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