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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 5, 2025
S. Radtke called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Radtke, J. Huss, K. Kochin, D. Gregersen, C. Davis
MEMBERS ABSENT: G. Borgman, excused
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, W. Webster
OTHERS PRESENT: A. McBain (11 Delaware), K. Hunter (1133 6th), J. Witmer (372 W
Muskegon)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 6, 2025, June 3, 2025, and July 1, 2025
was made by J. Huss, supported by S. Radtke and unanimously approved with S. Radtke, J. Huss,
K. Kochin, D. Gregersen, and C. Davis voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
The cases were heard out of order as HDC member J. Huss was the representative for the case
under Old Business.
Case 2025-18 – 430 W. Clay Ave. – Windows
Applicant: Lakeshore Museum Center - District: Clay-Western - Current Function: Institutional
J. Pesch noted that this case was tabled at the July 17, 2025 HDC special meeting. The applicant
was seeking approval to replace all lower-level, steel-cased, tilt-in windows with fixed aluminum
windows of the same size with applied horizontal mullions to match the windows’ current
configurations. Two of the replacement windows were to have the option to tilt-in for ventilation.
J. Pesch shared additional details on the proposed windows that were received since the last
meeting.
J. Huss explained which replacement windows would still be able to tilt-in for functional purposes.
The HDC reviewed the profile of the proposed windows and noted that they would be a standard
storefront window. D. Gregersen asked about the proposed color and J. Huss stated that she would
need to confirm what options existed, but that they were originally planning on white to match the
existing windows. D. Gregersen encouraged a darker window frame to better blend with the
surrounding brick and J. Huss stated that she would be willing to make that change. S. Radtke
asked if the windows along Clay Street that were currently blacked out would have architectural
glass. J. Huss stated that they would install clear glass but apply a vinyl overlay to obscure the
back of an interior wall but allow for future flexibility if the space were to be converted to a
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different use. J. Huss explained some of the historic uses of the interior spaces that these windows
opened into, which included offices, gathering spaces, and rooms where one could listen to tape
recordings.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace all lower-level, steel-cased, tilt-in windows
with fixed aluminum windows of the same size with applied horizontal mullions to match the
windows’ current configurations, and of a darker color to blend with the brick, with two of the
replacement windows retaining the tilt-in option for ventilation as long as the work meets all
zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by K. Kochin, supported
by D. Gregersen with S. Radtke, C. Davis, D. Gregersen, and K. Kochin voting aye, and J. Huss
abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2025-19 – 11 Delaware Ave. – Windows and Doors
Applicant: John Grace Construction LLC - District: McLaughlin - Current Function: Residential
J. Pesch explained that a fire occurred at this property in November 2024 and the first and second
floor interiors had been gutted to the studs. The applicant was seeking approval to replace the
existing exterior doors and remove and replace the existing wood and aluminum double hung
windows with windows of the same size and appearance, other than four windows on the first floor
of the west elevation which were proposed to be awning windows, half the height of the existing
windows. J. Pesch added that there were some fire-damaged areas that were to be reconstructed,
but those would not change the appearance of the house and therefore did not require HDC review.
A. McBain shared that she was requesting to change the size of the four windows on the west
elevation due to privacy reasons – that side of the house faced a vacant lot and the busy Peck
Street. S. Radtke and D. Gregersen noted that visibility from a busy street was more of a reason to
protect that elevation’s historic appearance. The board acknowledged that other treatments, such
as window blinds, could be used to maintain privacy. A. McBain stated that the metal awnings
were not going to be reinstalled.
The board noted that the existing windows were simple and considering the fire damage and the
fact that the windows already did not match, replacement was likely the only feasible option. K.
Kochin asked if all five windows on the west elevation would be the same height, following the
proposed changes, and D. Gregersen stated that it made more sense that only the backmost window
was shorter as it was in the kitchen. A. McBain asked if the windows could be made shorter, but
also wider to maintain the total glass area that already existed but in a different configuration. S.
Radtke stated that he was not comfortable with that option, and D. Gregersen agreed that it would
create a commercial look.
J. Pesch noted that both the front and back doors were proposed to be replaced, but no replacement
doors had been selected, so choosing from the craftsman designs recommended by the HDC that
were appropriate to the house could be an option. A. McBain stated that both existing doors were
replacements and not architecturally significant. The board asked if the existing doors contained
windows, but A. McBain was unsure as it had been a long time since she had been in the house.
She preferred that the replacements have a window.
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A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the existing exterior doors with doors of the
style presented at the August 5, 2025 HDC meeting as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by K. Kochin, supported by J. Huss
with J. Huss, C. Davis, D. Gregersen, K. Kochin, and S. Radtke voting aye.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to remove and replace the existing windows with
windows of the same size and appearance as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and
the necessary permits are obtained was made by D. Gregersen, supported by C. Davis with S.
Radtke, J. Huss, C. Davis, D. Gregersen, and K. Kochin voting aye.
Case 2025-20 – 1133 6th St. – Deck
Applicant: Kirk Hunter - District: Clay-Western - Current Function: Residential
The applicant was seeking approval to construct a multi-level wooden deck in the rear and side
yard of the property attached to the house. J. Pesch stated that the work had already been started
and shared photos of the deck, walking the HDC through the layout.
S. Radtke stated that decks are generally not permanent structures, unlike covered porches. K.
Kochin noted concerns with the wire portion of the railings and whether those would be historically
appropriate. S. Radtke explained that he felt they would not be too visible from the street –
especially with much of the deck being on the rear of the house – so he was comfortable with the
railing design. He also added that it would distinguish new from original; a contemporary railing
on a contemporary, multi-level deck structure would avoid historical conjecture.
K. Hunter explained that he had looked at a few other houses in the neighborhood and attempted
to match the porch skirting that was commonly used, and J. Pesch added that it aligned with an
option included in the HDC local standards.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to construct a multi-level wooden deck in the rear and
side yard of the property attached to the house as presented in the August 5, 2025 HDC staff report
as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was
made by J. Huss, supported by K. Kochin with J. Huss, C. Davis, D. Gregersen, K. Kochin, and S.
Radtke voting aye.
Case 2025-21 – 372 W. Muskegon Ave. – Door
Applicant: Morgan and Jonathan Witmer - District: Houston - Current Function: Residential
The applicant was seeking approval to replace a door on the east (side) elevation with a new
fiberglass craftsman style door with either a panel or a glass light in the upper ¼.
J. Witmer shared that there was deterioration of the bottom of the door. It was estimated that the
door appeared to have been a 1940s or 1950s replacement. It was noted that there were no photos
of the original door, so any replacement door style would be conjecture. S. Radtke stated that the
proposed door appeared a bit too elaborate for a side door and may not fit the architecture of the
home. The board recommended that any craftsman style door would work with or without a glass
light. J. Witmer asked that some flexibility be included in the approval as he was not yet certain
which style door to install.
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A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the door on the east (side) elevation with a
new fiberglass door of a craftsman style option as presented in the door style guide either with or
without a glass light as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits
are obtained was made by J. Huss, supported by K. Kochin with S. Radtke, J. Huss, C. Davis, D.
Gregersen, and K. Kochin voting aye.
OTHER BUSINESS
609 W. Western – Temporary Siding Material – Staff was contacted by the property owner
regarding the need for a temporary solution to prevent ongoing water damage at the property. The
siding material approved at the June 3, 2025 HDC meeting had been ordered, but delayed delivery
of the product had necessitated installation of a temporary alternative siding material. A written
agreement was on file with the Building Inspections Department to change the siding to the
approved material once it was delivered.
Roof Coping Staff Approval – The HDC had discussed allowing staff to approve replacement of
clay coping with a modern material that serves the same function. Staff provided a draft version
of the updated HDC Staff Approval Form, and the HDC had no additional comments or changes.
A motion that the HDC approve the update to the Historic District Commission Staff Approval
Form with the wording about clay coping presented at the August 5, 2025 HDC meeting was made
by J. Huss, supported by D. Gregersen with D. Gregersen, K. Kochin, S. Radtke, J. Huss, and C.
Davis voting aye.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
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