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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, August 1, 2017
TIME OF MEETING: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: City Commission Chambers, City Hall
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of July 5, 2017
III. New Business
Case 2017-13 – 53 Iona – Porch Foundation
Case 2017-14 – 550 W. Western – Replacement Windows
IV. Old Business
Case 2017-06 – 1347 Peck Street – Siding
Case 2015-10 – 316 W. Webster Avenue – Doors
V. Other Business
VI. Adjourn
“We admire that which is old not because it is old, but because it is beautiful.” Winston Churchill
AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT POLICY FOR ACCESS TO OPEN MEETING OF THE
CITY COMMISSION AND ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES OR SUBCOMMITTEES
The City of Muskegon will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing im-
paired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities who want to at-
tend the meeting, upon twenty-four hour notice to the City of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary
aids or services should contact the City of Muskegon by writing or calling the following: Ann Marie Cummings, City Clerk
at 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440 or by calling (231) 724-6705 or TTY/TDD: Dial 7-1-1 and request that repre-
sentative dial 231-724-6705
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III. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2017-13 – 53 Iona – Porch Foundation
Applicant: Michael Geeting
District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to cover the open spaces between the foundation columns sup-
porting the front porch. Staff has approved replacement of porch flooring.
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Standards
CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
PORCH AND DECK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
(Adopted December 6, 1994 - Effective January 1, 1995)
Covered Porches
Existing screen or open porches shall not be enclosed with framing or windows without approval
by the Commission. Generally, when an open or screened porch is enclosed, the enclosure mate-
rials or windows should preserve the appearance of a porch in order to maintain the original de-
sign and to avoid the visual effect of a boxed-in appendage. This can often be accomplished
with full length windows and exterior screens which would extend from within a few inches off
the floor or base of the existing porch opening thus maintaining the effect of a screened in porch
or solarium. On most full length porches, building up a half-wall at the base and enclosing it
with short windows would not be in keeping with the original design of the house and would de-
tract from the overall appearance. Each request for a porch enclosure will be carefully analyzed
by the Commission, taking into consideration the practical and intended usage of the area and the
overall visual effect upon the house.
Newly constructed covered porches shall be decked with tongue and groove decking and painted
to complement or contrast the house (unless the construction involves the rebuilding of a missing
original porch where documentable evidence shows a different method of decking). Ventilation
under the porch deck is necessary to prevent excessive moisture from causing deterioration to the
porch members. Therefore, the porch skirt shall be detailed in a similar manner to that shown
on the attached decking detail illustration.
Freestanding or Attached Decks (Uncovered Porches)
Placement and design of all decks shall be approved by the Commission. Decks should be locat-
ed in unobtrusive locations and shall feature one of the edge details featured on the attached
decking detail illustration. Decking boards shall consist of 5/4" thick pressure treated decking or
square-edged fir decking and appropriately finished.
Handrails and Guardrails
Existing original handrails and guardrails shall not be removed without the approval of the
Commission. Deteriorated rails shall be repaired as a first course of action. When replacement
is necessary, the original details shall be replicated. In cases where height or spacing is required
to be modified to meet code requirements, the Commission will carefully review the options to
determine the most appropriate method to accomplish this requirement. In cases where handrails
or guardrails are new (including those for new decks), the design shall generally conform to the
railing and balustrade detail illustrated on the attached sketches.
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In general, in order to meet building code requirements, the minimum guardrail height in the
historic districts shall conform to the following standards:
PORCH OR DECK FLOOR HEIGHT
FROM FINISHED GROUND GRADE MINIMUM GUARDRAIL HEIGHT
0" - 30" 0"
30" - 60" 24"
60" and higher 30"
In all cases, if an original guardrail was higher than the minimum height as listed above, then
the original height applies.
Paint
All exposed deck or porch wood shall be painted to complement or contrast the existing struc-
ture. Pressure treated wood shall be painted no later than one year after installation.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to cover the open spaces between the porch
foundation columns as proposed as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the nec-
essary permits are obtained.
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Case 2017-14 – 550 W. Western Ave. – Replacement Windows
Applicant: Trillium Amazon Owners
District: Clay-Western
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to replace numerous casement style windows with double or single
hung windows due to persistent damages from wind. The windows will remain wood and maintain mun-
tins if required. The building already has double hung windows mixed with casement windows; over 50
broken casement windows or window mechanisms currently need to be replaced.
Additional photos will be available at the meeting.
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Standards
WINDOW, DOOR, AND EXTERIOR WOODWORK
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
(Adopted December 6, 1994 - Effective January 1, 1995)
General
These guidelines pertain only to proposed changes to the structure and do not affect existing construction.
These guidelines are primarily directed toward the front and side elevations of the structure. Greater vari-
ances and more leniency may be extended toward proposed changes to the rear elevation of the building
in Class A districts by the Commission. All desired or proposed changes should be referred to the Histor-
ic District Commission for consideration. Extenuating circumstances, the effect upon the architecture of
the particular structure together with the general effect upon the surrounding structures, variables in archi-
tectural design, or the effect upon usage and viability of the structure could dictate a variance from theses
guidelines.
No exterior doors, windows, or exterior woodwork shall be altered, removed, relocated, or added without
Historic District Commission approval.
Existing exterior window or door casings, sills, and caps shall not be altered from the original design or
appearance. Damaged or deteriorated wood shall be repaired as a first course of action. When repair is
not possible, elements shall be replaced with matching wood members. In Class A districts, damaged or
deteriorated wood elements may be replaced or covered with formed aluminum or vinyl, subject to Com-
mission approval and provided that the original profile of the woodwork is not altered or changed.
Primary Windows
Existing damaged or deteriorating window frames and sash shall be repaired as a first course of action.
When repair is not possible, elements shall be replaced with matching wood members. In Class A dis-
tricts, metal or vinyl replacement windows may be acceptable provided they match the original windows
in design and type and that they consist of or are painted an appropriate color. Bare metal finishes gener-
ally will not be acceptable.
The size of glass lites and muntin arrangements shall not be altered without Commission approval. Spe-
cial glazing, such as stained or leaded art glass, shall not be removed without Commission approval. Un-
usual decorative windows such as Palladian windows, oriels, bays, Gothic arch or segment tops, etc. shall
not be removed or altered.
Storm Windows
Wood storm and screen windows are the most appropriate for use in the historic district. Other types of
storm, screen, or combination windows will be approved provided that the new storm window mullions
align with the mullions of the primary windows. Blind stop storm and screen windows (where such win-
dows are placed inside the existing window frames rather than affixed to the exterior of the frames) are
preferable and may be required in some instances. Bare metal storm and screen windows must be painted
to match or complement the trim. Interior storm windows may be acceptable as long as they do not de-
tract from the appearance of the primary windows. Care should be taken, however, when using interior
storm windows because condensation tends to form on the inside surface of the primary window and
could cause damage to the wood and paint if not properly ventilated.
Greater scrutiny will be applied by the commission in reviewing storm and screen windows in Class AA
districts in order to determine the most appropriate option.
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Primary Doors
Every effort should be made to preserve or repair the original doors where damage has occurred. When
repair is not possible, the first choice shall be a similar salvaged door from a structure of the approximate
age and style. A new wood door may be used when a salvaged door is not available. Such new door shall
match the original in detail and finish.
In Class A districts the Commission may approve new wood doors that may slightly differ from the origi-
nal in cases where replicating the original may not be feasible, as long as such doors generally conform to
the ones illustrated on the attached sheet. Under certain circumstances in Class A districts, the Commis-
sion may approve doors made of material other than wood provided they conform to the same design re-
quirements.
Storm Doors
Wooden storm and screen doors are preferred and will generally be the required option in Class AA dis-
tricts, especially on the front of the structure. Aluminum or metal storm and screen doors may be used so
long as they are not mill finished or anodized aluminum. Baked enamel or other applicable paints or fin-
ishes will be acceptable. In general, storm and screen doors shall conform to those illustrated on an at-
tached sheet. The door stiles and rails should be a minimum of 4" wide and one lite doors, where practi-
cal, are preferred in order not to detract from the existing primary door. Jalousie doors are not accepta-
ble for use as storm doors in the historic districts. Ornamental iron work safety doors are also generally
inappropriate in the historic districts.
Exterior Woodwork
Existing decorative woodwork such as railings, moldings, eave, and gable cornice trim, tracery, columns,
observatories, scrolls, bargeboards, lattice, and other carved or sawn wood ornament shall not be removed
or altered without Commission approval. Existing deteriorated ornamental woodwork shall not be re-
moved but shall be repaired or replaced with matching materials where possible.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to replace the casement windows as proposed as long as
the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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IV. OLD BUSINESS
Case 2017-06 – 1347 Peck Street – Siding
Staff met with the property owner to determine exactly what work was being done to the exterior of the
house. The owner stated that the existing wood siding was being removed from the house to either replace
the rotting wood or repair damaged pieces. A staff approval form was filled out permitting the repairs to
the wood siding.
Case 2015-10 – 316 W. Webster Avenue – Doors
Staff has been in communication with Martha Ferriby, Director of the Hackley Public Library, regarding
the status of the building’s front doors. Ms. Ferriby stated that the doors were refurbished causing the
wood to appear lighter, the original metal trim and handles were cleaned, and the glass in the doors is
original. Documentation confirming the restoration work done to the doors has been requested.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
VI. ADJOURN
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