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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, October 5, 2021
TIME OF MEETING: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: Conference Room 204, City Hall
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of September 7, 2021.
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
Case 2021-31 – 125 Delaware – Fascia, Soffit, and Eve Trim
Case 2021-32 – 1164 Terrace – Windows and Porches
Case 2021-33 – 38 E. Grand – Windows, Doors, and Garage Doors
Case 2021-34 – 1305 Jefferson – Siding
V. Other Business
New HDC Member
Local Standards for Sheds
Identification of Historic Resources
Muskegon County Civil Rights Survey Project
VI. Adjourn
“We admire that which is old not because it is old, but because it is beautiful.” Winston Churchill
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II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of September 7, 2021.
III. OLD BUSINESS
None
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2021-31 – 125 Delaware – Fascia, Soffit, and Eve Trim
Applicant: Billy Walker Jr.
District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to wrap the fascia and eve trim with 0.019 gauge white aluminum
and to install new aluminum soffit panels.
View of house from Delaware Avenue, looking south.
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Existing (left) and proposed (right) eve trim profile.
Existing eve trim.
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Proposed aluminum trim cladding (already completed on first story) and soffit profile/appearance.
Standards
RESIDING AND TRIM CLADDING GUIDELINES
General
The Muskegon Historic District Commission does not endorse the residing of structures within the
Historic districts. It is the policy of this Commission that the original fabric of the building should be
repaired or replaced where necessary with the original building material.
In cases where the repair or replacement with like materials is impractical or where it can be demon-
strated that the original materials will no longer hold paint or that the original materials are so badly
deteriorated that they can no longer be reasonably repaired, the residing standards below shall strictly
be adhered to.
Definitions
For the purpose of this statement, the terms “residing materials” and “trim cladding” shall be under-
stood to encompass the use of any residing materials such as aluminum, vinyl, steel, hardboard, wood,
masonry, or molded urethane which is designed to replace or cover all, or any part, of an exterior wall,
trim work or other building element or a structure within a designated historic district.
Purpose
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The Commission shall review all applications for Certificates of Appropriateness proposing the in-
stallation of residing materials or trim cladding as individual cases. Each application shall be decided
on its own merit. No person should interpret any Commission approval for residing or trim cladding
as being precedent setting. Unrestricted use of residing materials or trim cladding will not be allowed.
In any case where residing materials or trim cladding are proposed for use by a property owner or
siding contractor, the property owner shall be required to submit a signed letter stating in detail the
intent and scope of the proposed residing or trim cladding installation. Such a letter is to also include
the identification of any deterioration or problems occurring relative to the existing siding or exterior
building fabric. If known, the cause and extent of this deterioration must be clearly stated.
The following conditions of installation shall be met by all proposals for residing or trim cladding:
1. All existing deterioration shall be made structurally sound and its causes, insofar as possible,
shall be corrected prior to the installation of residing materials or trim cladding.
2. Any installation of residing materials shall simulate the appearance of the original building ma-
terial that it is intended to cover. This simulation shall take into account the size, shape or pro-
file, texture, and linear direction of the original building material.
a. The residing material shall be similar in appearance and dimension to the original sid-
ing. The exposure to the weather of the new siding shall range within one inch of the
nominal dimension of the original siding. The Historic District Commission shall have
the authority to waive this requirement in the event that they believe a different design
or dimension siding would be more appropriate to the architectural character of the His-
toric District.
b. A proposed color shall be appropriate as determined by the Commission.
c. Generally, wood grain textures are not approved by the Commission. However, the ap-
propriateness of a specific siding texture shall be determined on an individual case basis.
3. Any installation of trim cladding shall adhere to the following guidelines for the treatment for
architectural trim elements.
a. Existing cornice or building trim elements shall not be covered or replaced without Commis-
sion approval. Commission approval will depend upon how closely the trim cladding or new
trim elements duplicate the appearance of the existing building trim elements.
b. The wall siding material shall not extend over the existing trim members such as window and
door trim, sills, facias, soffits, frieze members and boards, brackets, aprons, corner boards,
trim boards, skirt boards, or any other characteristic moldings or architectural features.
c. If the above mentioned trim members are to be clad, they shall be covered with custom formed
cladding which shall closely approximate the shapes and contours of the existing moldings or
trim. Distinctive or unusual trim or architectural elements shall not be clad without prior con-
sideration and Commission approval.
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d. No building trim elements or architectural features are to be removed or altered to facilitate
the installation of the new siding or trim cladding without approval of the Historic District
Commission.
In most cases the soffit cladding material shall run parallel and not perpendicular to the plane of the
wall.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to wrap the fascia and eve trim with 0.019 gauge
white aluminum and to install new aluminum soffit panels as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2021-32 – 1164 Terrace – Windows and Porches
Applicant: Straub Investment Properties LLC
District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential/Vacant
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to replace the existing wood and vinyl windows with vinyl-clad
windows, remove and restore the second story porch on the rear of the house with a new replacement
railing design, and renovate the east porch on the first story. Some work has already been started.
View of house from Delaware Avenue looking northwest.
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East elevation with proposed replacement windows noted.
Additional view of east elevation with proposed replacement windows noted. East and north porch
visible (rear porch has already been removed).
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North elevation with proposed replacement windows noted. Second story porch proposed to be re-
constructed is removed.
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West elevation with proposed replacement windows noted.
South elevation with proposed replacement windows noted.
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Standards
WINDOW, DOOR, AND EXTERIOR WOODWORK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
(Abbreviated)
General
These guidelines pertain only to proposed changes to the structure and do not affect existing con-
struction.
These guidelines are primarily directed toward the front and side elevations of the structure. Greater
variances and more leniency may be extended toward proposed changes to the rear elevation of the
building by the Commission. All desired or proposed changes should be referred to the Historic Dis-
trict 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
architectural design, or the effect upon usage and viability of the structure could dictate a variance
from these 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 re-
pair is not possible, elements shall be replaced with matching wood members. Damaged or deterio-
rated 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. 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 generally will not
be acceptable.
The size of glass lites and muntin arrangements shall not be altered without Commission approval.
Special glazing, such as stained or leaded art glass, shall not be removed without Commission
approval. Unusual decorative windows such as Palladian windows, oriels, bays, Gothic arch or
segment tops, etc. shall not be removed or altered.
…
Primary Doors
Every effort should be made to preserve or repair the original doors where damage has occurred.
When repair is not possible, a new wood door may be used. Such new door shall match the original
in detail and finish.
The Commission may approve new wood doors that may slightly differ from the original in cases
where replicating the original may not be feasible, as long as such doors generally conform to the
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ones illustrated on the attached sheet. Under certain circumstances, the Commission may approve
doors made of material other than wood provided they conform to the same design requirements.
…
PORCH AND DECK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES (ABBREVIATED)
Covered Porches
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. In some cases, composite decking materials may be permitted for use on
covered porches.
Freestanding or Attached Decks (Uncovered Porches)
Placement and design of all decks shall be approved by the Commission. Decks should be located 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. In some cases, composite decking materials may be permitted for
use on uncovered porches.
Handrails and Guardrails
Existing original handrails and guardrails shall not be removed without the approval of the Commis-
sion. 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 ap-
propriate method to accomplish this requirement. In cases where handrails or guardrails are new (in-
cluding 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 all cases, if an original guardrail was higher than the minimum height as listed above, then the
original height applies. In general, in order to meet building code requirements, the minimum guard-
rail 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” 36”
Porch Enclosure
New guardrails on commercial buildings shall conform to the minimum guardrail height for com-
mercial buildings as defined in the most recent edition of the building code.
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 structure.
Pressure treated wood shall be painted no later than one year after installation.
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to replace the existing wood and vinyl windows with
vinyl-clad windows, remove and restore the second story porch on the rear of the house with a new
replacement railing design, and renovate the east porch on the first story as long as the work meets all
zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2021-33 – 38 E. Grand – Windows, Doors, and Garage Doors
Applicant: Brian Geise/Kathy Dennison
District: Clinton-Peck
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to 1) remove and replace 10 existing wood windows (four on the
east elevation, four on the south elevation’s second story, and two on the west elevation’s second
story) with double hung vinyl windows matching the existing mullion patterns, 2) replace the existing
front entry door with a fiberglass door, 3) remove the existing door to the garage roof on the north
elevation and side over the opening to match the rest of the house, and 4) replace the existing overhead
garage doors with new overhead doors of a similar style with windows.
View of south elevation from W. Grand Avenue looking north. Four second story windows pro-
posed to be replaced.
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Four windows on east elevation proposed to be replaced.
Two windows on west elevation proposed to be replaced.
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Existing overhead garage doors on east elevation and second story door to the garage roof.
Proposed replacement window style (mullions will match existing patterns), front entry door, and
overhead garage doors. Not to scale.
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Standards
See Window, Door, and Exterior Woodwork Standards and Guidelines in Case 2021-32, above.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to remove and replace 10 existing wood windows
(four on the east elevation, four on the south elevation’s second story, and two on the west eleva-
tion’s second story) with double hung vinyl windows matching the existing mullion patterns, replace
the existing front entry door with a fiberglass door, remove the existing door to the garage roof on
the north elevation and side over the opening to match the rest of the house, and replace the existing
overhead garage doors with new overhead doors of a similar style with windows as long as the work
meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2021-34 – 1305 Jefferson – Siding
Applicant: City of Muskegon CNS
District: Campus
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to remove the existing wood siding and install a treated engineered
wood lap siding with a smooth finish and an exposure dimension that matches the existing siding.
View of house from Jefferson Street looking southwest.
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View looking west from Jefferson Street.
Standards
See Residing and Trim Cladding Guidelines in Case 2021-31, above.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to remove the existing wood siding and install a
treated engineered wood lap siding with a smooth finish and an exposure dimension that matches
the existing siding as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are
obtained.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
New HDC Member – Emilio Trejo has been appointed to the Historic District Commission.
Local Standards for Sheds – Staff has drafted the following general design standards based on recent
conditions of approval used by the HDC and is seeking consent to add them to the local standards
under the Guidelines for New Construction:
General design guidelines for sheds include seven-foot-tall walls, a gable roof with a minimum of a
6/12 pitch, and double doors with each door being 3’-6” wide. Sheds shall be as neutral as possible
and shall not be a focal point of the property. All sheds must receive a Development Permit prior to
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construction and must follow the requirements of the City of Muskegon Zoning Ordinance with the
added stipulation prohibiting sheds from being located in the front or side yard(s) of a property.
All requests for new sheds would still come before the HDC, and the design guidelines would be
meant to simplify the board’s review process for proposed sheds that meet these standards.
Identification of Historic Resources – As part of the HDC goal setting discussion that took place
earlier in the year, Staff requested that the board assist in informally identifying resources with
particular historic significance to the Muskegon community. These could be sites, structures, or areas
located in the city of Muskegon and outside or within a local historic district. Staff has begun
compiling these suggestions into a list and is working on a map. These will aid in identifying potential
expansions to existing historic districts, planning for future historic districts, or informing possible
nominations of resources to the National Register of Historic Places. Staff has shared the current list
with the board, and this topic can be discussed in further detail at this meeting.
Muskegon County Civil Rights Survey Project – Staff is involved with a project being run through
the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to research and document sites related to the Civil
Rights Movement in Muskegon County. This project will conduct an intensive -level survey of Civil
Rights-related sites throughout Muskegon County and develop K-12 educational materials based on
the findings of the survey. The project began in July 2021 and will continue through December 2022.
If you or anyone you know have input on significant Civil Rights sites in the city or county, or are
interested in getting involved in the project, please talk to Staff or contact Cheri Szcodronski with
Firefly Preservation Consulting at 615-604-5618 or cheri@fireflypreservation.com. Anyone from the
general public can also reach out to Cheri, and a comment form is available online here:
https://forms.gle/1hdZQ4sFqaiVXwYk9
VI. ADJOURN
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