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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
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 October 3, 2023 regular meeting and October 25, 2023 special
meeting
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
Case 2023-23 – 74 Delaware – Porch
V. Other Business
Update on Dangerous Buildings in the Historic Districts
Commercial Storefront Design Standards
HDC Public Outreach/Realtors
Denial Motions
VI. Adjourn
“We admire that which is old not because it is old, but because it is beautiful.” Winston Churchill
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paired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities who want to
attend the meeting with twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the City of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring
auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Muskegon by writing or by calling the following: Ann Marie Meisch,
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II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of October 3, 2023 and the special meeting of October
25, 2023.
III. OLD BUSINESS
None.
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IV. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2023-23 – 74 Delaware – Porch
Applicant: Tony and Amy Mueller
District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to remove the damaged front porch and rebuild it.
View of south elevation from Delaware Avenue (photo from November 2022).
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View of west elevation from Delaware Avenue (photo from November 2022).
View of east elevation from Delaware Avenue (photo from November 2022).
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Standards
PORCH AND DECK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
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 origi-
nal 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 mem-
bers. 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.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to remove the damaged front porch and rebuild it as
long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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V. OTHER BUSINESS
Update on Dangerous Buildings in the Historic Districts – Staff from the Building Inspections
Department will be in attendance to review the status of properties currently listed by that
department as Dangerous Buildings. The Housing Board of Appeals’ process for reviewing
Dangerous Buildings will also be discussed as it pertains to the responsibilities of the Historic
District Commission.
Commercial Storefront Design Standards – At the August meeting, board members discussed
potentially adopting local standards for commercial storefronts as the local standards do not currently
address such situations. Staff will share examples from other cities and review where such standards
could be applicable in the city of Muskegon. This item was originally included on the October meeting
agenda, but was not discussed due to time constraints.
HDC Public Outreach/Realtors – Staff and board members continue to monitor when houses are
listed for sale in the districts, and at past meetings have discussed hosting an informational meeting
for area realtors. Staff proposes a continuation of that discussion. This item was originally included
on the October meeting agenda, but was not discussed due to time constraints.
Denial Motions – Staff wishes to discuss the process of denying an applicant’s request when an
alternative request is settled on and approved at a single meeting. This item was originally included
on the October meeting agenda, but was not discussed due to time constraints.
VI. ADJOURN
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