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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Thursday, October 15, 2020
TIME OF MEETING: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: Conference Room 204, City Hall
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. New Business
Case 2020-22 – 401 W. Western – Windows
Case 2020-23 – 1522 Clinton – New Construction (Garage)
III. Old Business
IV. Other Business
Resolution Ratifying and Confirming Prior Historic District Commission Approvals
MHPN Historic Resources Directory
V. 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 impaired and audio
tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities who want to attend 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 representative dial 231-724-6705
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II. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2020-22 – 401 W. Western – Windows
Applicant: Frauenthal Center/Community Foundation for Muskegon County
District: Downtown Structures
Current Function: Commercial
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to replace 102 windows. 57 windows are on the north and west
facades of the offices fronting W. Western Avenue and 3rd Street, respectively; 6 small windows are
on the 3rd Street side of the building on the upper floors and closer to the alley; 14 windows are in
the alley; 3 windows are above the main roofline of the building on the elevator equipment room; 21
windows are in an internal courtyard not visible from the street; 1 window is on the west façade, fac-
ing 4th Street. The work has been partially completed.
View of structure from intersection of W. Western Avenue and 3rd Street, six easat-facing windows
visible at left
2
View of structure from W. Western Avenue with previous windows visible at right
View of north façade showing design of new and existing windows
3
View showing three windows in elevator equipment room and one west-facing window
Typical window style currently used in alley
4
Standards (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 ac-
tion. 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 ap-
proval. Unusual decorative windows such as Palladian windows, oriels, bays, Gothic arch or seg-
ment 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 windows are placed inside the existing window frames rather than affixed to the exteri-
or 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 ac-
ceptable as long as they do not detract from the appearance of the primary windows. Care should be
taken, however, when using interior storm windows because condensation tends to form on the in-
side surface of the primary window and could cause damage to the wood and paint if not properly
ventilated.
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to replace 102 windows: 57 windows on the north
and west facades of the offices fronting W. Western Avenue and 3rd Street; 6 small windows on the
3rd Street side of the building on the upper floors and closer to the alley; 14 windows in the alley; 3
windows above the main roofline of the building on the elevator equipment room; 21 windows in an
internal courtyard not visible from the street; and 1 window on the west façade, facing 4th Street as
long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2020-23 – 1522 Clinton – New Construction (Garage)
Applicant: Belinda Spray
District: Clinton-Peck
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to construct a new 12’ x 20’, wood frame, vinyl sided garage in
the rear yard of the property accessed from the rear alley. The work has been partially completed.
View of house from side yard, new garage out of view at left
7
View of new garage from rear yard
8
Side elevation of garage viewed from rear yard, alley visible at left
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View of new garage from rear alley
Standards
New Construction
Recommended Not Recommended
Height - Relating the overall height of new Height - Introducing new construction that
construction to that of adjacent structures. varies greatly in height (too high or too low)
As a general rule, construct new buildings to from older buildings in the vicinity. Ex-
a height roughly equal to the average height treme differences in building heights will
of existing buildings from the historic period have a detrimental visual effects on the ap-
on and across the street. pearance of surrounding property.
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Scale - Relating the size and proportions of Scale - Creating buildings that in height,
new structures to the scale of adjacent build- width, or massing violate the existing scale
ings. Although a building may be much of the area. The new building should not
larger than its neighbors in terms of square disrupt the scale and rhythm of the
footage, it should maintain the same scale streetscape, although it might be appropriate
and rhythm as the existing buildings. in a different location.
Massing - Breaking up uninteresting box- Massing - Introducing single, monolithic
like forms into smaller, varied masses such forms that are not relieved by variations in
as are common on most buildings from the massing. Box-like facades and forms are
historic period. Variety of form and intrusive when placed in a streetscape of
massing are elements essential to the charac- older buildings that have varied massing and
ter of the streetscape in historic districts. facade articulation.
For example, if an infill site is large, the
mass of the facade can be broken into a
number of small bays.
Directional Expression - Relating the verti- Directional Expression - Creating strongly
cal, horizontal, or non-directional facade horizontal or vertical facade expressions un-
character of new buildings to the predomi- less compatible with the character of struc-
nant directional expression of nearby build- tures in the immediate area. A new building
ings. Horizontal buildings can be made to that does not relate well to its neighbors or
relate to the more vertical adjacent structures to the rhythm of the streetscape because of
by breaking the facade into smaller masses an unbroken horizontal facade should be
that conform to the primary expression of avoided.
the streetscape.
Setback - Maintaining the historic facade Setback - Violating the existing setback pat-
lines of streetscape by locating front walls of tern by placing a new building in front of or
new buildings in the same plane as the fa- behind the historic facade line. Placing
cades of adjacent buildings. If exceptions buildings at odd angles to the street, unless
are made, buildings should be set back into in an area where diverse siting already ex-
the lot rather than closer to the street. If ex- ists, even if property setback is maintained,
isting setbacks vary, new buildings should should be avoided.
conform to historic siting patterns.
Sense of Entry - Articulating the main en- Sense of Entry - Introducing facades with no
trances to the building with covered porches, strong sense of entry. Side entries or entries
porticos, and other pronounced architectural not defined by a porch or similar transitional
forms. Entries were historically raised a few element result in an incompatible "flat" first-
steps above the grade of the property and floor facade.
were a prominent visual feature of the street
elevation of the building.
Roof Shapes - Relating the roof forms of the Roof Shapes - Introducing roof shapes,
new buildings to those found in the area. pitches, or materials not traditionally used in
Although not entirely necessary, duplication the area.
of the existing or traditional roof shapes,
pitches, and materials on new construction is
one way of making new structures more vis-
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ually compatible.
Rhythm of Openings - Respecting the recur- Rhythm of Openings - Introducing incom-
rent alteration of wall areas with door and patible facade patterns that upset the rhythm
window elements in the facade. Also con- of openings established in surrounding
sidering the width-to-height ratio of bays in structures. For example, glass walls and
the facade. The placement of openings with window and door shapes and locations
respect to the facade's overall composition, which are disrespectful to the adjoining
symmetry or balanced symmetry should be buildings.
carefully studied.
Design Expression - Composing the materi- Design Expression - Violating the existing
als, textures and colors of the new building character of the district by introducing non-
facade to compliment adjacent facades and compatible materials, textures, colors, de-
relating details and decorations of the new tails, and decoration on new buildings.
building to those of existing surrounding
buildings.
Imitations - Accurate restoration of or visu- Imitations - Replicating or imitating the
ally compatible additions to existing build- styles, motif, or details of older periods.
ings and former construction, contemporary Such attempts detract from the character of
architecture that well represents our own the district by compromising what is truly
time yet, enhances the nature and character historic.
of the historic district.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to construct a new 12’ x 20’, wood frame, vinyl
sided garage in the rear yard of the property accessed from the rear alley as long as the work meets
all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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III. OLD BUSINESS
None
IV. OTHER BUSINESS
Resolution Ratifying and Confirming Prior Historic District Commission Approvals – Staff is
requesting approval of the attached resolution to ratify and confirm, nunc pro tunc, all of the Histor-
ic District Commission’s actions approved at Historic District Commission meetings held after April
30, 2020, which were conducted remotely via technological means in compliance with the Executive
Orders.
MHPN Historic Resources Directory – The Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s Historic
Resource Council has provided copies of their Spring 2019 Member Directory. The Directory is
published to serve as a resource for individuals and companies in Michigan and surrounding areas
looking for preservation professionals. Copies will be distributed to HDC board members.
V. ADJOURN
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ATTACHMENT
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RESOLUTION RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING PRIOR
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APPROVALS
___________________________________
CITY OF MUSKEGON
County of Muskegon, State of Michigan
___________________________________
Minutes of a meeting of the Historic District Commission of the City of Muskegon, County
of Muskegon, Michigan (the “City”), held on the 15th day of October, 2020 at 5:30 p.m., prevailing
Eastern Time.
PRESENT: Members: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ABSENT: Members: __________________________________________________
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Member __________________ and
supported by Member _____________________.
WHEREAS, the Historic District Commission has previously approved various actions at
Historic District Commission meetings held after April 30, 2020, which were conducted remotely via
technological means in compliance with Governor Whitmer’s executive orders related to the COVID-
19 pandemic (the “Executive Orders”),; and
WHEREAS, in a recent opinion issued by the Michigan Supreme Court on October 2, 2020,
in the case of Midwest Institute of Health, PLLC v Whitmer, the Supreme Court held that the Governor
did not have authority to issue executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic under either the
Emergency Management Act of 1976 or the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 after
April 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Historic District Commission desires to ratify and confirm, nunc pro tunc,
its actions approved at Historic District Commission meetings held after April 30, 2020, which were
conducted remotely via technological means in compliance with the Executive Orders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Ratification. The Historic District Commission hereby ratifies and confirms, nunc pro
tunc, all of the Historic District Commission’s actions approved at Historic District Commission
meetings held after April 30, 2020, which were conducted remotely via technological means in
compliance with the Executive Orders.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
YEAS:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
Steven Radtke
Chairperson, Historic District Commission
I hereby certify that the foregoing constitutes a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted
by the Historic District Commission of the City of Muskegon, County of Muskegon, State of
Michigan, at a meeting held on October 15th, 2020, and that said meeting was conducted and public
notice of said meeting was given pursuant to and in full compliance with the Open Meetings Act,
being Act 267, Public Acts of 1976, and that the minutes of said meeting were kept and will be or
have been made available as required by said Act.
Steven Radtke
Chairperson, Historic District Commission
36662191.1\088888-01672
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