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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, October 4, 2022
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 6, 2022
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
Case 2022-32 – 593 W. Western – New Construction
Case 2022-33 – 1347 Peck – Fence
V. Other Business
Staff Approval Update #3
VI. Adjourn
“We admire that which is old not because it is old, but because it is beautiful.” Winston Churchill
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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
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II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of September 6, 2022.
III. OLD BUSINESS
None
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2022-32 – 593 W. Western – New Construction
Applicant: Mulder Western Ave LLC
District: Clay-Western
Current Function: Vacant Lot
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to construct a new three-story mixed-use building with a
community room penthouse level.
Rendering of proposed new building viewed from W. Western Avenue, looking south.
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Existing vacant lot viewed from W. Western Avenue, looking south.
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Proposed building site plan.
Proposed W. Western Avenue elevation showing setback penthouse level.
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Standards
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
Although a significant amount of the Commission’s work is centered on historic structures, the
construction of new structures on vacant lots within historic districts is permitted and encouraged.
However, those professionals designing new structures should strive for excellence in design whether
small individual infill construction within the existing historic district blocks, or larger independently
sited projects. New structures should be in keeping with the existing historical character of the
neighborhood or district with a design that is compatible with the size, scale, material, and color of
the surrounding buildings and landscaping. Good design which responds positively to its surroundings
can be done in several different ways; therefore, it is impossible to develop specific interpretations
which will apply in all cases. Every site has its own design opportunities.
The following design recommendations shall be used by the Historic District Commission in
evaluating requests for new construction within the districts. These basic criteria should be a part of
any proposed design brought before the Commission for approval.
Recommended Not Recommended
Height - Relating the overall height of new Height - Introducing new construction that
construction to that of adjacent structures. As varies greatly in height (too high or too low)
a general rule, construct new buildings to a from older buildings in the vicinity. Extreme
height roughly equal to the average height of differences in building heights will have a
existing buildings from the historic period on detrimental visual effects on the appearance
and across the street. of surrounding property.
Scale - Relating the size and proportions of Scale - Creating buildings that in height,
new structures to the scale of adjacent width, or massing violate the existing scale of
buildings. Although a building may be much the area. The new building should not disrupt
larger than its neighbors in terms of square the scale and rhythm of the streetscape,
footage, it should maintain the same scale although it might be appropriate in a different
and rhythm as the existing buildings. location.
Massing - Breaking up uninteresting box-like Massing - Introducing single, monolithic
forms into smaller, varied masses such as are forms that are not relieved by variations in
common on most buildings from the historic massing. Box-like facades and forms are
period. Variety of form and massing are intrusive when placed in a streetscape of
elements essential to the character of the older buildings that have varied massing and
streetscape in historic districts. For example, facade articulation.
if an infill site is large, the mass of the facade
can be broken into a number of small bays.
Directional Expression - Relating the Directional Expression - Creating strongly
vertical, horizontal, or non-directional facade horizontal or vertical facade expressions
character of new buildings to the unless compatible with the character of
predominant directional expression of nearby structures in the immediate area. A new
buildings. Horizontal buildings can be made building that does not relate well to its
to relate to the more vertical adjacent neighbors or to the rhythm of the streetscape
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structures by breaking the facade into smaller because of an unbroken horizontal facade
masses that conform to the primary should be avoided.
expression of the streetscape.
Setback - Maintaining the historic facade Setback - Violating the existing setback
lines of streetscape by locating front walls of pattern by placing a new building in front of
new buildings in the same plane as the or behind the historic facade line. Placing
facades of adjacent buildings. If exceptions buildings at odd angles to the street, unless in
are made, buildings should be set back into an area where diverse siting already exists,
the lot rather than closer to the street. If even if property setback is maintained,
existing setbacks vary, new buildings should should be avoided.
conform to historic siting patterns.
Sense of Entry - Articulating the main Sense of Entry - Introducing facades with no
entrances to the building with covered strong sense of entry. Side entries or entries
porches, porticos, and other pronounced not defined by a porch or similar transitional
architectural forms. Entries were historically element result in an incompatible "flat" first-
raised a few steps above the grade of the floor facade.
property and 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
visually compatible.
Rhythm of Openings - Respecting the Rhythm of Openings - Introducing
recurrent alteration of wall areas with door incompatible facade patterns that upset the
and window elements in the facade. Also rhythm of openings established in
considering the width-to-height ratio of bays surrounding structures. For example, glass
in the facade. The placement of openings walls and window and door shapes and
with respect to the facade's overall locations which are disrespectful to the
composition, symmetry or balanced adjoining buildings.
symmetry should be carefully studied.
Design Expression - Composing the Design Expression - Violating the existing
materials, textures and colors of the new character of the district by introducing non-
building facade to compliment adjacent compatible materials, textures, colors,
facades and relating details and decorations details, and decoration on new buildings.
of the new building to those of existing
surrounding buildings.
Imitations - Accurate restoration of or Imitations - Replicating or imitating the
visually compatible additions to existing styles, motif, or details of older periods. Such
buildings and former construction, attempts detract from the character of the
contemporary architecture that well district by compromising what is truly
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represents our own time yet, enhances the historic.
nature and character of the historic district.
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to construct a new three-story mixed-use building
with a community room penthouse level as presented at the October 4, 2022 HDC meeting as long
as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2022-33 – 1347 Peck – Fence
Applicant: Helen Sherman
District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to install a four-foot-tall chain link fence in the front and side
yards of the property.
View of south and east (front) elevations from Peck Street.
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Site plan noting proposed location of fence.
Standards
FENCE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
General
Fences and gates are an extension of the architecture of a home. They should be compatible in style
and material. They should be appropriate to the size and scale of the structure. They, therefore, require
review and approval by the Historic District Commission.
Sometimes it is necessary to use fencing for other than decorative purposes, such as marking bound-
aries, privacy, screening unsightly areas, or security. Fencing for utilitarian purposes sometimes re-
quires fencing materials which are not of the period or character of the house. Nonconforming fencing
materials may be considered for use in the back of the structure.
Fence Guidelines
When building wood fencing, consideration should be given to the kind of wood best suited for the
project, adequate post foundations, weatherproofing, color, and amount of maintenance required. Sim-
ple variations of wood picket-style fencing are appropriate to many period homes. Wood fences must
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be painted to complement or contrast the colors of the house. Pressure treated wood shall be painted
no later than one year after installation.
Iron fencing is an appropriate option for Victorian-era homes. Iron fencing was often modest in pro-
portion, seldom exceeding four feet in height. A popular standard was 36 inches.
Fencing materials such as split rails, stone, and brick may be considered if they reflect the feeling of
the home in material and character.
Chain-link and similar utilitarian fencing, such as industrial fencing, wire mesh, and barbed wire, is
not permitted in the front of a structure.
Hedges and natural fencing are possible alternatives to fences.
Fence Standards
LAYOUT REQUIREMENTS: (Please see the attached Supplementary Graphics sheets)
Conforming open fences not over four (4) feet and conforming solid fences not over three (3) feet in
height are permitted between the property line and halfway between the front and rear setback lines.
Corner lots will be considered to have two front yards, except that non-conforming fences higher than
four (4) feet will be permitted immediately behind the existing side setback line (rather than halfway
between the front and rear).
SUPPLEMENTARY GRAPHICS SHEETS:
These sheets are attached and include the following:
Fence Location/Layout Standards
“Type A” – Conforming Walls and Fences
“Type B” – Conforming Rear Lot Fences; Non-Conforming Fences
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to install a four-foot-tall chain link fence in the front
and side yards of the property as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary
permits are obtained.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
2022 Staff Approval Update #3 – Since the last update in July 2022, Staff has approved three
projects, those bolded were discussed with the HDC chairperson prior to approval:
- 1314 Peck – Removal of defunct chimney
- 1541 Clinton – Repair damaged siding and trim
- 1642 Jefferson – Installation of 4’-tall black aluminum fence
VII. ADJOURN
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