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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
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 April 1, 2025 regular meeting
III. Old Business
Case 2025-05 – 427 W. Muskegon – Doors
IV. New Business
Case 2025-11 – 540 W. Webster – Pergola/Garden Trellis and Windows
Case 2025-12 – 1428 Clinton – Porch Railing
V. Other Business
C. W. Marsh Company Building National Register Nomination Form Review
VI. Adjourn
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II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of April 1, 2025.
III. OLD BUSINESS
Case 2025-05 – 427 W. Muskegon – Doors
Applicant: Laketon Forest Properties – Terry Puffer
District: Houston
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to replace two wood front doors with doors of a similar style. This case
was reviewed at the February 4, 2025 meeting – an excerpt from the February meeting minutes is included
below:
J. Puffer explained the issues with glass being repeatedly broken in the doors, and that they had
considered a replacement door that did not contain a window. Instead, they settled on the option
included in the staff report. D. Gregersen noted that the false mullions within the glass were not
appropriate for the building and stated that he preferred a door style with a single pane of glass without
mullions.
The HDC discussed alternative options for addressing the repeated issue of broken glass in the doors
and recommended installing tempered glass. It was thought that this would be more appropriate than
full replacement of the doors, which appeared to be original based on photos on file with the HDC and
the detailing on the doors which was noted as being typical of the era and the building’s architecture.
S. Radtke stated that the option of installing tempered glass should be explored, and if infeasible, the
case could be revisited at a future meeting. D. Gregersen noted that the molding around the window on
the left side door made that window smaller, and that when looking into replacement glass, the company
completing the work could reduce the width of that molding so that the doors matched.
J. Puffer stated that this would be possible, and the HDC decided that the work required to address the
issue was basic maintenance and therefore did not require formal approval from the HDC.
Since then, the applicant has shared that there are further issues with the condition of the doors and has
requested to replace both with the door style presented previously.
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View from W. Muskegon Avenue, looking south (photo from September 2024).
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View of front doors proposed to be replaced (photo from September 2024).
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Proposed replacement door style.
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 construction.
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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 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 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 repair is not
possible, elements shall be replaced with matching wood members. Damaged or deteriorated wood elements
may be replaced or covered with formed aluminum or vinyl, subject to Commission 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.
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 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 inside surface of the primary window and could cause
damage to the wood and paint if not properly ventilated.
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 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.
Storm Doors
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Wooden storm and screen doors are preferred and will generally be the required option 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 finishes will be acceptable. In
general, storm and screen doors shall conform to those illustrated on the attached sheet. The door stiles and
rails should be a minimum of 4” wide and one lite doors, where practical, are preferred in order not to
detract from the existing primary door. Jalousie doors are not acceptable 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 removed but shall be repaired or replaced with matching materials where
possible.
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Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to replace two wood front doors with the doors presented
at the May 6, 2025 HDC meeting as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary
permits are obtained.
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IV. NEW BUSINESS
Case 2025-11 – 540 W. Webster – Pergola/Garden Trellis and Windows
Applicant: Jerald Clausen and Bruce Walters
District: Clay-Western
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to retain a non-permanent garden trellis/pergola constructed of driftwood
on the rear porch of the house and replace eight wood windows on the front and sides of the house with
replacement windows to match those used on the second floor.
View from W. Webster Avenue, looking west; two windows on dormer (one damaged), frontmost first-
story window on side elevation and three front porch windows to be replaced are visible.
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View from 7th Street, looking north; two first-story windows on side elevation (surrounding chimney) to
be replaced are visible.
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View from 7th Street, looking east; non-permanent garden trellis/pergola visible on rear porch.
Standards
See Window, Door, and Exterior Woodwork Standards and Guidelines in Case 2025-05 under Old
Business, above, and Porch and Deck Standards and Guidelines in Case 2025-12, below.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request to retain a non-permanent garden trellis/pergola
constructed of driftwood on the rear porch of the house and replace eight wood windows on the front and
sides of the house as identified in the May 6, 2025 HDC staff report with replacement windows of the same
size, design, proportions, and profile including grill patterns that match the existing windows’ grill patterns
and with the condition that grills must be permanently affixed to both the interior and the exterior of the
windows as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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Case 2025-12 – 1428 Clinton – Porch Railing
Applicant: Ollie Crawford
District: Clinton-Peck
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
The applicant is seeking approval to install a railing on the front porch.
View from Clinton Street, looking northeast; porch columns surround paved platform.
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View from Clinton Street, looking southeast; porch columns surround paved platform.
Standards
PORCH AND DECK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES (Abbreviated)
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 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 re-
quirements, 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
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decks), the design shall generally conform to the railing and balustrade detail illustrated on the attached
sketches.
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 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” 36”
New guardrails on commercial buildings shall conform to the minimum guardrail height for commercial
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. Pres-
sure 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 install a railing on the front porch as presented at the
May 6, 2025 HDC meeting as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits
are obtained.
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V. OTHER BUSINESS
C. W. Marsh Company Building National Register Nomination Form Review – Staff was notified
that the C. W. Marsh Company is pursuing National Register of Historic Places designation for their
building at 1385 Hudson Street. The nomination form will be presented to the State Historic Preservation
Review Board on May 30th, and as a Certified Local Government, the HDC is tasked with reviewing the
nomination form and providing any comments to the State Historic Preservation Office.
VI. ADJOURN
2025 Preservation Goals:
Increase awareness of Muskegon’s local historic districts within the community through direct mailings to
property owners within the districts and city-wide newsletters containing info on historic districts and HDC
procedures. Present to Neighborhood Associations on the same.
Apply to the SHPO Community Partnership Program to complete a survey of historic resources for one (or
more) of Muskegon’s existing historic districts.
Remain a resource for others to understand the history of our city and maintain relationships with other
local organizations that share similar purposes.
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