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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE OF MEETING: Tuesday, January 3, 2017
TIME OF MEETING: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: City Commission Chambers, City Hall
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
III. Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of November 1, 2016
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
Case 2017-01 – 430 W Clay Ave – Future addition plans
Case 2017-02 – 540 W Webster Ave – Revised addition
VI. Other Business
VII. 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
933 Terrace Street
Muskegon, MI 49440
(231) 724-6705
TTY/TDD: Dial 7-1-1 and request that representative dial 231-724-6705
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Case 2017-01 – 430 W Clay Ave
Applicant: Lakeshore Museum Center
District: Clay-Western
Current Function: Institutional
Discussion
The museum is considering an addition to its building in the near future. They currently own the building
to the north at 477 W Western Ave, which they use as their archive facility. They also rent space in the
building that hosts Rykes bakery on Terrace St, which they use for storage. They would like to consoli-
date into once central location. In order to accomplish this, they would need to purchase the two homes to
the west and raze them in order to make room for the addition. They are seeking a discussion with the
board to gather input. More information will be presented at the meeting.
Homes at 444 & 448 W Clay
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Parking lot owned by the museum, located to the west of the house at 448 W Clay
Building at 477 W Western, the museum’s archive facility.
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Standards
Sec. 11-31. Approval of demolition or moving of structures of historic or architec-
tural worth.
(a) The demolition or moving of structures of historic or architectural worth shall be discour-
aged. The commission shall not issue a certificate of approval for demolition of such a struc-
ture, except when the structure is deemed a hazard to public health or safety by a responsible
public agency. The commission may, at its own discretion, issue a certificate of approval for
the demolition or moving of such structure, but shall be guided by the following conditions in
exercising its judgment in granting such a certificate:
(1) The director of building inspection deems such structure to be a hazard to public safety or
health and repairs are impossible.
(2) Such structure is a deterrent to a major improvement program which will be of substantial
benefit to the community.
(3) Retention of such structure would cause undue financial hardship to the owner, which
would be defined as a situation where more funds than is reasonable would be required to re-
tain the structure.
(4) The retention of such structure would not be in the interest of the community as a whole.
(b) In cases where approval for demolition is granted, for reasons other than public health or
safety, such certificate shall not become effective until six (6) months after the date of such is-
suance, in order to provide a period of time within which it may be possible to relieve a hard-
ship or to cause the property to be transferred to another owner who will retain the structure.
(Ord. No. 737, § 9, 9-25-73)
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Case 2017-02 – 540 W Webster Ave
Applicant: Jere Clausen
District: Clay-Western
Current Function: Residential
Discussion
This property was approved for a two-story addition in 2016, however, the owner has changed his mind
regarding his plans for the home. He is now proposing to rebuild the porch in the exact same place of the
existing porch and will match the previous structure exactly in height, footprint, material and configura-
tion. However, they would like to add a sliding door, an awning window and a double hung window on
the west side. Please see the enclosed documents.
Standards
CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
PORCH AND DECK STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
(Adopted December 6, 1994 - Effective January 1, 1995)
Covered Porches
Existing screen or open porches shall not be enclosed with framing or windows without approval by the
Commission. Generally, when an open or screened porch is enclosed, the enclosure materials or windows
should preserve the appearance of a porch in order to maintain the original design and to avoid the visual
effect of a boxed-in appendage. This can often be accomplished with full length windows and exterior
screens which would extend from within a few inches off the floor or base of the existing porch opening
thus maintaining the effect of a screened in porch or solarium. On most full length porches, building up a
half-wall at the base and enclosing it with short windows would not be in keeping with the original design
of the house and would detract from the overall appearance. Each request for a porch enclosure will be
carefully analyzed by the Commission, taking into consideration the practical and intended usage of the
area and the overall visual effect upon the house.
Newly constructed covered porches shall be decked with tongue and groove decking and painted to com-
plement 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.
Freestanding or Attached Decks (Uncovered Porches)
Placement and design of all decks shall be approved by the Commission. Decks should be located in un-
obtrusive locations and shall feature one of the edge details featured on the attached decking detail illus-
tration. Decking boards shall consist of 5/4" thick pressure treated decking or square-edged fir decking
and appropriately finished.
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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
decks), the design shall generally conform to the railing and balustrade detail illustrated on the attached
sketches.
Deliberation
I move that the HDC (approve/deny) the request for the addition as proposed as long as it meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained.
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