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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 1, 2017
Chairperson J. Hilt called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Radtke, A. Riegler, L. Wood
MEMBERS ABSENT: D. Warren, excused; K. Panozzo, excused
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: M. Geeting; K. Vanderkoede, 3402 Bradford NE, Gr Rapids MI for
the Amazon; K. George
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 5, 2017 was made by J. Hilt, supported by
S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2017-13 – 53 Iona. Porch Foundation. Applicant: Michael Geeting. District: McLaughlin
Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant is seeking
approval to cover the open spaces between the foundation columns supporting the front porch. Staff
has approved replacement of porch flooring.
M. Geeting stated that he would like to replace the lattice currently encircling the porch foundation
with primed and painted corrugated metal panels. He provided pictures of another house he had
done with similar work. He wanted something that would hold up better than lattice, and keep
animals from getting under the porch. He said he may also have to replace some of the damaged
floor deck with treated wood, and he had to install hand rails, per the building inspection
department. J. Hilt asked if there were rails on the porch previously. M. Geeting stated that there
were two rails, which had been heavily damaged. The new rails would be painted white with 1” x
2” spindles and a 2” x 6” top rail. He provided a picture of a railing similar to what he proposed.
A. Radtke stated that the HDC standards did not show a picture of the types of acceptable porch
skirts. S. Radtke explained the type of spindles that would be more appropriate. A. Riegler
suggested that the board vote on the porch skirt and railing separately. S. Radtke stated that the
porch skirt would need to be vented. A. Riegler stated that lattice would be an appropriate material,
but not nailed to the face of the porch as it currently was, and steel was not an historically
appropriate material.
A motion that the HDC deny the request to cover the open spaces between the porch foundation
columns with corrugated steel panels as proposed was made by A. Riegler, supported by S. Radtke
and approved, with A. Riegler, S. Radtke, and J. Hilt voting aye, and S. Kroes and L. Wood voting
nay.
HDC Minutes 8/01/17 1
A second motion to allow framed lattice panels to cover the open spaces between the porch
foundation columns was made by S. Radtke, supported by A. Riegler and approved, with J. Hilt, S.
Kroes, S. Radtke, A. Riegler, and L. Wood voting aye.
Board members proceeded to discuss the proposed porch railings and the type of spindles that were
appropriate. M. Geeting stated that whatever he used needed to be cost effective, as he was trying
to fix the house up and sell it. He provided a picture showing a rail unit with a top rail covering the
tops of the spindles, which would be painted white.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install a porch railing with a rail covering the tops of
the spindles as proposed, with the condition that the spindles face the inside was made by S. Radtke,
supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Radtke, A. Riegler, and
L. Wood voting aye.
Case 2017-14 – 550 W. Western Ave. Replacement Windows. Applicant: Trillium Amazon.
District: Clay-Western. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The
applicant is seeking approval to replace numerous casement style windows with double or single
hung windows due to weather-related damage. The windows will remain wood and maintain
muntins if required. The building already has double hung windows mixed with casement windows.
Over 50 broken casement windows or window mechanisms currently need to be replaced.
K. Vanderkoede spoke on behalf of the Amazon. He stated that all windows in the building were
replaced in 2000. They have had no issues with the double-hung windows, but the casement
windows were failing. They wished to replace the damaged casement windows with double-hung.
S. Radtke stated that he didn’t see a problem with the request, as the windows were already
replacement windows. A. Riegler concurred, stating that the proposed new windows would match
the current ones. K. Vanderkoede confirmed that the new double-hung windows would match
what was there.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the damaged casement windows with double-
hung windows as proposed, as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary
permits are obtained, was made by S. Radtke, supported by J. Hilt and unanimously approved, with
J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Radtke, A. Riegler, and L. Wood voting aye.
Case 2017-15 – 464 W. Clay Ave. Handicap access ramp. Applicant: Kimi George. District:
Clay-Western. Current Function: Vacant. This case was not listed on the meeting agenda but was
heard due to the applicant being present. K. George stated that she was considering purchasing this
building to open a salon and would need to install a handicap access ramp on the east side of the
house. They would need to remove a window and replace a door to fit the ramp, which would be
installed over the shared sidewalk.
A. Riegler left at 4:30 p.m.
The board reviewed renderings provided by the applicant. K. George stated that she would also be
seeking a zoning variance that would allow the business to be located there. It had been a bridal
boutique at one time but had been vacant for several years since.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install a handicap ramp on the east side of the house
as proposed so that the building will meet handicap accessibility standards, and that the installation
of the ramp will require the removal of one window and replacement of a door was made by J. Hilt,
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supported by L. Wood and unanimously approved, with J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Radtke, A. Riegler, and
L. Wood voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
Case 2017-06 – 1347 Peck Street – Siding. J. Pesch provided an update on this case. Staff met with
the property owner to determine exactly what work was being done to the exterior of the house. The
owner stated that the existing wood siding was being removed from the house to either replace the
rotting wood or repair damaged pieces. She was concerned about lead paint. A staff approval form
was filled out permitting the repairs to the wood siding. J. Pesch stated that he would continue to
monitor the project.
Case 2015-10 – 316 W. Webster Avenue – Doors. J. Pesch stated that he had been in
communication with Martha Ferriby, Director of the Hackley Public Library, regarding the status of
the building’s front doors. Ms. Ferriby stated that the doors were refurbished causing the wood to
appear lighter, the original metal trim and handles were cleaned, and the glass in the doors was
original. Documentation confirming the restoration work done to the doors was requested.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:46 p.m.
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