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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 1, 2020
Vice Chairperson S. Radtke called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Radtke, T. Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, A. Riegler, L. Wood
MEMBERS ABSENT: T. Painter
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, D. Renkenberger, R. Cummins
OTHERS PRESENT: I. Collins, 320 Monroe Ave.; R. Briggs, 380 Houston Ave.; D.
Kendrick, 314 Monroe Ave.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of August 4, 2020 was made by K. George,
supported by A. Riegler and approved with T. Emory, A. Riegler, S. Radtke, K. Panozzo, K.
George and L. Wood voting aye.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2020-17 – 320 Monroe Avenue (Shed). Applicant: Iesha Collins. District: Houston. Current
Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant is seeking approval to
construct a new 10’ x 12’, wood frame, vinyl-sided shed in the back yard of the property. Pictures
of the shed and its proposed placement location were provided. Staff had previously approved a
patio seating area and driveway addition for this property.
Board members reviewed the photo of the proposed shed and concurred that it was appropriate for
this area (Midtown Square), as the nine homes in this development were all new and vinyl-sided.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to construct a 10’ x 12’, wood frame, vinyl sided shed
as presented in the September 1st, 2020 HDC Staff Report as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained, was made by A. Riegler, supported by S.
Radtke and unanimously approved, with S. Radtke, T. Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, and A.
Riegler voting aye.
Case 2020-18 – 380 Houston Avenue (Ramp and Paved Parking Pad). Applicant: Community
encompass. District: Houston. Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report.
The applicant is seeking approval to construct a wood/composite ADA ramp on the front, lower
porch and an ADA parking pad along the east side of the property, accessed from the rear alley.
Detailed drawings of the proposed ramp were provided in the staff report.
K. George represented developer R. Briggs and disclosed that she worked for Community
encompass and would therefore abstain from voting on this case. She described the construction
of the house and stated that they would use appropriate materials and ensure that the ramp matched
the porch and fit in with the rest of the house. A. Riegler stated that the switchback style of the
ramp would detract from the aesthetics of the house itself, as it would be located right in the front.
K. George stated that they planned to put a skirt on the ramp and make it appear as part of the
porch as much as they were able. The grade on the property was challenging and made it very
difficult to install a ramp alongside the house, and the driveway configuration was changed to
shorten the distance between the parking space and the ramp.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to construct a wood/composite ADA ramp on the
front, lower porch and an ADA parking pad along the east side of the property, accessed from the
rear alley as long as the work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained,
was made by K. Panozzo, supported by S. Radtke and approved, with S. Radtke, T. Emory, K.
Panozzo, and A. Riegler voting aye, and K. George abstaining.
Case 2020-19 – 314 Monroe Avenue (Shed). Applicant: David Kendrick. District: Nelson.
Current Function: Residential. J. Pesch presented the staff report. The applicant is seeking approval
to construct a new 10’ x 12’, wood frame shed in the back yard of the property. The shed will be
sided with engineered wood siding.
D. Kendrick was the property owner. He explained that the shed would be placed in the right rear
corner of the back yard, which was enclosed by a 6-foot privacy fence. The shed would be made
of wood, painted brown with white trim, and placed on galvanized joists. It would be located about
55 feet from the home’s rear deck. A. Riegler asked if the siding would be vertical or horizontal,
and what the roof pitch was. D. Kendrick stated that the siding would be vertical; he was unsure
about the roof pitch. A. Riegler was concerned that the roof slope and the door were out of
proportion. K. George stated that it appeared that the roof had a 4/12 pitch, which was not common
in historic districts. She also stated that a double door would be preferable to the proposed barn-
style door. A. Riegler asked if the roof could be raised to make it better proportioned, since that
part of the shed would be visible. D. Kendrick stated that, although some items on the shed such
as the skylight and flooring were options and could be changed, the roof pitch was not. A. Riegler
stated that most features of the shed fit the criteria of “not recommended” in the HDC Guidelines
for New Construction.
Because it did not meet HDC standards, a motion that the HDC deny the request to construct the
proposed 10’ x 12’, wood frame shed sided with engineered wood siding as presented in the
September 1st, 2020 HDC Staff Report was made by A. Riegler and supported by T. Emory and
unanimously approved, with S. Radtke, T. Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, A. Riegler, and L.
Wood voting aye.
D. Kendrick stated that he understood the HDC’s ruling but would have liked to have been made
aware of the pitch requirements ahead of time. He asked for board input so he could return to a
future meeting with a revised shed proposal. Staff and board members discussed the HDC
standards. A. Riegler added that the shed should also fit in with the flavor of the neighborhood,
and this area had a lot of Victorian-style homes with the steeper roof pitches. S. Radtke suggested
that the board make their recommendations and allow staff to approve a revised proposal, so that
Mr. Kendrick could continue with construction without waiting another month for the next HDC
meeting. A. Riegler and K. George discussed measurements that should be taken into consideration
such as roof pitch, wall height and door size. S. Radtke stated that he would be comfortable
allowing A. Riegler and J. Pesch to review and approve a revised shed, since they were both
familiar with the requirements and understood what the board was looking for. S. Radtke suggested
that a motion specify 7-foot walls, a minimum 6/12 roof pitch, and double doors, and allow the
design to be approved by J. Pesch and A. Riegler. Board members concurred.
A motion that the HDC approve a 10’ x 12’ wooden shed with vertical engineered wood siding as
long as the side walls are at least 7 feet tall, the roof pitch is at least 6/12, and the door is 3’6” wide
divided into two leaves, and to allow Staff to approve a revised proposal within those parameters,
was made by A. Riegler, supported by K. George and unanimously approved, with S. Radtke, T.
Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, A. Riegler, and L. Wood voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER BUSINESS
CLG Application – J. Pesch reviewed the goals and associated tasks to be included as part of the
Certified Local Government (CLG) application. Board members concurred with staff’s comments.
Staff also presented a cover letter to be signed by the Mayor requesting certification, which would
be brought to the City Commission for approval at their September 8th meeting.
A motion that the HDC approve the goals and tasks, and the cover letter as presented by staff as
part of the Certified Local Government application was made by A. Riegler, supported by S.
Radtke and unanimously approved, with S. Radtke, T. Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, A. Riegler,
and L. Wood voting aye.
HDC File System – Staff has been reviewing the Historic District Commission’s files, both
physical and digital, dating back to the creation of the HDC in the 1970s. An organizational system
has been developed that should allow for easier access to information on past cases, with the long-
term goal of making information on Muskegon’s historic districts – and the historic resources
within them – more accessible to the general public. As a first step, all HDC meeting minutes on
file will be added to the City website over the coming months.
Public Comment Period – Time was allotted for public comment with contact information
provided. There were no comments from the public.
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
K. Panozzo nominated S. Radtke for Chairperson supported by L. Wood; S. Radtke accepted the
nomination. S. Radtke nominated A. Riegler as Vice Chairperson supported by K. Panozzo; A.
Riegler accepted the nomination. A vote was taken and unanimously approved, with S. Radtke, T.
Emory, K. George, K. Panozzo, A. Riegler, and L. Wood voting aye.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:14 p.m.
DR