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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 1, 2023
Chairperson S. Radtke called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Radtke, J. Huss, K. George, G. Borgman
MEMBERS ABSENT: D. Gregersen, excused; T. Emory, excused
STAFF PRESENT: J. Pesch, W. Webster
OTHERS PRESENT: F. Peterson and J. Salowitz (349 W. Webster); C. Nass (609 W. Western)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
J. Pesch explained that the minutes from the previous meeting were not yet complete. A motion to table the
approval of the regular meeting minutes of July 11, 2023 was made by G. Borgman, supported by T. Emory and
approved with S. Radtke, J. Huss, K. George and G. Borgman voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2023-15 – 609 W. Western Ave. – Windows
Applicant: Michael Kordecki - District: Clay-Western - Current Function: Commercial
The applicant was seeking approval to replace the existing, storefront windows and doors with new windows and
doors. J. Pesch noted that the work had already been started and provided photos of the building before and after
the work was started as well as a photo of the building prior to its 2000s conversion to a restaurant.
C. Nass specified that the work was not finished and that they still planned to replace rotted wood members and
the doors. He stated that the main difference with the appearance of the doors would be a change from two transom
windows to a single transom window. S. Radtke asked if a building permit had been issued for the work and J.
Pesch said that a permit had not been issued but the project was receiving funding assistance through a City of
Muskegon facade improvement program. A building permit application was submitted back in February, but the
HDC staff liaison was not notified. C. Nass added that one of the storefront windows was broken and was a safety
issue in light of popular downtown summer events coming up.
J. Pesch explained that the appearance of the storefront differed greatly from the original appearance of the
building. J. Huss pointed out that, historically, there were not transoms above the building’s storefront windows.
S. Radtke stated that the new windows were sliding windows and asked if the local standards allowed for such
windows in this historic district. J. Pesch explained that there were no specific local standards for commercial
storefronts versus residential houses, but that local standards for commercial storefronts may be something that
the board should consider despite there being very few commercial buildings in the historic districts.
C. Nass stated that, much like other downtown restaurants, they were hoping to use operational windows rather
than non-operational windows and added that they would be painted gray to blend with the rest of the storefront.
G. Borgman asked if the applicant would be open to other options. S. Radtke said that his preference would be
for fixed storefront glass, but acknowledged that the prior storefront design was not historical, the building did
not have much historical or architectural significance, and the building had already been heavily modified from
its original appearance. J. Pesch reiterated that the most the HDC would have to rely on in terms of local standards
was largely focused on residential windows and that repair of existing windows or replacement with matching
windows was the preferred route.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the existing storefront windows and doors with new
windows and doors that fit the existing openings and a single transom window above the doors as long as the
work meets all zoning requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by G. Borgman, supported
by K. George and approved with S. Radtke, G. Borgman, J. Huss, and K. George voting aye.
Case 2023-16 – 349 W. Webster Ave. – Roof and Wall
Applicant: 349 W. Webster LLC - District: National Register - Current Function: Institutional (vacant)
The applicant was seeking approval to remove and repair a significant portion of the main roof and third-story
stonework along the south elevation of the building, reconstructing the facade with the same stone and windows
in the same configuration. If deteriorated stonework required replacement, it was proposed that stone on the non-
functioning chimneys be used. The work would facilitate interior repair of failing trusses that would involve
straightening, raising to the original elevation, and adding structural supports. J. Pesch added that while this work
was not proposed to change the exterior appearance of the building in any noticeable way, it was a massive project
that he felt warranted formal review and approval from the HDC rather than staff approval.
F. Peterson noted that the roof trusses appeared to be wedging themselves in a space and pushing the outside wall
out on the building’s south elevation. J. Salowitz added that this had been the condition for the last 100 years, but
more recently there had been a number of failures – issues arising from large chunks of failing plaster on the
interior – that were resulting in damage to the roof trusses. J. Salowitz explained which section of the wall would
be disassembled, categorized, and ultimately reassembled in the same configuration once the structure of the
building was addressed; the restoration consultant secured for the project would have access to replacement stone,
if needed, from a quarry in Minnesota. While the quarry was not the one that provided the original stone for the
building (that quarry was in Holland and had since been redeveloped into a subdivision), it would negate the need
to utilize stone from the chimneys for the reconstruction.
G. Borgman asked when the roof, south wall, and structural work would begin. J. Salowitz stated that he had
letters of intent from contractors for fall of 2023, and if not then, spring 2024. J. Salowitz briefly discussed
potential future plans for the chimneys and future plans for addressing the rest of the building’s facades. F.
Peterson and J. Salowitz further explained the changes to the interior that were planned with the work, calling
attention to the need for new structural columns to support the roof. While the columns would be located as
unobtrusively as possible, they would have to run through the middle of the auditorium space on the top floor.
S. Radtke stated that he had concerns with applying a sealant to the exterior stone since it was acknowledged that
some of the deterioration of the stone may be the result of moisture on the inside face rather than the outside face
of the stone. He was worried that a sealant could trap that moisture. F. Peterson explained that each stone would
be evaluated individually and that the consultant had a process to avoid potential further water damage to the
stone.
J. Salowitz stated that the reconstruction plan was to reuse the existing windows which had likely been installed
in the 1990s, and if any of the windows were damaged during the work they would be temporarily boarded up
and dealt with in a future phase of work. While the original request called for potentially using stone from the
chimneys, that would no longer be necessary, but the board discussed the architectural significance of the
chimneys and if they were to be removed in the future.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to remove and repair a significant portion of the main roof and third-
story stonework along the south elevation of the building, reconstructing the facade with the same stone and
windows in the same configuration, using matching stone from a quarry in Minnesota if deteriorated stonework
requires replacement, and allowing identical replacement windows, if needed, as long as the work meets all zoning
requirements and the necessary permits are obtained was made by J. Huss, supported by G. Borgman and
approved with K. George, J. Huss, G. Borgman, and S. Radtke voting aye.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.