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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
March 7, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairperson J. Hilt.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, S. Thompson, A. Brown, T. Russo, T. Bosma, S. Kroes,
L. Spataro
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: J. Fitzpatrick, D. Leafers
OTHERS PRESENT: K. Donovan, Muskegon Construction, 411 W. Western Ave
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regarding the February minutes, S. Thompson stated that she had voted nay on case number 2006-
13. Also, staff received a letter from B. Stanton asking that his comments to L. Spataro’s reasons
for denial of his request on case number 2006-08 be included in the minutes.
A motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 7, 2006 be approved, with the vote on
the motion for case 2006-13 corrected to approved, with S. Thompson voting nay, and that B.
Stanton’s letter be appended, was made by L. Spataro, supported by A. Brown and unanimously
approved.
NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Case 2006–15 - 8th Street Condos, Building A behind Boilerworks –Request for changes to the
exterior including new basement egress openings. Applicant: HDC Construction. District:
Boilerworks. J. Fitzpatrick presented the staff report. Applicant is requesting approval of changes
to the exterior of the building located behind the Boilerworks building. As proposed, the egress
openings on the north and south elevations will resemble coal chutes. Staff recommends approval of
the request to install two new egress openings that resemble coal chutes on Building A located
behind the Boilerworks. The alternative would be two new egress windows similar in style to the
existing windows.
S. Kroes arrived at 4:06 p.m.
S. Thompson asked why another opening was needed. K. Donovan stated that it was to comply
with the city Inspection Department code requiring another egress. They thought that using a metal
panel to resemble a coal chute would look best, while also meeting city code.
HDC Minutes 03/07/06 1
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install two egress openings to resemble coal chutes
as illustrated in the submitted plans, was made by T. Bosma, supported by A. Brown and
unanimously approved.
OTHER
Update of Historic District Ordinance At the request of the Chair, the issue of updating the City’s
Historic District Ordinance was included on the agenda. It appears that in 2004 updates were
suggested but no action was taken. Proposed ordinance changes from 2004 were included in the
packet as well as a response from the City Attorney regarding those proposed changes. At this time
staff is seeking direction on whether or not to pursue updating the ordinance.
J. Hilt suggested that the board and staff work with the State to update the City’s historic district
ordinance. L. Spataro stated that the information in the packet didn’t include the current language.
J. Fitzpatrick stated that it was out of date, but it illustrated some of the changes that were
previously suggested. He stated that he could send a copy to the State for suggested changes or to
see what was out of date. T. Bosma thought that it sounded like a good starting point. J. Fitzpatrick
asked board members if there were any specific issues they wanted him to look at. S. Thompson
asked if the board had any say over homes that were directly adjacent to a designated historic
district. J. Fitzpatrick stated they did not. S. Thompson asked if the board could choose specific
properties outside a historic district and include them. L. Spataro stated that it was possible to set
up a one-house historic district. The HDC would have to make a recommendation to the City
Commission and it would have to be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office. A public
hearing would also have to be held, then the City Commission could create a new district. The
Boilerworks district was created in the last five years, and there was also a new district pending for
the 5 buildings left on the old mall site. Any ordinance changes would also have to be reviewed by
the City’s Legislative Policy Committee. S. Kroes stated that she would be interested in seeing
ordinances from similar urban areas that have had a decline.
A motion to have staff collect information on historic district ordinances from similar cities and
bring that information to next month’s meeting was made by L. Spataro, supported by S. Kroes and
unanimously approved.
House on Sanford St. – J. Hilt asked staff about a house on Sanford St. that had a couple of broken
windows. J. Fitzpatrick stated that he would check with the City Inspections Department.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
dml
03/07/06
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