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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
December 5, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chairperson J. Hilt.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Thompson, L. Spataro, T. Bosma, L. Wood, K.
Panozzo
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: J. Fitzpatrick, H. Mitchell
OTHERS PRESENT: Yvette Rone, 1342 Peck; J. McGarry, Director of Muskegon County
Museum; K. Davis, 102 Iona.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of October 3, 2006 was made by S. Thompson,
supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Case 2006-39 – 1342 Peck Request to reinstall window where one had been replaced with French
doors without HDC approval. Applicant: Yvette Rone and Eleanor Harris. District: McLaughlin. J.
Fitzpatrick presented the staff report. The applicant had replaced the picture window without HDC
approval and without permits. Afterwards they came to the HDC, which turned down their request.
The City Inspections department has sent the owners a letter saying that they will fine them for not
getting permits; however they also need to have HDC approval. Staff has talked to the homeowner
and has suggested that the best situation would be to replace the window. HDC guidelines for
windows were reviewed. Staff recommends denial of the selected window. The applicant has said
that they can not find a replacement window to match the original window. While there may not be
stock windows available, a custom window of this style would not be difficult to have made. There
are three options available to the members, 1) approve the French doors, 2) have a custom made
window done to match what had been there, or 3) approve the requested style of window.
T. Bosma and L. Spataro arrived at 4:05 p.m.
S. Kroes asked if the reason for the original denial of the French doors was to discourage people
from doing alterations without prior approval. L. Spataro stated that any changes are supposed to
keep the integrity of the historic home. Y. Rone stated that the insurance wouldn’t pay because the
driver had left the scene. The window she chose was the one that would match the majority of the
other windows on her home. The only window that the original window matched was the one on
HDC Minutes 12/05/06 1
the second floor in the front. L. Spataro stated that he didn’t see a problem with the new window
matching the majority of the windows on the home.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to replace the French door with the style of window
proposed by the applicant with the window fitting the original opening of the prior window was
made by L. Spataro, supported by L. Wood and unanimously approved.
Case 2006-40 – 504 W. Clay Avenue Request to construct garage. Applicant: Muskegon County
Museum. District: Clay Western. J. Fitzpatrick presented the staff report. The applicant was
seeking approval to construct a garage at the Depression Era house at 504 W. Clay Ave. Applicable
HDC guidelines were reviewed. Staff recommends approval. The proposed garage follows the
standards set forth in the design standards except for perhaps the Rhythm of Openings. Staff has
suggested that windows be installed on the side walls of the garage to help remedy this situation.
J. McGarry explained the reason for needing the garage. The garage would be used for storage of
gasoline equipment such as lawn mowers and snow blowers. He requested guidance from the HDC
members in regards to approval of the concept of the garage as well as being allowed to build the
garage on the property. He explained the slope of the property and how the house had shifted and
had been shifting down the slope. If the members were okay with the concept, then he would order
the plans for the garage and have an architect correct the plans so they would be brought up to
building codes. He also wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be a problem with the general design.
T. Bosma stated that he had no problem with the concept. Any designs would have to revolve
around the topography. S. Thompson asked if there had been a garage on the property before and
what the view from the Amazon would be like once the garage was built. J. McGarry stated that
there had been no garage on the property in the past. He wasn’t sure what the view would be like
from the Amazon because this property is behind Mike’s Bar.
A motion that the HDC approve the concept of a two car garage as illustrated in the submitted
drawings for the size and style with the applicant returning for final approval, was made by T.
Bosma, supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
Case 2006-41 – 102 Iona Request to install vinyl siding, install replacement windows, and replace
the front door at 102 Iona. Applicant: Ken Davis. District: McLaughlin. J. Fitzpatrick presented
the staff report. The applicant wishes to install vinyl siding, install replacement windows, and
replace the front door at 102 Iona. Applicable HDC guidelines were reviewed. Staff recommends
approval of the request to replace the front door and replacement windows as long as they match the
existing style, and install vinyl siding with the aforementioned restrictions.
L. Spataro asked if there would be contrasting styles for each floor of the home. K. Davis stated
that currently there is lap wood on the lower and the upper has red asphalt and neither is in good
condition. He would like to side the entire home with a dark grey siding with white corners. L.
Spataro asked if he had considered using a siding that looked like shingles for the second floor. K.
Davis stated that it was a possibility, but there may be an added cost. He would do it if he had to.
L. Spataro asked if he would be maintaining the current openings for the windows. K. Davis stated
that he would, but the windows would have no grills or slats in them. He would like to change the
huge window in the front to three windows, which would make that opening smaller. J. Hilt asked
if he was planning on having a wooden front door. K. Davis stated that he was. He added that the
back door was steel. L. Spataro stated that he was willing to allow windows even with the change
HDC Minutes 12/05/06 2
to the front window size. He would like to see the siding be a contrasting style for each floor. K.
Davis asked if it was possible to put a band in and use a different color on the second floor. L.
Spataro stated that he would prefer to see a contrasting style, but he is willing to have the applicant
price the different sidings and discuss it with staff. K. Davis stated that he didn’t believe it would
be much of a price difference and he’d be willing to use a contrasting style. He also stated that he
would like to close off the bathroom window. The window is right next to the toilet and looks out
to the neighbor’s house. There is already another window in the bathroom.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install vinyl siding with a contrasting style on the
upper level, install replacement windows to match the majority of existing windows with an
adjustment to the size of the front window, to close off the bathroom window at the rear corner of
the home, and replace the front door at 102 Iona was made by L. Spataro, supported by S.
Thompson and unanimously approved.
Case 2006-42 - 291 Houston Request to change porch roof pitch, install block windows in
basement, install replacement windows, close in four of the porch windows, and the replacement of
the two small upper level windows with double hung egress window. Applicant: Neighborhood
Investment Corporation. District: Houston. J. Fitzpatrick presented the staff report. The house at
291 Houston is being purchased and renovated. The applicant would like to change the porch roof
pitch, install block windows in the basement, install replacement windows, close in four of the
porch windows, and the replace the two small upper level windows with double hung egress for
safety code reasons. Applicable HDC guidelines were reviewed. Staff recommends approval of the
change in porch roof pitch, the replacement of windows as long as they match the existing
windows, installation of the block windows in the basement, and the replacement of the two small
upper level windows with double hung egress window. Staff does not recommend blocking in the
porch windows.
K. Panozzo asked which of the windows were to be blocked on the porch. J. Fitzpatrick went over
the different items showing the pictures of what is currently there and the proposed pictures of what
they would like to do. L. Spataro stated that Brass Tacks Construction had been before the HDC in
the past to put siding on the home and they proposed to construct a two foot fence along the roof of
the front porch. He added that M. Wee, who was the previous staff person to the HDC, had found a
picture of the home from around the 1920’s and the front porch was open and not enclosed. So, to
block off some of the windows will be taking the home further away from having it brought closer
to its historic characteristics. The commission members discussed some of the other proposed
items. L. Spataro stated that he would be okay with raising the front porch roof a few inches, but it
shouldn’t be raised any higher. T. Bosma was concerned with the change in the roof and is also
opposed to some of the other changes.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install block windows in the basement, install
replacement windows matching the original openings and styles – porch windows will be three over
one, other windows will be double hung, and to replace the two smaller upper level windows with
double hung egress window and to deny changing the porch roof pitch and the closing of the porch
windows at 291 Houston, was made by L. Spataro, supported by T. Bosma and was unanimously
approved.
OTHER
HDC Minutes 12/05/06 3
Proposed 2007 Meeting Dates J. Fitzpatrick provided members with a 2007 meeting schedule.
Study Committee J. Fitzpatrick stated that there would be a need for volunteers to join a study
committee for amending the Historic District structures. L. Spataro stated that since the three
buildings on the mall site had been sold, the owner would need to be contacted to see if he was
interested in adding them as well. Also, once the Central Fire Station is constructed on the Terrace
Lots, the fire department will be departing from their current location. This would be another
building that may need to be added. J. Fitzpatrick added that the fire station is also on the National
Register so the research would be easier for this building. They would also consider 297 West
Clay. The process usually takes six months, and staff usually does the research. S. Kroes asked
how often the study committee would meet. J. Fitzpatrick stated that it would be up to the Study
Committee to decide how often they should meet. More information will be provided at the January
meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
HDC Minutes 12/05/06 4
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