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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
February 6, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Chairperson J. Hilt.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hilt, S. Kroes, S. Thompson, L. Wood, K. Panozzo, L. Spataro
MEMBERS ABSENT: T. Bosma, excused
STAFF PRESENT: H. Mitchell, L. Anguilm, D. Leafers
OTHERS PRESENT: E. Pizunski, 609 W. Western Ave.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 5, 2006 was made by S. Kroes,
supported by S. Thompson and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Case 2007-1 609 W Western Ave – Request to add a second story addition and outdoor service.
Applicant: Ed Pizunski. District: Clay-Western. Class: AA. Current Function: Commercial. H.
Mitchell presented the staff report. The applicant has requested to add a second story addition and
outdoor service area. Although the second floor seating had already been approved at a previous
meeting, the applicant would now like to build an actual 2nd story instead of just a rooftop seating
area. The second story façade will be built 14 feet back from the front of the building. Based on
the submitted drawing of the north elevation, it appears it will be 13 feet 8 inches high. The roof
will be green metal sloping to the rear of the property. The façade and siding on the second story
will match what is on the first floor, and there will be glass French doors on the front. The accent
trim will be brown. There will be outdoor seating in the front of the second story with the 42-inch
railing along the front and sides as was approved at the June 2006 meeting. HDC guidelines were
reviewed, as were the minutes from the meeting at which the original request was approved. Staff
recommends approval of the request, provided the addition is in keeping with the design, materials,
and color of the first floor. Since the time of the original staff report, the applicant received a 3-year
variance from the State regarding ADA compliance for the upper floor, so #3 of the HDC Standards
for Alterations/Additions as listed in the staff report would not apply at this time. H. Mitchell stated
that she contacted Robert McKay from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) who stated
that new construction should differentiate from, but still be compatible with, existing and
surrounding structures, so vinyl siding would not be compatible in this area. Also, because this was
an AA district, past practice has been not to allow vinyl siding.
L. Spataro arrived at 4:06 p.m.
HDC Minutes 02/06/07 1
K. Panozzo asked how the second floor would be accessed. E. Pizunski stated that the stairway to
the upper floor was already built, but right now it ended at the ceiling. He stated that his building
permit had been denied originally due to ADA laws, but he applied to the State and received a 3-
year variance. E. Pizunski presented a conceptual drawing of the new addition to the board
members. He stated that the windows would be squared off, not rounded as shown in the drawing.
Also, the roof would be shingled, not metal as originally planned. The Liquor Control Commission
had approved the outdoor tiki bar. He stated that he was willing to change the vinyl siding, but that
he would have to use cement board for the fire rating. L. Spataro stated that the building was not a
significant historical resource to begin with, and he didn’t think that adding a second story would
diminish the historical significance of this block. He asked if the addition needed to be of a
contrasting style and color. H. Mitchell stated that it did. L. Spataro didn’t think that the gables
would be appropriate for that style building. E. Pizunski stated that he would remove the gables. L.
Spataro asked what the elevation facing the alley would look like. E. Pizunski stated that it would
be a fire rated wall with no windows. S. Kroes agreed with allowing the use of different materials
so that the applicant would be able to keep a uniform color scheme. This would give a homogenous
look to the building while still differentiating between the new and existing parts of the building, as
required. L. Spataro asked the applicant how he felt about the dormers. E. Pizunski stated that he
would remove those and go with the squared windows. S. Thompson asked what kind of exterior
lighting would be used. E. Pizunski stated that there would be lights around the railing as well as
other areas. It needed to be well-lit for safety reasons. L. Spataro advised the applicant to discuss
lighting options with the Zoning Administrator to insure they are in line with the zoning ordinance.
A motion that that the HDC approve the request to add a second story addition and outdoor service
as proposed by the applicant, with the conditions that 1) the front façade be brick with shaker
shingles and french doors, 2) the sides be wood lap siding, 3) there be no dormers on the front, and
4) black or green shingles are allowed for the roof, was made by L. Spataro, supported by S. Kroes
and unanimously approved.
OTHER
Study Committee – A separate packet is included which describes what a study committee does and
how to go about creating the local historic districts. It was decided to hold off on any further work
on this until a new HDC staff liaison is in place.
New Historic Districts There was some discussion regarding several buildings for which historic
district designation may be desirable, including 297 W. Clay and the Central Fire Department
building.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:41 p.m.
dml
2/6/07
HDC Minutes 02/06/07 2
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