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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
March 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, L. Spataro, T. Bosma
MEMBERS ABSENT: K. Panozzo, excused.
STAFF PRESENT: H. Mitchell, L. Anguilm, H. Wilcox
OTHERS PRESENT: R. Stukkie, Renewal by Andersen; R. Stover, 123 W Larch; K. Davis,
11352 Wilson; M. Schrier, Muskegon Insurance, C. McGuigan,
Community Foundation, Sherry Belaskovitz, 2125 Oak.
STAFF DISCUSSION – H. Mitchell informed the commission members that there were no written rules
regarding whether members may speak to applicants or developers prior to the meeting in regards to
their requests or projects. It is an unwritten rule and normally is not done. The commission members
may direct anyone asking for a one on one meeting to talk to the staff person and they may be added as a
discussion item to the agenda without a formal application. Many people do not know this is an option
to them.
L. Spataro arrived at 4:03 p.m.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS – The current officers are Chairperson J. Hilt and Vice Chair T. Bosma.
A motion to retain the current officers was made by L. Spataro, supported by S. Thompson and
unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 6, 2007 was made by L. Wood, supported
by L. Spataro and unanimously approved with the correction that “S. Thompson (not K. Panozzo) asked
what kind of exterior lighting would be used.”
S. Kroes arrived at 4:06 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Case 2007-2 – 477 W. Western – Installation of new windows and awnings. Applicant: R. Stukkie
(Renewal by Andersen) & Phyllis Slater. District: Clay/Western Class: AA Current Function:
Commercial. H. Mitchell presented the staff report. The applicant is proposing to install new windows
on the second floor. The windows will not alter the window openings. The proposed windows will
match in design and materials with what had been installed on the side of the building. The color of the
trim is proposed to be what is already there (green). There is also a proposal to install new windows on
the first floor. There will be changes to this area. The upper windows currently have a glazed look and
HDC Minutes 03/06/07 1
the proposal is to have clear windows installed. The lower window will still be clear, but will be
replaced. In order to accomplish replacing the windows, the muntins will need to be enlarged. They are
proposed to look just like the adjacent Mercantile muntins. This will provide better support to the
windows. Pictures were provided. The applicant also proposes to install new awnings above the three
windows on the second floor and one large awning on the first floor. The HDC guidelines suggest that
awnings are signs, but there will not be any writing on any of the awnings. The awning on the second
floor will be 3’ x 3’ x 4’ and the first floor one will have a 6 ft. drop with a 7 ft. projection and be 19.9
ft. wide. The awnings will not be collapsible. They will be made with a welded frame and acrylic
canvas. The canvas will be stapled on tightly and will be permanent. A color picture of the proposed
awnings was provided to the commission members. Staff would recommend approval since this
structure has no individual significance other than contributing to the façade of Western Avenue,
provided that any historic features are not removed or destroyed.
L. Spataro stated that the awnings were fairly new for both store fronts. Neither of the awnings is
original to the building. He added that he knows that the windows have been replaced more than once
due to cracking. J. Hilt asked if there were other historic buildings with nonretractable awnings. L.
Spataro stated that Waterstone Insurance has awnings, but they are on a lot smaller scale. The goal of
doing alterations to the exterior of the building is to bring it closer to historic significance and not to
move it away from it. S. Thompson had some concerns with one building having two different looks.
S. Kroes wondered if the need for the nonretractable awning was due to the sun. L. Spataro was
concerned with replacing the awning with a different style of awning. S. Kroes asked if there was a
historic significance of having retractable or nonretractable awnings. T. Bosma stated that he did not
know of any. L. Wood stated that the proposed awnings looked nice. S. Kroes stated that she would
like more information regarding from the applicant regarding the awnings. J. Hilt stated that the
proposed awnings would look out of place.
A motion that the HDC table the request to install awnings above the three second story windows and
one large awning above the first floor window until further information can be obtained, was made by S.
Kroes, supported by L. Spataro and unanimously approved.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install second floor windows to match what is on the side
of the building and to install new windows on the first floor increasing the size of the muntin for
stability as proposed by the applicant, with the conditions that all building code requirements are met
and that no historical features will be removed was made by T. Bosma, supported by S. Thompson and
unanimously approved.
Case 2007-3 – 123 W. Larch – Installation of vinyl replacement windows. Applicant: Robert C. Stover
District: Jefferson Class: AA Current Function: Residential. H. Mitchell presented the staff report.
The applicant is proposing to install vinyl replacement windows on the home. Due to the bitter cold we
have had recently, the applicant has noticed that his windows need to be replaced. There will be one
window in the downstairs bath that will consist of obscure glass. There will be six double hung
windows. There will be nine two-lite sliders. Each window will be with colonial grids to look like the
original windows. The applicant states that the vinyl windows will look like the windows that are
currently there from the sidewalk.
J. Hilt asked if there was any way to repair the windows. R. Stover stated that there was not. He
showed the commission members pictures of the insides of the windows. The crank in the picture
showed ice and that the steel framing had also rusted. He would like to get rid of these casement
windows because they are unsafe in the event of a fire, he and his wife would not be able to get out.
There are no overhangs above the windows so the ice was able to build up easily. On the inside, the
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wood will need to be replaced too. L. Spataro stated that normally vinyl would not be allowed in an AA
district, but because the current windows are steel, vinyl would be a reasonable alternative. The
applicant will also be retaining the current window openings and the number of lites. S. Kroes asked if
the new windows would be visually identical. R. Stover showed the members a brochure showing the
windows he would be getting.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to install vinyl replacement windows as proposed by the
applicant, with the conditions that all building code requirements are met, the openings will not be
changed, and that no historical features will be removed, was made by S. Thompson, supported by L.
Wood and unanimously approved.
Case 2007-4 – 136 E. Isabella – Remove front porch entrance room. Applicant: Ken Davis District:
McLaughlin Class: A Current Function: Residential. H. Mitchell presented the staff report. The
applicant has requested to remove the front porch entrance room. The guidelines do not address the
removal of this type of structure, just if it was a fully enclosed front deck. The Code Coordinator has
also asked that staff inform the applicant that if he needs to replace the porch and steps themselves, there
may be a problem in regards to zoning. Staff would recommend approval of the request as the structure
does not contribute to the architectural continuity of the street.
K. Davis stated that he would be retaining the roof of the enclosure and would like to use decorative
poles to support it. He added that when he viewed the home there had been a lot of snow and he did not
realize that the porch was in need of replacement as well. He asked if it would be possible to build a
wooden porch over the concrete that is there. L. Wood asked if the footings were the problem for the
porch. K. Davis stated that it could be, but he was not sure. L. Spataro stated that the applicant should
speak with building inspections in regards to the porch itself because any work would need to be done to
building code requirements. T. Bosma stated that the reconstruction of the porch area should be brought
back to the HDC for approval. L. Spataro stated that he had no problem with the removal of the
entrance room, but the porch would need to wait until more information is obtained.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to remove the front porch entrance room, leaving the roof
and installing decorative posts as proposed by the applicant with the conditions that proper permits are
pulled and that this area of the home be repaired to make it look as though the enclosure was never
there, was made by L. Spataro, supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
Case 2007-5 – 425 W. Western – Addition of a relief sculpture. Applicant: Muskegon Insurance &
Frauenthal District: Downtown Structures Class: A Current Function: Theater. H. Mitchell presented
the staff report. The applicant would like to place the addition of a relief sculpture along the arch above
the main doors of the Frauenthal. The material is stainless steel with a design of musical bars. The
display was brought to the meeting. There are no zoning issues with this proposed display as there is no
writing on it and would not be considered a sign. Staff would recommend approval.
M. Schrier stated the in celebrating their 100th anniversary of being located downtown, Muskegon
Insurance would be donating this art piece in celebration. J. Hilt asked if it would cover the entire area
from top to bottom. M. Schrier stated that the stucco area would be painted a dark red and the sculpture
would not cover the entire area. S. Belaskovitz explained the design.
A motion that the HDC approve the request for the addition of the relief sculpture along the arch above
the main doors of the Frauenthal, was made by T. Bosma, supported by L. Spataro and unanimously
approved.
HDC Minutes 03/06/07 3
OTHER
FYI – Muskegon Hotel Temporary Sign.
In speaking with Jackie (Chair) staff was allowed to approve the temporary sign that was going to be
placed on the Muskegon Hotel. There was a condition placed on the sign permit that if there are any
complaints, this will need to be brought to the commission for approval. The sign is 5 ft x 38 ft Vinyl,
framed, and is in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. There is no language in the Historic District
Ordinance in regards to temporary signage. A picture of the sign was provided to the commission
members. T. Bosma asked how long it could be up and still be considered temporary. L. Spataro stated
that the zoning ordinance in regards to signs had been rewritten to include temporary signs. L. Anguilm
stated that she did not know of any time frame that temporary signs could remain, but if they did start to
deteriorate, they would need to be removed or replaced. H. Mitchell added that if the commission
members feel that the temporary sign is up for too long, the commission could have the owner come
before them for approval to keep if up.
Update – 487 W. Clay – Victor Sieradski had gone to the courts and was working on a time table for
repairs. He is supposed to be bringing something to the HDC in April. L. Spataro asked if he had the
interior inspection done yet because that was supposed to be part of the agreement. H. Mitchell stated
that she did not know if it were completed or not.
Update – 609 W Western – Tipsy Toad may be having the enclosed bar with open seating for now. The
building inspector had found out that the variance for the ADA compliance had been granted for the
original request that had been before the HDC. Once he can complete the ADA compliance he may
then convert it into the second story that went before the commission last month. Due to the fact that
the COA’s do not expire, staff wanted to inform the commission members of what they may end up
seeing be built.
1704 Peck – L. Spataro informed the members that there may be a house move in the future going
before them. The Rescue Mission on Peck owns the home at 1704 Peck and it is currently being used as
a rental property. They are looking to sell the home and have it moved. They would like it to be moved
to a City lot on Muskegon Avenue where it would be owner occupied. The commission members
discussed what could be done with the property once the home is moved. L. Spataro stated that because
the Rescue Mission is currently a non conforming use, the zoning ordinance states that it can only
expand a certain percentage, so the lot would not be enough to do a large expansion.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m.
hmm
3/6/07
HDC Minutes 03/06/07 4
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