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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
June 5, 2007
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, K. Panozzo, L. Wood
MEMBERS ABSENT: T. Bosma, excused
STAFF PRESENT: H. Mitchell, M. Franzak, D. Leafers
OTHERS PRESENT: N. Latham, Neighborhood Investment Corp; J. McPherson, 3046
Knollwood Ct; D. Pintoski, 1181 Peck St; J. McGarry, Muskegon Co.
Museum; K. Chew, 6857 Eastman Ave, Midland MI; G. Breen, for K.
Chew; K. Eden, 5621 Duck Lake Rd; R. Hilt, 1627 Jefferson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 1, 2007 was made by K. Panozzo,
supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
H. Mitchell introduced the new Planning Department staff liaison to the HDC, Mike Franzak.
NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Case 2007-10 286 Monroe – Installation of egress windows to meet building code requirements on
the second floor and to move the rear door to the left. Applicant: Chip VanderWier (Neighborhood
Investment Corp). District: Houston. Class: A. Current Function: Vacant Residential. H. Mitchell
presented the staff report. She also distributed additional photos to board members, which were
provided by the applicant. L. Spataro was concerned with having narrow windows on the first floor
and wider windows on the second. N. Latham stated that due to the extent of renovations, building
codes require the wider egress windows in all upstairs bedrooms. N. Latham also asked about
relocating the second floor bathroom window so that it was not over the bathtub. H. Mitchell stated
that she was not informed that they wanted to move the window, so it was not included in the staff
report.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to 1) move the rear door to the left, replacing the
existing window with a steel door with 36-inch nine lites, 2) side the existing area with matching
siding, 3) replace the three second floor windows as proposed, and 4) to relocate the window in the
second floor bathroom so it is not over the bathtub, with the conditions that all building codes are
met, any necessary permits are obtained, and any historic elements that are removed for installation
must be replaced, was made by L. Wood, supported by L. Spataro and unanimously approved.
HDC Minutes 06/05/07 1
Case 2007-11 585 W Clay – Tuck point blocks (where needed), replace windows, and build ADA
compliant ramp. Applicant: Jack McPherson. District: National Register. Class: AA. Current
Function: Commercial & Residential. Date of Construction: 1891. H. Mitchell presented the staff
report. The applicant provided photos showing the damage to the wood window trim. S.
Thompson asked if the front door would be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. J.
McPherson stated that it would.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to 1) tuck point, 2) replace first floor windows and
wood with matching size, 3) add an ADA-compliant ramp constructed with a combination of
concrete and treated wood with wrought iron railings, 4) fill in the current front steps, 5) change the
front steps to face 7th Street, and 6) to replace all of the second floor windows with vinyl
replacement, provided that the color of the window frames match what is on the first floor per
submitted plans, with the conditions that the applicant meet all zoning guidelines (most likely there
will be a need for a variance through the Planning Dept.), any encroachment agreements for the
ADA ramp be obtained (Engineering Dept.), all building codes are met, all necessary permits are
obtained, and if any historical elements are removed for installation they must be replaced, was
made by S. Thompson, supported by S. Kroes and unanimously approved.
Case 2007-12 1181 Peck – Installation of replacement sign. Applicant: Dennis Pintoski. District:
McLaughlin. Class: A. Current Function: Residential. H. Mitchell presented the staff report. Board
members and the applicant discussed what the proposed sign would look like. L. Spataro stated that
he would like to see a drawing of it. H. Mitchell reviewed applicable sections of the HDC
guidelines for signs. D. Pintoski stated that he would put up two new posts but use the same sign
with the white background and black letters. H. Mitchell stated that a permit would be required
then, since he would be changing the size of the sign. The applicant and board members discussed
what type of sign would be appropriate, including size, lettering, and colors.
A motion that the HDC deny the request to install a replacement sign as proposed, and to have the
applicant provide a revised drawing for a new sign with more information, was made by S.
Thompson, supported by L. Spataro and approved, with S. Kroes voting nay.
L. Spataro suggested that the applicant work with Planning Department staff to come up with
acceptable signage that would meet all code requirements.
Case 2007-13 504 W Clay – Construction of a garage. Applicant: John McGarry. District: Clay/
Western. Class: AA. Current Function: Institutional. H. Mitchell presented the staff report. S.
Thompson asked if the garage would be included as part of the house tour. J. McGarry stated that it
would not. It would be used only for storage. L. Spataro asked if there was any record of a garage
being there before. J. McGarry stated that there was not. He explained the history of that area.
There was discussion on using stone versus concrete for the foundation. J. McGarry believed that
concrete would be more in keeping with the style of the neighborhood.
A motion that the HDC approve the request to construct a new garage per submitted plans, with a
steel door with windows and the use of brick or concrete left to the discretion of the applicant, with
the conditions that the applicant meet all zoning guidelines and building codes, that all necessary
permits be obtained, and that staff may work with the applicant should there be a need to make
changes to the size and position of the garage, was made by L. Spataro, supported by L. Wood and
unanimously approved.
HDC Minutes 06/05/07 2
Case 2007-14 552 & 570 W Clay – Submittal of final building plans for Renaissance Place (new
construction). Applicant: Karl Chew. District: Clay-Western. Class: AA. Current Function:
Vacant land/Warehouse. H. Mitchell presented the staff report. G. Breen provided a drawing of the
proposed building showing the color, landscaping, and shading to indicate the staggered
construction of the front façade. K. Chew provided samples of the brick to be used. L. Spataro was
concerned with the east elevation due to the large blank wall facing 6th Street. G. Breen stated that
they could put an additional bedroom window in the units on that east wall. Board members and the
applicants discussed the layout and the look of the building. K. Chew stated that they still intended
for it to look like separate townhomes and were considering different techniques to accomplish that,
including the use of different colored brick. G. Breen stated that although it wasn’t shown on the
new drawing, they would also like to have an ornamental fence around the front and side of the
building.
A motion that the HDC approve the plans for the Renaissance Place project in concept, with further
refinements to be approved by staff, with the understanding that the applicant will continue the look
of individual townhouses, do something to reduce the large blank east façade, the doors will be
discussed with and approved by staff, and with the conditions that the applicant meet all zoning
guidelines, building codes, and that all necessary permits be obtained was made by S. Kroes,
supported by L. Spataro and unanimously approved.
Case 2007-15 1705 Peck – To approve the move of the house to a vacant City-owned lot in the
Historic Infill area at 372 W Muskegon and for repairs/changes to the home. Applicant: Kevin
Eden. District: Clinton-Peck. Class: A. Current Function: Residential. H. Mitchell presented the
staff report. K. Eden stated that he recently discovered that he must also add a parking pad at the
new location that will hold two vehicles. He planned to put it where the new garage would
eventually be built. J. Hilt asked if he was going to replace the slate on the porch. Board members
and the applicant discussed the porch and those elements that could or could not be saved. K. Eden
stated that he would like to use the slate, but it was unlikely that it could be salvaged. He planned to
use wooden shingles to match the home’s second story if he was unable to save the slate. He
described where he planned to place the house on the lot and plans for a garage to be built in the
future.
R. Hilt lived in the area and was concerned about the vacant lot that would be left when the house
was moved. He wanted to know what the Rescue Mission’s plans were for that space. L. Spataro
stated that this case was to consider the house move only, and it did not involve the Rescue
Mission’s use of the land if the home is removed. R. Hilt asked that the case be tabled in order to
consider other options besides moving the house. L. Spataro stated that the house would remain in
the Nelson Neighborhood, in a historic district, and stay as a single family home. He saw no reason
to table the case. He also went over what the Rescue Mission could and could not do with that
property, and explained that anything they wanted to do would require HDC and Planning
Commission approval.
A motion that the HDC approve the request as follows: 1) to move the home from 1705 Peck Street
to 372 W. Muskegon Ave, 2) to construct a basement at the new location as proposed, 3) to
reconstruct the front porch with wood (must be treated per building code requirements) with
concrete steps, 4) to reconstruct the brick columns using the current brick or similar if the current
bricks cannot be used, 5) the applicant will explore the possibility of reusing the slate for the porch
HDC Minutes 06/05/07 3
but wooden shingles will be allowed if that is not possible, 6) to construct the front and side
sidewalks for the home at the new location, 7) to construct the rear porch steps with wood with hand
railings, 8) to replace the plastic lattice next to the rear steps with a wooden lattice, and 9) to allow a
two-car concrete parking pad, with the conditions that all permits, building codes, and zoning codes
are followed, that the house move conforms to the Historic Infill Policy regarding house moves, and
that the City Commission approves the sale of the City-owned property, was made by L. Spataro,
supported by S. Kroes and approved, with S. Thompson and J. Hilt voting nay.
Case 2007-16 565 W. Western Ave – Installation of an outdoor lighted sign on the Western
Avenue side of the building on the second floor. Applicant: Michael A. Johnson. District: Clay-
Western. Class: AA. Current Function: Commercial. Board members agreed to hear this case even
though it had not been included on the agenda, since the applicant was present and a staff report had
been prepared. Staff recommends approval of the request, with the conditions listed in the staff
report. There may be a need for an encroachment agreement which the applicant would have to
discuss with the Engineering Department prior to installation.
A motion that the HDC approve the request for the installation of an outdoor lighted sign as
proposed, to be installed on the second floor of the W. Western Ave. side of the building, provided
all zoning and building code requirements are met, any necessary permits are obtained, any historic
elements that are removed for installation be replaced, and the applicant will work with the
Engineering Department if any encroachment agreements are needed prior to the installation of the
sign, was made by L. Spataro, supported by L. Wood and unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER
Boilerworks LLC, Hooker DeJong Architects & Engineers, and the Muskegon Construction
Company received an award from Governor Granholm for the 2007 Governor’s Awards for Historic
Preservation for the rehabilitation of the Muskegon Boilerworks property.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
dl
HDC Minutes 06/05/07 4
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