Historic Preservation & Architectural Review Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD HELD IN CITY HALL ON June 19, 2018 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chairperson Robert Langley Thomas Rifenberg ABSENT: Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chairperson Herbert Hyde ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Dep. Dir. of Economic Development and Planning Chairperson Cherniak called the meeting to order at 6:26 p.m. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE MAY 15, 2018 MEETING Chairperson Cherniak asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minutes from the May 15, 2018 meeting. With no questions, Member Rifenberg made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Langley seconded and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE ADJUSTMENTS AT 12 WHITE STREET R. Reynolds noted that the Board had some back and forth via email about adjustments to the design of 12 White Street in terms of the colors and materials proposed to be used and stated that while the building plans have not changed again, the Board should formally vote on this matter at their meeting. Chairperson Cherniak saw no reason not to vote on the matter and made a motion to formally approve the adjustments to the design of 12 White Street in terms of colors and materials that had been previously reviewed. Member Langley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF A NEW ROOF AT 123 Mohawk Street Mr. Scott Spendiff presented on updates to the roof at the United Church of Cohoes at 123 Mohawk Street and noted that the shingles had been reviewed at last month’s meeting but there was not a quorum. Mr. Spendiff brought samples of the material that the United Church of Cohoes proposes using, an asphalt shingle called Slate Line, which mimics the look and feel of slate shingles. Members of the Board reviewed the material with Mr. Spendiff and Mr. Spendiff showed Members on his phone the exact coloration of the proposed shingles as the samples that were brought were not exactly what’s intended to be used. Member Langley made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness with the colors shown by Mr. Spendiff and the materials presented. Chairperson Cherniak seconded the motion which passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF A PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL AND FENCE AT 63 CANVASS STREET Mr. John Fondry who resides at 63 Canvass Street made a brief presentation about the proposed dimensions and style of the pool and fence that he intends on installing and brought in pictures of the proposed fence – which showed a white fence and a beige fence under consideration. Mr. Fondry noted that he lives at the property with his wife and his children and that the building used to be a bar. He stated that he has continually been making improvements to the property and would like to install a private swimming pool with a fence around the property that would be 6 feet tall. Mr. Fondry’s neighbor, Paul Bonaquisti, is aware of the proposal and noted to Mr. Fondry that he is fine with the idea of Mr. Fondry installing the fence. Chairperson Cherniak noted that the Board is more concerned with the style of the fence as opposed to the height of the fence and asked about the color. Member Langley noted that he thought a white fence might be too stark of a contrast. Mr. Fondry noted that he is ok with either white or beige as the fence color, whichever the Board preferred. Chairperson Cherniak noted that white fencing is not obtrusive, and that solid colors have a simplicity and blending effect. Member Langley noted that this seemed reasonable. Member Rifenberg asked the applicant what the color of the house was and Member Langley asked the applicant if he is leaning towards either color. Mr. Fondry confirmed that the house is beige and he is ok with either color but that the white fencing would be less expensive. Chairperson Cherniak noted that white fencing is very traditional and Member Langley discussed the aesthetic characteristics of a white picket fence. Chairperson Cherniak made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness and noted that the applicant could install either the white or beige fence options. Member Langley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF SIDING REPLACEMENT AT 2 WHITE STREET The applicant, Lee Waddell noted that he would like to install vinyl siding at his property at 2 White Street which matches the style of the siding which was approved for the backside of the building 5 years ago. Chairperson Cherniak asked the applicant if anything had changed since he last submitted an application on the same matter years ago. The applicant noted that the painting has deteriorated and that he has not been able to find appropriate clapboard replacement material but that the current clapboard is falling off and in serious disrepair. Chairperson Cherniak noted that they could look at different options available to the applicant for his consideration. The applicant stated that he has not been able to find anything either online or in stores. Member Langley noted that the building does look like it’s in disrepair. Chairperson Cherniak stated that it is possibly the oldest house within the Historic District and one of the only homes that still has wood siding. Member Langley discussed differences between the back and front of the house, and it was pointed out that the back of the house was an addition. Chairperson Cherniak asked about the siding, application, and how it might affect the insulation and the reset of the windows. The applicant noted that he is not looking into insulation and would like it to be clean and not have to paint it, he stated that he cannot find any solid replacement materials and that he’s open to suggestions. Member Cherniak recommended that they table this matter until next month’s meeting at which time the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board could present some options after doing some research on replacement materials. CONSIDERATION OF SIDING REPLACEMENT AT 139 MOHAWK The applicant was not present for the meeting. Member Langley pointed out that per the application, siding may be an issue and may be visible from the street. Chairperson Cherniak asked if it was adjacent to a vacant building, and Member Langley asked if the siding was going to match the front, if front siding was needed, and if insulation is the issue if the applicant could just insulate the side as opposed to residing. Chairperson Cherniak recommended tabling the matter as the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board had significant questions that could not be answered by the applicant. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Chairperson Cherniak made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:49 pm. Member Langley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.