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 September 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chairperson Herbert Hyde Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chairperson Robert Langley Thomas Rifenberg ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Dep. Dir. of Economic Development and Planning Chairperson Cherniak called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 21, 2018 MEETING Chairperson Cherniak asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minutes from the August 21st meeting. With no questions, Member Hildreth made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Langley seconded and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS AT 95 REMSEN STREET The applicant, Luke Gladue, noted some features of the application including breaking up the current display windows into large panels as the current display windows are cracked and irreplaceable. The applicant discussed that the bottom of the display windows would be all new. He outlined that the feature near the roof of the building underneath the parapet would be painted black and that they were planning on a black and white awning on the bottom of the building above the display windows. A last feature outlined is up and down lighting between the upper floor windows. Chairperson Cherniak confirmed that they would be using the historical color palette for the painting, which the applicant confirmed and noted they were thinking either a tan or darker color. Chairperson Cherniak asked if there were any questions, which there were none. Member Hyde made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness, which Member Rifenberg seconded. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS AT 231 REMSEN STREET Mr. Vero from 231 Remsen Street noted that he was looking for approval to install a stone façade underneath the windows on the building. Chairperson Cherniak commented that the material would not be appropriate for that building. Mr. Vero stated that he could install a wainscot look, wood had been approved at the last meeting against the red brick of the building. Member Langley made a motion to approve the wood façade for 231 Remsen Street, which was seconded by Member Hyde and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS AT 88 REMSEN STREET Mr. Santos, the building owner, noted the damage that had been done to the bricks on the building as a previous owner had sandblasted at one point in time. Mr. Santos explained that he was looking to see if he could get approval for painting the building, but knew that at a minimum, the building would need to be sealed. Chairperson Cherniak asked what color he intended to paint the building, to which he answered red to match the brick and it would be a color from the color palette. There was discussion as to the level of damage done to the building, and which sections specifically of the building would be painted. There was an agreement that sealcoating the brick instead of painting it would ensure the building’s brick to last longer and would be lower maintenance overall. Mr. Santos noted that he was fine with this determination, if it was the Board’s preference. Member Hyde noted that as the building’s brick features were a unique component of the building, Mr. Santos could paint the window frames, which would make a nice impact and be visually appealing. Mr. Santos noted he was planning on painting the window frames Navajo white and grey. As there was a consensus of the Board, Member Rifenberg made a motion to approve the sealing of the building and painting of the window trim which was seconded by Member Hyde. Mr. Santos noted that he was planning on painting the back of the building as it is cinderblocks and brick and that he wanted to slim the duct to hide the wiring and other utility components at the rear of the building. He also noted that there were plans to install an awning, which Member Hildreth commented was appropriate. Mr. Santos discussed that in the future, there were plans to install a rooftop garden, which Member Hyde noted was not visible from the street and therefore not under the jurisdiction of the HPARB. Member Rifenberg made a motion to approve the painting and awning installation in the back of 88 Remsen Street, which was seconded by Member Langley and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE RECONSTRUCTION AT 150 REMSEN STREET Mr. Sanders appeared, representing the buyer of 150 Remsen Street and noted that the current building has significant damage and there are proposed plans to convert the space into a nail salon. The concept is to re-side the building with hardy board, paint it dark blue, paint the windows, and remove the awning. Mr. Sanders went on to point out the thin stone veneer proposed as the brick would not add to the character of the building. He noted that there would be gooseneck lighting installed, a sign had not been fully designed, and that the roof would be replaced in-kind. Design elements would allow for the current exhaust system to handle any smells from the downstairs nail salon and this would be independent of heating and cooling. Member Hildreth asked about the front signage, to which Mr. Sanders noted he was aware that there was a separate permit for this. Chairperson Cherniak asked what the design was for the entrance door, to which Mr. Sanders noted it would stay the same. Member Hyde noted that he thought it may match better to have wood paneling below the windows as it would be more consistent, and Chairperson Cherniak agreed. Member Langley asked about the garage door, which Mr. Sanders noted could be painted grey. Chairperson Cherniak asked Mr. Sanders to reappear at the October meeting with more details on signage, illumination, and an alternative for the materials below the façade. CONSIDERATION OF AN AWNING AT 88 REMSEN STREET Mr. Santos reappeared and noted that his wife had asked for the building to be painted and would like to break the building up a bit. Mr. Santos made a request for the Board to consider the installation of awnings on the lower portion of the building. Member Hildreth asked if it was already painted, and Chairperson Cherniak noted that an awning would be helpful and that painted trim is hard to maintain. Member Langley noted that an awning seemed better than painting. There was discussion of a conditional approval of an awning so long as it was fabric, black, and a 2-foot stationary awning. Chairperson Cherniak asked if it would cover the window to which Mr. Santos noted he was not sure how low it would go. Chairperson Cherniak noted that the lower part of the building had been dramatically altered, so however it would be positioned would be ok. Member Langley made a motion to approve the awning at 88 Remsen Street, under the conditions discussed, which Member Hildreth seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Member Hyde made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 pm. Chairperson Cherniak seconded the motion which passed unanimously.