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 January 15, 2019 at 6:30 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chairperson Thomas Rifenberg Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chairperson Robert Langley ABSENT: Herbert Hyde ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Dep. Dir. of Economic Development and Planning Chairperson Cherniak called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 20, 2018 MEETING Chairperson Cherniak asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minutes from the November 20, 2018 meeting. With no questions, Member Hildreth made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Langley seconded and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN AT 103 REMSEN STREET Ms. Karen Miscavage noted that she would like to install a hanging sign above the entry way at the building located at 103 Remsen Street where she has a psychology practice. Ms. Miscavage noted that she is one medical provider, but there are others associated with her practice and she would like to have a general logo on the main face of the sign, with small nameplates that would be hung below. Member Hildreth asked about the location of the building, and Ms. Miscavage noted that it’s the same building as the Flea Market. R. Reynolds clarified that this was a different application than one already processed for the flea market. Ms. Miscavage noted that this psychology practice sign would be hung above the other side door that people use for the practice and the brackets would be installed into the façade and would hang roughly 15 feet above grade. Ms. Miscavage pointed out that there would be a black chain hanging the tiles of each provider’s name and the idea was plain gold and black lettering for each additional provider. Chairperson Cherniak asked if it would be a support or bracket. Ms. Miscavage noted it would be a wrought iron bracket, and they hoped to light the sign with external lighting at some point. Ms. Miscavage noted that if there were any significant changes to the sign design or lighting, she would re-approach the Board for approval. With there being no further questions, Member Hildreth made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the sign design as described by Ms. Miscavage. Member Rifenberg seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN AT 220 REMSEN STREET Don Russell presented the graphic provided to the Board for the design of a sign to support his new restaurant Anthony’s at 220 Remsen Street. Member Langley asked how high the sign would be, and Mr. Russell noted it would be roughly 9 feet long and 20”-22” wide, which would need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals and would be considered at the January meeting. Mr. Russell also noted that there would be white lights around the outside of the sign, similar to the design of the Music Hall sign. Member Langley asked if the lights would be around the outside of the sign or in front, and Mr. Russell pointed out that it would be continuously around the outside trim of the sign. Member Langley asked if they would be soft incandescent lights, to which Mr. Russell noted they would be Edison Bulb LEDs with yellow tone and not on during daylight hours. Chairperson Cherniak asked if there was any additional exterior work being done on the building, and Mr. Russell noted that they had already painted using colors from the historic palette, but no other work was being done at this time. Member Langley asked if the lettering would be flat or raised, and Mr. Russell noted he was not sure, and Member Langley noted that raised lettering was preferable. Mr. Russell noted that although the sign was larger than a typical sign for the City-scape, this was a larger building that could handle this type of sign. Member Hildreth asked if the building was ADA accessible, and Mr. Russell confirmed that it was and has a ramp on the side of the building. Member Hildreth asked if it would be a bar and restaurant, and Mr. Russell noted that he believed it would be and that there would be seating for roughly 70 persons and there would be outdoor seating available. Chairperson Cherniak asked if there would be any signage in the lintel space. Mr. Russell noted that this had been painted, but that the signage wouldn’t be installed in that part of the building and it would be maintained. Member Hildreth noted the repainting made the building very attractive. Member Hildreth asked when the new business would be opening, and Mr. Russell noted their goal was to open by April of this year and that he was happy to have saved the building from demolition, which is what was planned after the fire. With there being no further questions, Member Langley made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the sign with flat or raised letters, which was seconded by Member Hildreth and passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT R. Reynolds gave Board members a brief update on City projects including Canal Square Park and the Cohoes Music Hall. With no further business, Member Hildreth made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 pm. Member Hildreth seconded the motion which passed unanimously.