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 May 7, 2019 at 6:30 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chairperson Thomas Rifenberg Herbert Hyde ABSENT: Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chairperson Robert Langley ALSO PRESENT: Robyn King, Dep. Dir. of Economic Development and Planning Chairperson Cherniak called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 16 MEETING Chairperson Cherniak asked if anyone had any questions about the meeting minutes from the April 16, 2019 meeting. With no questions, Member Hyde made a motion to approve the minutes, which Member Rifenberg seconded and the motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS AT 188 REMSEN STREET The applicant, Mr. Manuel Santos of 188 Remsen made a presentation noting that he understood at the last presentation that the Historic Board advocated for sealing the brick, but that the brick is severely damaged from sandblasting and at this point it really needs to be sealed and painted. Mr. Santos noted that large portions of the front of the building are covered with crown molding. Member Hyde asked if the majority of the front of the building are windows and casing, which Mr. Santos noted it was. Mr. Santos pointed out the green efface around the front first-story window and noted he would like to remove this. Chairperson Cherniak noted this was a result of an unfortunate renovation. Mr. Santos explained that parts of the brick at the bottom portion of the building were repaired last summer, but that the efface didn’t belong and he would like to remove this feature, and remove parts of the molding around the large window that were rotting and replace it and paint it. Chairperson Cherniak commented that while the Historic Board predominantly does not like to see brick painted, in this case, it made sense. Mr. Santos pointed out parts of the brick that had been badly damaged and pointed to a similar building in Troy with the style that he was aiming for. Mr. Santos noted that he would be using colors from the Benjamin Moore Historic Color Palette, which would be gray for the building and a white for the window casings and molding. Chairperson Cherniak asked if all of the trim would be white, and Mr. Santos noted that that was what was planned. Chairperson Cherniak noted that she thought it was a big expanse of white for one building. Mr. Santos noted that he thought the white added an element of class, which Member Hyde agreed with. Mr. Santos noted it all depended on the execution of the project. Member Hyde pointed out a feature at the top of the building, which Mr. Santos noted was galvanized metal that had been arranged like a lattice and in some sections small little circles. Member Hyde asked if these circles could have an accent color to break up the white. Mr. Santos said he could ask the designer to see if this was possible and was amenable to this idea. Member Hyde noted that by breaking up the white with accent colors in the circles, it created a different concept which would be well-balanced. Chairperson Cherniak asked if the proposal on the first floor was to remove the whole efface feature and replace with an arch, which Mr. Santos confirmed. Chairperson Cherniak confirmed that Mr. Santos would be leaving the door on the building as-is. Mr. Santos noted he appreciated the openness to painting and he understood that the paint has a 7-10 year lifespan and would maintain as needed in the future. Member Hyde noted he thought overall this was a great design. There being no further questions, Member Hyde made a motion to approve the façade improvements proposed by Mr. Santos with the condition that the circular features would be painted with an accent color. Member Rifenberg seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Chairperson Cherniak made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 pm. Member Hyde seconded the motion which passed unanimously.