Historic Preservation & Architectural Review Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD HELD VIRTUALLY VIA THE ZOOM APPLICATION ON MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chairperson Herb Hyde Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chairperson Thomas Rifenberg MEMBERS ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Joseph Seman-Graves, City Planner Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant Economic Development and Planning Chairperson Cherniak called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE February 18, 2020 MEETING Chairperson Cherniak asked for the Board to review and comment on the February 18, 2020 meeting minutes. There being no questions, Chairperson Cherniak made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, which Ms. Barbara Hildreth seconded and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Herb Hyde X Barbara Hildreth X Thomas Rifenberg X Robert Langley Absent CONSIDERATION OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT AT 50 REMSEN STREET: Chairperson Cherniak: Next item is a consideration of exterior work on 50 Remsen Street, is the applicant for 50 Remsen present? Joseph Seman-Graves: The applicant is not present, nor have they responded to our emails about this meeting. I recommend we postpone this review until the applicant can explain the scope of work and materials to be used to the board. Chairperson Cherniak: I make a motion to table this application. Herb Hyde seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Herb Hyde X Barbara Hildreth X Thomas Rifenberg X Robert Langley Absent CONSIDERATION OF SIGNS AND WINDOW REPLACEMENT AT 22-40 REMSEN STREET: Chairperson Cherniak: Is the applicant for 22-40 Remsen present? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: Yes Chairperson Cherniak: We are considering the signage we had some discussion of that little bit at the workshop, but I understand there are also applications for windows and doors? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: Yes. Ee are looking to redo the front entrance, currently there's a glass door. Basically, what we want to do is just push that glass door front closer to the front of the entrance. Herb Hyde: So, you're keeping the same door just moving it or are you changing the door configuration? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: We would need to change the physical door, but it would be the same configurations of what it is now, so it would look identical to the one there. Chairperson Cherniak: Okay. Also, with you with regard to windows, are there window replacements planned as well? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: Yes. Those are the windows that look into the pool area there right on the front of the building right now. They're currently just stained up from the moisture that leaked inside - so we're just looking to replace the glass, nothing else. Chairperson Cherniak: Okay. With regard to the doors, do you have a link to a website or some photographs or something so we could actually see what the doors would look like? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: I don't have any pictures unfortunately, and we haven't decided on what we were going with yet. We were trying to figure out if there were any specifications that we needed to know in between the doors if there were certain required distances. Joseph Seman-Graves: That would be something that you would have to talk to code about. Chairperson Cherniak: We need to know what that's going to look like for this board to make a determination. Joseph Seman-Graves: I recommend just reviewing what's on the application as it is right now, but I can leave that to Daniele to decide. Chairperson Cherniak: Okay. We'll just look at the sign right now. We also had repaving the parking lot on that application. We discussed that at the last meeting. So is it just a repaving? You're not putting in any kind of barriers or anything like that. Correct? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: We will be replacing the existing wooden bollards with a similar wood bollard that will be painted. Chairperson Cherniak: So, are there any other questions from the members of the board regarding these items? Herb Hyde: Question about the material used for the sign. You're going to have raised letters coming off of the sign- what is the sign actually made of? Ms. Ashley Tremblay: It will just be the metal pieces kind of like what's up there now with the former Community Center. Chairperson Cherniak: I make a motion that we accept the application and will wait to approve further aspects of the project pending additional information. Barbara Hildreth seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Herb Hyde X Barbara Hildreth X Thomas Rifenberg X Robert Langley Absent CONSIDERATION OF SIGN REPLACEMENT AT 241 REMSEN STREET: Chairperson Cherniak: So, our next item on the agenda is consideration of a sign at 241 Remsen. This would be the Spindles sign. Is the applicant present? Mr. Don Russell: Yes. Chairperson Cherniak: It looks fine as far as the design and everything else but is the sign put up already? Mr. Don Russell: Yes. Chairperson Cherniak: Now the only thing I might say is that you should come before the board before we put these things up to get our approval of any kind of change like that. Mr. Don Russell: Ultimately, it was a change from in the shape of the original sign which was damaged in a windstorm. Herb Hyde: I understand that, but we should have been notified as a city Board. Chairperson Cherniak: Do I have a motion to approve the new sign? Barbara Hildreth: Motion to approve. Herb Hyde seconded the motion and it passed unanimously YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Herb Hyde X Barbara Hildreth X Thomas Rifenberg X Robert Langley Absent CONSIDERATION OF A NEW SIGN AT 100 NORTH MOHAWK STREET: Chairperson Cherniak: Next item is signs at 100 North Mohawk, the signs of the Lofts at the Harmony Mills. So, is there anybody speak about the applications? Ms. Emma Van Vorst: Yes, this is Emma with AJ Sign Company on behalf of Harmony Mills. We're just proposing a wall sign for the leasing office and a directional sign for one of the entrances into the property. Chairperson Cherniak: Were the sizes of the signs taken into consideration with zoning code? Ms. Emma Van Vorst: They were okay I believe we were within code for both signs and we're also looking to put an hours of operation sign right on the side of the door that basically replaces the one small sign that's already there. It's going to be smaller than the existing sign. The building is very large and the problem that we really had making the decision to make it bigger is that it sits behind another building, so we really prioritized the visibility so people can find the leasing office more easily. Herb Hyde: One thing we were wondering about is just the start of the fact that the compatibility the complementarity of the signs with the existing signs on the buildings because it seems very different looking. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: The owners are rebranding, they're trying to go towards a simpler looking logo that might look the same but color-wise they're trying just to make everything a little bit more modern. So really we just wanted the black and white for simplicity reasons, and that way it really can go with any color scheme that they choose in the future. Herb Hyde: Are they planning to change the other signs in the future? They have not discussed that with us. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: My response to that right now is potentially. I don't know exactly what they're planning on doing and how quickly they're planning on doing that. Herb Hyde: Well, my concern is this is a very old building. Why don't you enhance the signage, to complement the building, rather than using something with a more modern look? Ms. Emma Van Vorst: I think my client is just looking to make it so their logo fits with their brand and inside the building is modern and nice and clean and simple. So they really were trying to bring that to life in their new signage and not continue with something that's a little bit more outdated. I don't think with the black and white anything is flashy on this sign, it's just black and white has the logo and the letters big enough for people to read. Herb Hyde: I understand that I'm looking at this design here the color of this design. This has other colors in it like red and green which would kind of fit in with the building - conformity with the bricks and everything else. It would look more traditional more historical if we use a color scheme like that as opposed to black and white if you can see this color here, but If you look at your copy, it does not appear black and white. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: I'm sorry. I'm just trying to see I don't know if you're holding. Are you holding up a piece of paper? Herb Hyde: Yes. I don't know whether it's to the printer and it just doesn't look black and white. It was supposed to be black and white, but it does have sort of a reddish cast along the edges of it. It actually looks more attractive than black and white and get the lettering still stands out. It goes with the historic buildings and there are certain colors that are associated with the buildings and the signs should compliment that. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: I'll have to discuss it a little bit further with our client. Herb Hyde: I know that they're going for branding, so that's really the shape of the sign. But the coloration is important because you still get the same benefit of the modern look but would the historical colored background. I think if that's what should occur with this signage, as well as the directional sign. That could be more in keeping with the signage that is there, and it would still stand out. Those are just my thoughts on this. Would it be worth talking to your client and having a little bit more discussion and then coming back to us? Ms. Emma Van Vorst: I can certainly do that. I don't know if they're going to have a difficult time with the fact that maybe they're being told what colors they need to use. I understand that's of course a part of the historic board, making sure that everything coincides with the rules and regulations in the look of the city, but I’m just not sure what their feedback will be with altering the colors of their branding because it is it is a larger company that's nationwide. So I don't know how easy it is for them just to switch up the color and have that be approved corporately if these changes are made on across the country and I think that could be worked out. Herb Hyde: I don't think it fits in with the historic nature of that building. That's the purpose of us being on this job. As a nationwide company we hope you have some sort of plan for instances like this. We're not the only historical board in the country. I would hope that your clients are willing to compromise on certain issues like this. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: So, when I do discuss it further with my client, what's the goal ? Are we okay with the size of the sign and then what is the goal for the look and the feel? Do we want a maroon background with white letters or something different? Chairperson Cherniak: I think that the board thinks the configuration of the sign is fine and as long as the sizes fit within the city's code requirements we are fine with that, but the issue is the color and I think the board would feel more comfortable with something that was maybe more towards the maroon or a deep reddish color that would complement the brick more than the black I think that's the sentiment I’m getting from the board. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: Is there something we can do to prevent having to wait that extended period of time just over something having to do with a color? Chairperson Cherniak: I think the board could certainly schedule special meeting, as we’ve done the past. Ms. Emma Van Vorst: Perfect. So what I can do is I can reach out to the client to try to finalize a deeper maroon color and then I'll approach the board and see what we can do to streamline the process and just getting that color approved and not having to wait till the next meeting if that sounds okay. Joseph Seman-Graves: Okay, if you are able to send over the designs as soon as you talk with your client and are able to work something out, I can get another meeting scheduled. CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN REPLACEMENT AT 55 MOHAWK STREET Chairperson Cherniak: Okay, the next item is consideration of signage at 55 Mohawk, the medical complex – is the applicant present? Ms. Kristen MacLeod: Hi, I'm here for 55 Mohawk. Also with AJ sign company. Chairperson Cherniak: Do you want to explain a little bit about what you're planning to do? Ms. Kristen MacLeod: Sure. So, as you know 55 Mohawk was recently fully renovated. What the ownership is looking to do is to provide a directory sign with enough square footage in space on it to list individual tenants or credentials, and as you mentioned this is a medical facility – there are a good number of doctors that will have offices there so you want to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to be visible. The proposed sign will illuminate the letters at night. You won't have glare. The design considerations for this sign, since the building was fully renovated recently, is to mimic the window mullions. One of the things they did is they restored all framework above the main entrance, so the pillars that you see on the sign design will match that creamy color which is why it's not specifically called on a drawing, because we need to get over there to actually pull the color from the building. We will do that once we are allowed to – you know COVID is preventing us at the moment. They've gotten a lot of feedback from potential tenants that there's just not enough street visibility so that consumers and patients can find them. So, this is where this design of this sign came into play. Barbara Hildreth: This will go in the place of the existing sign then? Ms. Kristen MacLeod: Yes. Herb Hyde: Okay, you had the exterior sign drawing and it has one of the colors as black the other is to be determined, is that been made of other color that's going to be to mimic the cream color of the building. Ms. Kristen MacLeod: Yes, we're just not allowed on the property right now. Herb Hyde: As far as the illumination, is that internal? Ms. Kristen MacLeod: Yes, it'll be internally illuminated by LED. So, it will have a nice soft illumination. No glaring or opposing opposition to traffic and what this will do is so at night where you see 55 Mohawk Professional Center. At night primarily the concern is evening hours, you know many medical practices are open till 6:00 or 7:00 o'clock at night and as we know it gets dark out at 4:30 in December. The letters will be white, and they'll be illuminated but the backgrounds will not, so you won't have these big glaring distractions. Herb Hyde: Great design of the sun with the curvature of the top matches the curvature of the original awnings and the replacement awnings and again just accents or to mimic the design of the building. Chairperson Cherniak: Okay, so if there are no other questions from any of the members, I would like to make a motion to approve. Herb Hyde seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Herb Hyde X Barbara Hildreth X Thomas Rifenberg X Robert Langley Absent CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN AT 20 WHITE STREET Chairperson Cherniak: Okay, our next item is the sign at 20 White Street. Is there any more information about that from the applicant? Joseph Seman-Graves: There is no new information, but the applicant is here to answer any questions the board may have. Chairperson Cherniak: Okay. Does anyone have questions regarding the proposed sign for the pizzeria? Barbara Hildreth: Is this sign going over the door? Mr. Billy Pettis: Yes. It'll be in the middle of the entrance right below the windows for the second and third story to make sure it is visible when you drive by. Herb Hyde: Yes, but that sounds a little bit high for that location, it is hard to visualize at the moment without seeing it. Is the entrance set in? Mr. Billy Pettis: Yes, our entrance is set in about three feet. Herb Hyde: We had questions about the colors as well. The coloration proposed is black and white and I kind of like the design with the pizza slices. We talked about a less dark coloration for this sign, possibly a tricolor background, maybe Italian flag colors or something like that. Mr. Billy Pettis: Yeah. We were just going with that look because a lot of the signs down here were black and white. Herb Hyde: Well, that's just my suggestion. That may be a little bit dark for the background, depending on what color the pizza slices are going to be, right? If you want something that's going to stand out because you're on a side street and if you had brighter colors, whether it be the pizza slices or like the background that I described to you, that would make it stand out. Who's going to do your signage? Mr. Billy Pettis: E K & B Signs. Herb Hyde: They are aware of the code as they have done some work in the city. The sign material is going to be wood. So, this is going to be flat just painted, with stickers for the letters and images? Mr. Billy Pettis: Yes, it will be a flat wood sign with some type of sticker material for the letters. Herb Hyde: Now from the corner, will you be able to see that under the window because you havetwo by three feet under the window to fit it? Mr. Billy Pettis: Yes. That's why I came up with the measurement. Barbara Hildreth: Will the sign have lights on it? Mr. Billy Pettis: No, we are not going to light the sign. Herb Hyde: So, what do you folks think of the coloration here the black-and-white? Chairperson Cherniak: I think the design is fine, but I think it probably a little bit lighter will help would help it stand out more. Herb Hyde: I am assuming the pizza slices will not be in black and white, correct? Mr. Billy Pettis: Yes, they will be in color. Herb Hyde: Yes, that would make it stand out. You want to be able to make your sign stand out, and we are just trying to give you some helpful suggestions. Thomas Rifenberg: What colors will the pizza slices be, like the classic red pepperoni? Mr. Billy Pettis: Yes, exactly. Classic looking pizza slice. Herb Hyde: What do you think Daniele, would the applicant coming in with a different sign color be better? Chairperson Cherniak: I think all we can really do is offer suggestions and as long as it's within the color palette and some color that complements the building, I think that would be fine. Herb Hyde: Okay. So, what do you think, Daniele? We should take a vote on the sign design? Chairperson Cherniak: I think that would be fine. Herb Hyde: I will make a motion that we accept the sign as such and that the applicant can look into the things, especially sign color, that we recommended for improving the curb appeal of the design. Chairperson Cherniak: Ok, so do I have a second? Thomas Rifenberg seconds the motion and it passes unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Herb Hyde X Barbara Hildreth X Thomas Rifenberg X Robert Langley Absent Chairperson Cherniak: Ok, thank you all, with that I would like to make a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 PM, do I have a second? Barbara Hildreth seconds the motion. Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 PM