Historic Preservation & Architectural Review Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 AT 6:30PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chairperson Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chair John Frainier ABSENT: Evan Lamb ALSO PRESENT: Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant Joseph Seman-Graves, City Planner Tess Drauschak, Assistant Planner Chairperson Cherniak called the August 16, 2022 meeting of the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board to order at 6:31PM. Roll Call; Members present; Chair Cherniak, Vice Chair Hildreth, Member Frainier Absent: Member Lamb CONSIDERATION OF THE JULY 20, 2022 MEETING MINUTES Chairperson Cherniak; asked if members had time to review the minutes of the July 20th meeting and if there were any questions or comments. Being none she asked for a motion to accept the meeting minutes as submitted. Motion was made by Member Frainier 2nd by Vice Chair Hildreth all in favor AYE motion carried. YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Barbara Hildreth X Evan Lamb ABSENT John Frainier X CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN AT 237 REMSEN STREET Chairperson Cherniak; next item on the agenda is 237 Remsen Street, she asked the applicant to give an overview of what they planned on doing. Debra Williams told the board she was looking to put a sign up and nothing else is going to go on the outside of the building. I made my sign already and she showed the board members what it would look like, stating that the colors are within the Historic Color Palette and the sign is 2 sided. Chairperson Cherniak asked if it was going to be hung on an existing bracket Ms. Williams stated yes Chairperson Cherniak asked if they were going to put any lighting in for the sign Ms. Williams responded that she was going to ask about that because the sign is black and she was wondering if they could put a solar light up to shine on either side of the sign Chairperson Cherniak stated that any exterior lighting would have to be reviewed by the board Ms. Williams stated that she would submit that to the board once she found a design Vice Chair Hildreth asked if they were going to take off all lettering on the windows Ms. Williams stated yes and showed them a mock up of what is going there. She told the board that she wasn’t sure yet but she wasn’t going put any vinyl in the RJS side because she is trying to buy a cat and she showed the board a picture of what she is looking to purchase and put in the window. Chairperson Cherniak asked if the cat would be painted Ms. Williams stated no that the Catskill cats are beautiful and you don’t need to do anything to them. Mr. Bonnier stated to the board that one issue brought up at the planning meeting was the air conditioning Ms. Williams explained to the board that the previous tenants had the air conditioning in the middle over the front door. She wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be a problem if the air conditioner remained in the same spot. Joe Seman-Graves told the board that the planning board said they weren’t sure if this would be considered a, it’s not a permanent fixture, and asked how they would consider an air conditioner on the front façade. Other stores do have it, and there are not side or back windows, but he stated he never encountered that before with a historic application Chairperson Cherniak; we never have had anyone come to us about air conditioners Ms. Williams stated that they really needed air conditioning but if the board vetoed that they could look into a stand-up air conditioner Chairperson Cherniak stated that if there was an alternative that would be preferred, if there was a side window or alley way Ms. Williams responded that they don’t have any side or rear windows. Chairperson Cherniak said she understands that in a lot of cases this is the only option, it is really something we haven’t dealt with before Vice Chair Hildreth asked where the air conditioning would be pointing it out on a picture of the building, and that it would be just the exterior of the air conditioner showing, which is silver and the trim in that area is silver also. Joe Seman-Graves asked if condensation would be dripping down Mr. Bonnier stated yes and if it was an issue that they would have to come up with something for that. Chairperson Cherniak if there is no reasonable alternative then that would be ok. She then asked if board members had any other questions, being none she then asked for a motion to approve the application. Motion was made by Vice Chair Hildreth 2nd by Member Frainier all in favor AYE motion carried YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Barbara Hildreth X Evan Lamb ABSENT John Frainier X CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN FOR 289 ONTARIO STREET Chairperson Cherniak next item on the agenda is 289 Ontario Street and she asked the applicant to give an overview of what she wanted to do Brittany Brown stated she wanted to put up an exterior sign 24x36 and put it on the existing bracket on the building Vice Chair Hildreth asked if it the sign color would match the colors on the building Ms. Brown responded yes it was going to be peach color Vice Chair Hildreth asked if the sign was going to be a two-sided sign Ms. Brown responded yes Member Frainier asked about lighting Ms. Brown stated she didn’t know because she doesn’t have clients at night, but if in the future that changed she would come back in front of the board Chairperson Cherniak asked if there was going to be any other exterior changes Ms. Brown responded no, just the sign Vice Chair Hildreth asked if repairs were going to be made on the bottom part of the window that is rotted out Ms. Brown stated that the landlord said they are on a waiting list for the materials for the windows, and she wasn’t sure how long that wait was Joe Seman-Graves responded that he could reach out to the owner because the board did approve façade aspects in 2020 for this building Chairperson Cherniak asked if board members had any other questions, being none she asked for a motion to approve the application Member Frainier made the motion 2nd by Vice Chair Hildreth all in favor AYE motion carried YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Barbara Hildreth X Evan Lamb ABSENT John Frainier X Chairperson Cherniak asked if there was any other business to discuss Joe Seman-Graves gave an update on the grants and projects going on; Remsen Street project, the $500,000 award for the library bell tower project, 2 grants executed for the roof at City Hall which the work won’t take place until spring, 2 grant applications for the music hall, Columbia Street project, Matton Ship yard grants and what is happening with the project, Green Island the old Ford plant Luizzi is putting in 300 units. Chairperson Cherniak asked Joe to keep them posted on the door at 237 Remsen Street (the applicant brought up prior to the meeting starting that the owner was going to install a new door and had already installed a door in the apartment entrance) With no other business to discuss Motion was made by Vice Chair Hildreth 2nd by Member Frainier to adjourn at 6:57PM