Historic Preservation & Architectural Review Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 AT 8:00AM MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniele Cherniak, Chair Barbara Hildreth, Vice Chair John Frainier Tony Kusaywa ABSENT: Evan Lamb ALSO PRESENT: Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant Tess Drauschak, Assistant Planner Chairperson Cherniak called the December 19, 2023 Special meeting of the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board to order at 8:00AM. Roll Call; Members present; Chairperson Cherniak, Vice Chair Hildreth, Member Frainier, Member Kusaywa Absent; Evan Lamb CONSIDERATION OF THE NOVEMBER 29, 2023 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Chairperson Cherniak; next item on the agenda is consideration of the November 29, 2023 meeting minutes, has everyone had a chance to review the minutes; motion to approve the minutes 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 Tony Kusaywa ABSTAIN CONSIDERATION OF A SIGN AT 149 REMSEN STREET Chairperson Cherniak; next item is for a sign at 149 Remsen Street. She asked the applicant to explain what he was looking to do. Mr. Benjamin Felthousen we are moving our floral business from Columbia Street to 149 Remsen Street and we would like to install new signage and down lighting on both of the signs. Chairperson Cherniak; how are you planning to attach the lighting? Mr. Felthousen; that could just be surface mounted, there’s an upper facia that is wood that we could have the wire come through and surface mount it right there. Chairperson Cherniak; and as far as the sign goes, is this the appearance it will have (pointed it out on the picture of the sign)with this wood background? Mr. Felthousen; yes, that was provided by Vital Signs Vice Chair Hildreth; if you are going with Vital, you’ll be good, they know all the regulations for signs Mr. Felthousen; that is why---I had contacted another company and got a quote from them, someone we used before out of Schenectady. And I always get a second quote and figured why not get one from a local place that has done half the signs in the City of Cohoes too. He gave me a better price and assured me he knows all the rules for Remsen Street and that he could take care of everything. Chairperson Cherniak; so it will cover most of this—(pointed out on picture) Mr. Felthousen; yes and the one on the White Street side it will say Florist. I was only considering installing lighting on the Remsen Street side not the White Street side. Vice Chair Hildreth; ok Mr. Felthousen; if that’s not ok then I’ll figure something else out. Chairperson Cherniak; as long as it is not obtrusive we definitely prefer externally illuminated signs and not internally illuminated signs. Unobtrusive lighting that will highlight the sign that is fine, as long as you aren’t doing damage to the façade while installing the light fixtures, then we are fine with that. Mr. Felthousen; no I would have it professionally installed, without damage to anything and just one hole drilled for the wire to come through. Chairperson Cherniak; any other questions from board members? Do I have a motion to approve the application? Motion to approve the application was made by Vice Chair Hildreth 2nd by Member Kusaywa All in favor AYE motion carried unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Barbara Hildreth X Evan Lamb ABSENT John Frainier X Tony Kusaywa X CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR ALREADY INSTALLED ENTRANCE STAIRS AT 55-57 VLIET STREET Chairperson Cherniak; you are here for 55-57 Vliet Street can you tell us a little bit about what you are doing? Mr. Rame Balaj; the front stairs were destroyed so I wanted to make them new Vice Chair Hildreth; I saw them and they are beautiful. Chairperson Cherniak; so this is the railing you plan to install? Mr. Balaj; yes they are already installed. I try my best to make it nice. Chairperson Cherniak; so essentially we are approving what is already done there. Chairperson Cherniak explained to the applicant that any exterior work to be done is to come before the Historic Board for approval. Mr. Balaj; stated that he didn’t know about coming to the board, not that he wanted to disrespect them but he didn’t know Chairperson Cherniak; ok understood. So I guess we can move forward, we are in agreement that the project is suitable and is a necessary thing to be done, so can I have a motion to approve the application? Motion was made to approve the application by Vice Chair Hildreth 2nd by Member Frainier All in favor AYE motion carried unanimously.  YES NO ABSTAIN Daniele Cherniak X Barbara Hildreth X Evan Lamb ABSENT John Frainier X Tony Kusaywa X With no other business to discuss a motion was made by Member Kusaywa to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 AM 2nd by Vice Chair Hildreth.