Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes June 19, 2017 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Britt called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Carrie Britt-Narcavage, Chair; Dr. Dean Bennett; Jackie Craven; David F. Lowry; Patricia Yager EXCUSED: Ben Wiles, Vice Chair STAFF: Avi Epstein, Zoning Officer; Ashlynn Savarese, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Jennifer Mills, Secretary III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Commissioner Bennett stated that he would be recusing himself from the consideration of Old Business Item A, the proposal for 108 North Ferry Street submitted by Maxime Guinel. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Britt, seconded by Commissioner Lowry, to postpone the vote on the April 17, 2017 and May 15, 2017 Meeting Minutes until the July meeting because the Commissioners did not yet receive copies of the Minutes for review. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Bennett absent from the vote. V. NEW BUSINESS - Applications A. Consideration for approval submitted by Maryanne Malecki to paint the house, shed, shutters, and accent (doors). The premise is located at 1183 Stratford Road. Maryanne Malecki appeared before the Commission. Ms. Malecki explained that she would like to paint the house and shed the colors included in the application – the body of the house a sage green, the shutters burgundy, the doors yellow, and the trim white. Commissioner Craven asked if she will be putting the shutters back on the house. Ms. Malecki responded that she will be and that they had been taken off for repairs. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –June 19, 2017 –Page 1 of 5  Motion by Commissioner Britt, seconded by Commissioner Lowry, to approve as submitted the application to paint the house and shed with the following condition: 1. Once commenced, the project will be completed within one year. Findings: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Bennett absent from the vote. B. Consideration for approval submitted by Mark Younes to repair the siding on the alley side of the house. The premise is located at 51 Washington Avenue. Mark Younes appeared before the Commission. Mr. Younes explained that an approximately 11 by 15 foot portion of aluminum siding on the alley side of the building came unlocked and blew off. He stated that he has been able to locate aluminum siding in an identical color and thus would like to replace the piece that was previously there. Commissioner Britt asked if the new siding has the same clapboard configuration as the existing. Mr. Younes stated that it does. Motion by Commissioner Britt, seconded by Commissioner Lowry, to approve as submitted the application to repair the aluminum siding on the alley side of the building with a product identical to what is existing with the following condition: 1. Once commenced, the project will be completed within one year. Findings: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The building currently has olive-colored aluminum siding on all four elevations. The repair of the missing siding will be completed with a material identical to the existing. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Bennett absent from the vote. C. Consideration for approval submitted by Lawrence James to construct a 20x10 foot 4-season, fully insulated sunroom constructed of glass and aluminum. The premise is located at 142 Front Street. Lawrence James and a representative from Patio Enclosures appeared before the Commission. Mr. James explained that he wishes to add a sunroom to the rear of his home so that his elderly mother-in-law can enjoy the yard and gardens without having to go outside if it is too hot or cold. Commissioner Britt asked if the glass will be clear. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –June 19, 2017 –Page 2 of 5 Mr. James stated that it will be. Commissioner Yager asked if a current window opening will be made into the door that will serve as the entrance to the sunroom. Mr. James stated that it will. Commissioner Bennett asked if the sunroom will be installed over a portion of the current patio. Mr. James responded that it will extend to the beginning of the current patio and over the gravel area that currently exists between the patio and the back of the house. Commissioner Britt read aloud the section of the Design Standards relating to additions. She stated that she believes that the goals of a four-season room cannot be met by altering an existing interior space. Commissioner Britt also commented that the addition will be to the rear elevation, which is clearly less historically significant in this case, and will be barely visible from the public right-of-way, and then only in the winter months. She stated that she is comfortable in stating that the rear elevation is not character-defining. The Commissioners concurred. Commissioner Yager asked if the window that will be removed for the door is original to the house. Mr. James stated that it is not but rather was added later. Commissioner Yager asked if Mr. James plans to keep the window. Mr. James responded that he plans to store it in the basement. Commissioner Lowry stated that he is aware of other sunroom additions in the Stockade and does not believe that they alter the historic character of the building if they are added in the proper way. Commissioner Bennett agreed. Commissioner Lowry asked if the sunroom could be removed in the future without altering the rest of the structure. Mr. James stated that it could but the siding would have to be repaired where it had been attached. Motion by Commissioner Britt, seconded by Commissioner Yager, to approve as submitted the application to construct a 10x20 foot, 4-season, fully insulated sunroom made of glass and aluminum, with the following conditions: 1. Once commenced, the project will be completed within one year. 2. The window that is being removed to construct the entrance to the sunroom will be labeled and stored in the basement. Findings: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The proposed room is clearly a different type of construction than the rest of the home. 3. The rear elevation, to which the sunroom will be added, is clearly a non- character-defining elevation. 4. The sunroom is a reversible addition that will result in virtually no permanent alteration to the current structure. 5. The applicant has agreed to salvage the window that will be removed and store it safely. 6. The addition has very limited visibility from the right-of-way. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –June 19, 2017 –Page 3 of 5  Motion carried unanimously. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Maxime Guinel for the installation of a fence in the rear of the property. The premise is located at 108 North Ferry Street. Maxime Guinel appeared before the Commission. Prior to the beginning of the consideration of the application Counselor Savarese explained to the Commissioners that their purview is simply to consider the design of the fence and its historical value or significance and that they cannot be involved in a private dispute between the neighbors over an easement. Mr. Guinel began his presentation by commenting on the storage tent in the neighbor’s yard. Commissioner Britt explained that the tent is not a part of this application and thus should not be discussed at this time. She asked Mr. Guinel which option of his application that he would like considered. Mr. Guinel stated that he would prefer to consider the same design as was approved by the HDC when an application was made by the previous owner of his home. Commissioner Britt asked what style of fence he is proposing. Mr. Guinel responded that he would like to use a standard six-foot stockade fence. Commissioner Craven commented that this would probably be the best option because it could easily be removed if necessary. The Commissioners agreed. Commissioner Britt stated that she would approve of Option 1 or 2, depending on what the Building Inspector’s Office would approve. The Commissioners agreed. Motion by Commissioner Craven, seconded by Commissioner Britt, to approve Option 1 or 2 as submitted in the application to install a fence in the rear of the property with the following conditions: 1. Once commenced, the project will be completed within one year. 2. Either Option 1 or 2 is approved by the Commission pending approval by the Building Inspector’s Office. 3. The fence will be a standard wood stockade design, no higher than six feet. Findings: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The Commission is aware of the existing private easement along the property of 108 North Ferry Street granting the property owners of 107 Front Street the right of ingress and egress to access a garage at the back of their property. The Commission's approval pertains only to the design, materials, and historical significance of the fence as visible from the public right of way and subject to any and all easements and/or other legal Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –June 19, 2017 –Page 4 of 5  restrictions. This decision does not constitute permission to construct the fence as the Commission's approval is contingent upon the applicant obtaining the necessary permits or approvals as required by the Schenectady City Code. Motion carried, with Commissioner Bennett abstaining. VII. MISCELLANEOUS None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Britt, seconded by Commissioner Lowry, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Bennett absent from the vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 pm. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –June 19, 2017 –Page 5 of 5