Historic Resource Commission

APPROVED May 14, 2018 Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes January 16, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Wiles called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. Vice Chair Wiles explained to the public that with four Commissioners present there were enough votes to have a quorum and to act on an application, and that because the Commission has seven members, a majority of the full Commission (four votes) is required to approve or deny a proposal regardless of how many Commissioners are present at the meeting. Thus, for an item to be approved at this meeting it would require all four Commissioners present to vote to approve. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Dr. Dean Bennett; David F. Lowry; Ben Wiles; Patricia Yager STAFF: Rima Shamieh, Assistant Planner; Ashlynn Savarese, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Jennifer Mills, Secretary EXCUSED: Jackie Craven III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Yager, seconded by Commissioner Lowry, to approve the December 18, 2017 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. V. PRESENTATIONS A. Presentation by Scott Basiuk, Branch Sales Manager at Renewal by Andersen, about Andersen replacement windows made from composite material. Scott Basiuk presented information to the Commissioners regarding the Fibrex® windows that are sold and installed by his company, Renewal by Andersen. He explained that he often fields inquiries from owners of historic properties within Schenectady and he tells them that the windows he sells will not be approved by the Historic District Commission as an acceptable replacement window for wood windows, as they are not a traditional 100% wood window. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –January 16, 2018 –Page 1 of 6  APPROVED May 14, 2018 Mr. Basiuk demonstrated, using his sample window, that the interior half of the window is traditional wood, and available in pine, maple, or oak, while the exterior is composed of Fibrex® - which is a reclaimed wood material mixed with a PVC polymer. He stated that the Fibrex® material comes in a variety of colors, but may also be painted with a high-quality exterior paint. He explained that the windows come in a variety of grill designs and can be custom fit for many applications. Mr. Basiuk added that the windows include several different guarantees, and are much more energy efficient and durable than new wood windows. Commissioner Wiles asked Mr. Basiuk if he could provide specific examples of these windows having been used on historic properties. Mr. Basiuk stated that he had just installed them in Lake Placid on a church that is on the National Historic Register. Commissioner Lowry asked if he had been in contact with anyone at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and sought out their opinion on the product being used for historical applications. Mr. Basiuk stated that he had not. Assistant Planner Shamieh stated that she would give Mr. Basiuk some contact information for key staff within SHPO. Commissioner Wiles asked if Mr. Basiuk knew if these windows could be used by property owners seeking historic tax credits. Mr. Basiuk stated that he did not know. Commissioner Bennett stated that in his opinion the main question is whether the Fibrex® windows are a suitable replacement for wood windows, and that this should be the main point of discussion for the Commissioners. Ms. Shamieh agreed, stating that she believes that this question should be part of a larger discussion at a more appropriate time. She added that there are many issues associated with using any kind of replacement window, which is set into an existing frame and thus cuts down on the amount of glass in the window, and has the potential to significantly alter the appearance of a structure. Mr. Basiuk acknowledged that there is a loss of approximately 1 to 11/8 inch of glass around the perimeter of the window, but noted that the increased trim is equal to what would exist with aluminum storms and screens. Commissioner Yager stated that she thinks the product is an interesting alternative, and likes that it is energy efficient and environmentally-friendly, in that it uses reclaimed sawdust mixed in the polymer exterior. Commissioner Lowry agreed. Commissioner Wiles thanked Mr. Basiuk for his time and added that any additional information that he might provide regarding the use of the windows on historic properties would be helpful. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Dennis Ryan on behalf of 713 Union Street LLC to replace windows on the garage. The premises are located at 713 Union Street. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –January 16, 2018 –Page 2 of 6  APPROVED May 14, 2018 Dennis Ryan, contractor for 713 Union Street LLC, appeared before the Commission. Mr. Ryan explained that the space over the garage is currently being converted to an apartment, and that to meet fire code there must be at least two casement windows with an area of 5.7 square feet available for ingress and egress. He stated that the existing single hung windows are too small to meet this requirement, and that they are also completely rotted and need to be replaced. Mr. Ryan stated that they would be willing to add another window, so that the north side of the garage would have two matching casement windows and the others would all be matching double-hung. He explained that they are proposing to use Andersen Fibrex® windows, as are currently in use of the back portion of the main house, as he showed in a photo. Assistant Planner Shamieh noted that the prior 1986 application approved by the HDC was for wood windows, not the Fibrex® material. Commissioner Wiles asked if the total number of windows, including the proposed additional new window, is nine windows. Mr. Ryan confirmed that it is. Ms. Shamieh asked Mr. Ryan if his client would prefer to add the new window to the bedroom side of the building, rather than enlarge an existing opening in the back on the building. Mr. Ryan stated that he would, so that the two required casement windows would be on the same side of the building and match. Commissioner Wiles asked what color the windows will be. Mr. Ryan stated that they were called black on the invoice, but that they will match the windows on the main house and will be a very dark brown or bronze color. Commissioner Wiles asked if the current windows are beyond repair. Mr. Ryan replied that they are, and that the new Fibrex® windows will be much more energy efficient. Commissioner Wiles stated that in fact the new glass is what will mostly add to the energy efficiency of the new windows, and not the composite material. Mr. Ryan agreed. Commissioner Yager asked Ms. Shamieh if the Commissioners have more flexibility in approving new materials since the apartment is a new use of the building. Ms. Shamieh stated that the new use is not relevant, but the fact that the building is not the original outbuilding on the property is. She stated that she had spoken with a representative from SHPO, who stated that the office did not have any objection to the use of the composite windows on the non-contributing outbuilding. Commissioner Yager asked if it matters if this is a material that could have been used when the garage was built in the mid-seventies. Ms. Shamieh stated that it does not, since the garage is a non-contributing structure. Commissioner Bennett stated that he does not have any objection to the use of the composite material in this application. Commissioner Lowry agreed, stating that he initially had some concerns but that once he had more information about the windows and where they are proposed to be used on this building he feels that they are appropriate, especially since the building is significantly set back from Union Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –January 16, 2018 –Page 3 of 6  APPROVED May 14, 2018 Street. Ms. Shamieh noted that the issue would be very different if the proposal was for the main house. Commissioner Yager noted that it is possible to use a grill in the casement windows to make them appear to look like single- or double-hung. Mr. Ryan stated that he does not know if the added grill would meet code. Ms. Shamieh stated that she does not believe that it would be worth the trouble and expense, because without the added dimension it would most likely appear fake. Commissioner Yager agreed, and asked if the existing windows are double-hung or single-hung. Mr. Ryan confirmed that they are single-hung, but stated that they would be willing to use double-hung if required. Commissioner Yager stated that double-hung would be better for ventilation purposes. Commissioner Wiles stated that he would be comfortable leaving the choice up to the applicant. The Commissioners agreed. Motion by Commissioner Yager, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to approve the application as submitted, with the following modifications and conditions: 1. Once commenced, the project will be completed within one year. 2. Nine windows are approved, including one new window opening, which will be added to the north side of the building. The two windows on the north side of the building will be casement windows, as required to meet fire code. 3. The other seven windows will be one-over-one pane, either single- or double-hung. 4. The windows will be black, dark brown, or dark bronze, to match the windows on the main house. Findings: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The garage does not front Union Street and is not a contributing building to the Union Street Corridor Historic District or any other historic district. 3. The architectural design of the garage is not at all similar to the house at this address. 4. The replacement windows, except for the two casement windows, will be similar in size and design to the existing windows. 5. The two windows on the north side of the building, one new and one replacement, will be identical in size and appearance and sized to meet the requirements of the fire code. 6. This decision does not include any of the doors on the garage or any other exterior feature of the house at this address or the garage that is the subject of this application. Nor does it indicate in any way what materials would be acceptable for use in replacement doors or any other feature. Motion carried unanimously. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –January 16, 2018 –Page 4 of 6  APPROVED May 14, 2018 VII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Status update on new Commissioner appointments Assistant Planner Shamieh noted that she has heard from several parties interested in applying for the vacant Commissioner positions. She stated that she has asked that all application materials be submitted by January 26, 2018, so that consideration of the applications may proceed the next week. B. Discussion of Commission guidance document Ms. Shamieh stated that as discussed at the December meeting she would like to move forward with the formation of a subcommittee to consider the drafts of the new guidance document, and the staff approval guidelines. Commissioner Wiles stated that he believes that the draft will most likely have to originate from staff, and then the Commissioners can comment and suggest modifications and amendments. Ms. Shamieh stated that she has no objection to composing the drafts, but that she got the impression at the December meeting that the Commissioners were open to working on a subcommittee to both help seed the content and have a more in-depth discussion of the drafts before they are finalized. Commissioner Wiles stated that he has an issue with availability over the next 13 weeks. He asked if perhaps the project should be held off until new Commissioners are appointed. Commissioner Lowry stated that he had the same concern. Ms. Shamieh stated that since this is the slowest time of the year for new applications, she has more time to devote to the project now and would at least like to get started. The Commissioners stated that they would have no objection to beginning the process. It was determined that due to availability issues, Commissioners Bennett and Yager would work on a subcommittee with Ms. Shamieh for this phase of the project, and that the other Commissioners will be kept informed of any developments via email, as they occur. C. Staff Report Ms. Shamieh noted that an issue had arisen with the property at 10 Union Avenue being erroneously omitted from the Union Triangle Historic District map, and that this has led to her review of the boundaries and included properties in all the historic districts in the city. She added that she will keep the Commissioners updated on any new developments in the project. Ms. Shamieh stated that the 2018 training session will be held on Thursday, March 22, from 7 pm to 9 pm and will be conducted by Linda Mackey from SHPO. Ms. Shamieh updated the Commissioners on the status of the FEMA grant. She stated that a $9 million grant has been awarded to the City, with $1 to $1.5 million earmarked for a study of the project and the rest of the funds to be used directly for mitigation purposes. She noted that no public meetings have been scheduled yet, as the paperwork is still being finalized, but that she would keep the Commissioners updated on any developments. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –January 16, 2018 –Page 5 of 6  APPROVED May 14, 2018 VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Lowry, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 pm. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes –January 16, 2018 –Page 6 of 6