Historic Resource Commission

Adopted Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes March 19, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Wiles called the meeting to order at 7:12 PM. Commissioner Wiles had explained to the applicant that the start of the meeting would be slightly delayed waiting for Commissioner Bennett, who had communicated that he would be a few minutes late. Commissioner Wiles welcomed the new Commission members – Commissioner Shaun Andriano and Commissioner Frank Gilmore. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Shaun Andriano; Dr. Dean Bennett; Jackie Craven; Frank Gilmore; Ben Wiles; Patricia Yager STAFF: Rima Shamieh, Assistant Planner; Ashlynn Savarese, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Jennifer Mills, Secretary EXCUSED: David F. Lowry III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Wiles explained to the new Commissioners that it has been the practice of the Commission that only Commissioners who were present at that meeting would vote to adopt the Minutes. Because there were not four Commissioners present who had attended the January meeting, the vote on the January Meeting Minutes was postponed until the April meeting. Motion by Commissioner Yager, seconded by Commissioner Craven, to approve the February 20, 2018 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried, with Commissioners Andriano and Gilmore abstaining. V. NEW BUSINESS - APPLICATIONS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Marjorie Hyland to replace a fence and storm windows. The premises are located at 1204 Rugby Road. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2018 –Page 1 of 6  Adopted Marjorie Hyland appeared before the Commission. Commissioner Wiles suggested that the fence and storm window portions of the application be discussed individually. The Commissioners and Ms. Hyland agreed. Ms. Hyland explained that in September and November of 2017 and in March of 2018 three large tree limbs had fallen on this portion of chain link fence in her rear yard, damaging it beyond repair. She stated that rather than replace the chain link in this section she would prefer to install a decorative metal fence, as shown in her application. Ms. Hyland noted that her neighbors also have a decorative fence that she believes is an attractive part of their landscaping, and she would like to have a similar feature in her yard, with the fence serving as a backdrop for a flower garden and various plantings. Commissioner Wiles asked if the fence will extend to the rear corner of the yard. Ms. Hyland stated that it will not. Commissioner Wiles asked if the portion of the chain link fence beyond the decorative fence to the rear corner of the yard will remain. Ms. Hyland responded that it will. Commissioner Craven asked if the new fence will extend slightly further than the back of the garage. Ms. Hyland responded that it will. Commissioner Craven stated that when she visited the property it appeared to her that only a small portion of the fence would be visible from the right of way. Ms. Hyland agreed, stating that when the arbor vitae she had recently planted reach maturity she does not believe that the fence will be visible at all. Commissioner Wiles asked if the current chain link fence belongs to Ms. Hyland. She replied that it does. Commissioner Yager asked Ms. Hyland if she eventually plans to continue the decorative fence further. Ms. Hyland replied that she does not have any plans to do so in the near future, due to the cost of the fence. Commissioner Craven asked Ms. Hyland if the new fence will be the same height as the chain link. Ms. Hyland responded that it will be. Commissioner Wiles asked if there is a certain name for the style of the fence she chose. Ms. Hyland stated that she does not know the name for the design, but that it is the exact style as shown in the brochure submitted with her application. Commissioner Wiles asked what the purpose of the fence is, for instance, if it is used for privacy or security. Ms. Hyland responded that it is not used for either of those purposes, but that her neighbors do have dogs which are kept contained in their yard by the fence, and she also she likes the look of the fence as a backdrop for her flower gardens. Commissioner Wiles asked if she had ever considered not replacing the fence. Ms. Hyland responded that she had not. She explained that her neighbors have a decorative fence that they have made an integral part of their landscaping, and she would like to do the same. She stated that she believes that it contributes to a nice atmosphere in the yard. Commissioner Yager asked if the fence is visible from the back deck and patio. Ms. Hyland stated that it is, which is why she feels that it is an important part of the rear yard landscape. She added that having the fence is Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2018 –Page 2 of 6  Adopted more of a choice than a need, but she believes that it will have a minimal impact when her property is viewed from the street. Commissioner Yager asked if the neighbors’ dogs will be able to get through the fence. Ms. Hyland stated that they will not. Seeing no further comments or questions from the Commissioners regarding the fence Commissioner Wiles turned the discussion to the new storm windows. Ms. Hyland explained that the current storm windows are at least 45 years old and have significantly oxidized and deteriorated. She stated that the previous owner of her home was a very good handyman and had repaired many of them several times but many of the storms and screens are not operable. Ms. Hyland noted that warmth and energy efficiency is not her first concern, but that she feels very strongly about adequately protecting the original wood windows from the elements and would also like to be able to use the screens in the warmer months, since her house does not have air conditioning. She added that most of the windows on the first floor still have the original wood storms, except for some of the dining room and living room windows, and she does not wish to replace the storms on any windows other than those that already have the aluminum storms. Ms. Hyland explained that she had included a photo of the bronze storm windows that her neighbor had installed, noting that she had chosen the bronze because she liked it on the neighbor’s house and felt the color was close to that of the body of her house, which is dark brown. Commissioner Wiles asked if the proposed new windows have a painted finish. Ms. Hyland stated that they do not, explaining that the color is bonded to the window in the manufacturing process. Commissioner Wiles asked Ms. Hyland if she had chosen the bronze color for aesthetic reasons. Ms. Hyland responded that she had. Commissioner Yager asked if she had considered painting the windows. Ms. Hyland stated that she had, and that she eventually would like to paint them, but that there will not be time before the new storm window installation because the contractor will remove the old storm windows and replace them with the new ones immediately. Commissioner Craven commented that she understands why Ms. Hyland likes the bronze storm windows on the neighbor’s house but added that she believes that the reason they look so nice is because the neighbor’s window sashes are painted a dark brown, so the storm windows blend in very well with them. She explained that if the windows on Ms. Hyland’s house remain off-white the bronze storms will be much more apparent, and the effect of all the small panes of glass being contained by the lighter edge will be lost, significantly impacting the appearance of the windows. Commissioner Bennett agreed, stating that they effect would leave the design looking like more of an open-sided tic tac toe board than a contained window. Ms. Hyland stated that she would not be willing to install white storm windows, as there is no other white on the house. She explained that she had originally thought that the bronze would give the effect of a dark mat on a photo, but that she can understand the Commissioners’ point. Ms. Hyland stated that she would be willing Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2018 –Page 3 of 6  Adopted to research the availability of a cream finish for the storms, similar to the window and trim color. Commissioner Wiles stated that the brochure Ms. Hyland provided states that this design is available in white, bronze, or aluminum finish. Commissioner Craven stated that other manufacturers make the same style window in a cream or antique white color. Commissioner Wiles asked the Commissioners if they felt strongly about restricting the color of the new windows, or if they would like to leave the color up to Ms. Hyland’s discretion. Commissioner Craven responded that she feels strongly that Ms. Hyland would not be happy with the look of the bronze windows, unless she plans to paint the window sashes a matching shade. Ms. Hyland stated that she does not plan to paint the sashes. Commissioner Bennett stated that he agrees with Commissioner Craven. Ms. Hyland explained that she had only spoken with Lowe’s regarding an estimate for the windows, simply due to time constraints, but that she would be willing to research the availability of the windows in a cream color. She added that the current windows are the mill (aluminum) finish, and she would not like to use that finish again. Commissioner Craven stated that they appeared to be white. Ms. Hyland responded that the lighter color is due to the oxidization. Commissioner Yager read an excerpt from the NPS Technical Brief on Windows and Doors (provided by Assistant Planner Shamieh in her Staff Notes), which states that, “Painting storm windows to match the historic window frames will help diminish their visual impact on the building.” She explained that if the applicant decided to use the bronze storms she believes that the windows should then be painted bronze to minimize the impact, as stated in the brief. Ms. Hyland stated that she is not averse to moving forward with the cream color storms, providing that they are available and not prohibitively expensive. Commissioner Bennett commented that he did not think Ms. Hyland would be happy with the bronze storms, as they would be very apparent against the cream window frames and sashes. Commissioner Craven suggested that the Commissioners approve the application with the cream windows, and if for some reason Ms. Hyland changes her mind or the windows are not available she would come back for further consideration, but otherwise she could move forward. The Commissioners and Ms. Hyland agreed. Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Yager, to approve the application as submitted, with the following modifications and conditions: 1. The project will be completed within one year. 2. The fence is approved as submitted. If the design chosen is different from the brochure provided with the application the applicant will submit the new design to the Assistant Planner for review prior to installing the fence. 3. The new storm windows are not approved in bronze, as stated in the application, but instead will be a cream or almond color. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2018 –Page 4 of 6  Adopted 4. If for any reason the applicant decides to use a color other than the cream color that is approved, the applicant will return the Commission for further review prior to purchasing or installing the windows. Findings: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. Following a discussion of the window color the applicant has agreed to further research the availability of the same storm window design in a cream color and agrees that this color will be more appropriate than the originally submitted bronze. 3. All the storm windows being replaced are currently aluminum triple-track windows. The windows that currently have wood storm windows will not be altered in any way. Motion carried unanimously. VII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Subcommittee on Commission guidance document update Commissioner Bennett reported that the subcommittee plans to meet again next Wednesday to review the latest revisions to the draft. Ms. Shamieh stated that she will email a copy of the revised draft to the subcommittee members by close of business this Wednesday. B. Online Application Development Ms. Shamieh stated that she has begun working on an online application form that she hopes to have ready for beta testing by the summer. She explained that she would like to make it available to potential applicants in exchange for their review of the online process. Commissioner Craven stated that she is very happy to hear this, as she feels that it is difficult for many homeowners to come to City Hall during business hours to submit their application. She added that it could even help with compliance, as homeowners might be more likely to apply for review if the process is less difficult. Ms. Shamieh noted that unfortunately at this time there is no method to allow the applicants to pay online, so they would have to send a check in the mail or bring it to City Hall. C. Commissioner Craven steps down Ms. Shamieh noted that this was Commissioner Craven’s last meeting, as she has decided to step down from the Commission. Commissioner Craven stated that she has served for ten years and feels like it is time to move on. On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Wiles thanked her for her excellent service, adding that she always gave very thoughtful consideration to the applications and treated the applicants with courtesy and kindness. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2018 –Page 5 of 6  Adopted Ms. Shamieh asked the Commissioners to think about replacement candidates, adding that it would be nice to add another female Commissioner as Commissioner Yager will now be the only woman on the Commission. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Craven, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2018 –Page 6 of 6