Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes October 25, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Commissioner Bennett noted that a majority of four votes of the seven-member Commission is necessary to approve an application. He explained to the public present that because there were only four Commissioners present at the meeting, all of them would have to vote in favor of the application. He stated that if at any time during the discussion of a proposal the applicant decided that he or she would like to have more Commissioners present to review it they may request that the application be tabled until a future meeting. Commissioner Yager explained that during the meeting each applicant will have an opportunity to present their proposal, followed by comments from anyone in the public who would like to comment on the application, and then the Commissioners will discuss the proposal and ask the applicant for further information or clarification as necessary. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Patricia Yager, Chair; Ben Wiles, Vice Chair; Shaun Andriano; Dr. Dean Bennett EXCUSED: Christopher Marney ABSENT: Frank Gilmore STAFF: Avi Epstein, Zoning Officer; Jennifer Mills, Secretary III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve the September 27, 2018 Meeting Minutes with the following amendment offered by Commissioner Yager: 1. New Business – Applications Item G – Application submitted by Simon’s Rock, Inc. The term “triple pane” window will be struck and replaced with “triple light”. Motion carried unanimously. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 1 of 7 V. NEW BUSINESS - APPLICATIONS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Mary Ruggiero to (a) paint shutters in Lancaster Whitewash from Benjamin Moore and to (b) repaint front door in Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. The premises are located at 1189 Lowell Road in the G.E. Realty Plot Historic District. Mary Ruggiero appeared before the Commission. Ms. Ruggiero explained that although her application was on the agenda to be considered at the September 2018 meeting she had left the meeting early due to an illness in the family. She noted that since that time she changed her mind about the original colors submitted. Ms. Ruggiero stated that she had decided to paint the black shutters after she discovered, by examining some chipped areas on them, that they had previously been painted green. She explained that she then chose an off- white trim color and a gray front door color to complement the shutters. She noted that the body of the house is stucco and the previous owner had painted the trim white, which she feels looks dull and tends to look dirty very quickly. Ms. Ruggiero passed around paint chips of the proposed colors: Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue (HC-142) for the shutters, Monterey White (HC-27) for the trim, and Charcoal Slate (HC-178) for the front door. The Commissioners indicated that they had no objection to the proposed colors. Ms. Ruggiero stated that if allowed she would like to remove the front storm door, as it is in disrepair and was not original to the home. She noted that she was told by the previous owner that at one time there had been a screen for the door, but it no longer exists. Commissioner Wiles stated that the Commission would have to approve the removal of the storm door, so if her plan is to do so she should add it to the application at this time. Ms. Ruggiero stated that she would prefer to remove the storm door now and transfer the existing house numbers and brass kickplate to the front entrance door behind it. The Commissioners indicated that they had no objection to removing the door. Commissioner Wiles noted that the approval to remove the door is valid for one year; if the door is not removed within that time and then sometime in the future Ms. Ruggiero wishes to remove it she would have to return to the Commission for another approval. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Andriano, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to approve as submitted the application to pain the shutters, trim, and front entrance door, with the following modifications and conditions: 1. The project will be completed within one year. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 2 of 7  2. The paint colors submitted at the meeting are approved. The shutters will be painted Benjamin Moore HC-142 Stratton Blue, the trim will be painted Benjamin Moore HC-27 Monterey White, and the front entry door will be painted Benjamin Moore HC-178 Charcoal Slate. 3. The applicant may remove the front storm door which was not original to the house and was added at a later, undetermined, date. 4. The applicant may relocate the existing house numbers and brass kick plate from the current storm door to the front entry door. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously. B. Consideration for approval submitted by Jacqueline Dominski to replace existing fence with a red gate and fence. The premises are located at 138 North Street in the Stockade Historic District. Paul Gonsowski appeared before the Commission on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Gonsowski explained that the existing chain link fence is in disrepair. He stated that Ms. Dominski would like to replace it with a stockade fence and gate, which is more in keeping with other fences in the neighborhood. Mr. Gonsowski distributed samples of the proposed Navajo Red stain on wood samples of the fence and presented a portion of the fence and one of the proposed gate hinges. Commissioner Andriano asked if they had given any thought to pushing back the fence. Mr. Gonsowski stated that they had not, because they plan to use the existing concrete footings that are already in place for the existing fence. Commissioner Yager noted that it is not within the purview of the Commission to determine where property lines are. Mr. Gonsowski passed around a copy of the plot plan, showing that the fence is behind the property line. Commissioner Yager asked if the stain will be opaque. Mr. Gonsowski stated that it will be. Commissioner Bennet stated that the fence and gate look to be both historically appropriate and appropriate for the surrounding neighborhood. The Commissioners agreed. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve as submitted the application to replace the existing fence with a new red-stained stockade fence and matching gate, with the following modifications and conditions: Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 3 of 7  1. The project will be completed within one year. 2. The applicant will replace the existing fence with the stockade fence and matching gate presented at the meeting. The fence will be stained with Lowe’s solid stain in Navajo Red. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously. C. Consideration for approval submitted by Rebecca Cleary to install an aluminum sign on the northern façade of the building. The premises are located at 234 Union Street in the Stockade Historic District. Rebecca Cleary appeared before the Commission. Ms. Cleary explained that she would like to put the sign for her hair salon on the building, attaching it to the same places in the masonry as were used with the previous owner’s sign. She stated that the sign will be 1’ x 1’ aluminum and will hang from a bracket. Commissioner Yager asked if Ms. Cleary knows how heavy the sign will be. Ms. Cleary responded that she does not, as the sign has not been fabricated yet. Commissioner Andriano stated that an aluminum sign of this size will not be very heavy. He asked Ms. Cleary is the sign will have raised lettering or if it will be flat. She replied that it will be flat. Commissioner Bennett stated that he has no objection to the sign if it is not requiring any new holes in the masonry. The Commissioners concurred. Commissioner Yager asked the Commissioners if they would be comfortable with allowing staff to approve the bracket design. The Commissioners indicated that they would be. Commissioner Yager noted that although the content of the sign is not under the purview of the Commission she is pleased that the bright colors used will be consistent with those that might have been used on a historical porcelain sign. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve as submitted the application to install an aluminum sign on the northern façade of the building, with the following modifications and conditions: 1. The project will be completed within one year. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 4 of 7  2. The 1’ x 1’ square sign will be installed using the same bolts as the previous sign on the building. No new holes will be made in the masonry. 3. The bracket used to mount the sign to the building will be submitted to City staff for approval prior to the installation of the sign. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously. D. Consideration for approval submitted by Christine Galvin to extend the chimney above the roof line. The premises are located at 11 North Ferry Street in the Stockade Historic District. Because the applicant was not present at the meeting, and because further information is needed from the applicant to evaluate the application, the Commissioners decided to table the application. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Yager, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to table the application. Motion carried unanimously. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects to (a) construct a roof addition and metal railings and to (b) install screening around 2 condenser units. All elements to be painted in (c) Bahama Brown by Marvin Windows and Doors. The premises are located at 8 North Church Street in the Stockade Historic District. Sarah Raymond of Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects and Brandon Stabler, representing the church, appeared before the Commission. Prior to the beginning of the discussion Commissioner Bennett noted that he is currently under consideration for tenure at Schenectady County Community College and the senior pastor of the church is on the board at the College. He stated that he does not believe that this is a conflict of interest but thought that he should disclose it. Zoning Officer Epstein stated that whether to recuse himself is his decision. He noted that at a recent training for the other City boards conflicts of interest were discussed, and it was the opinion of the attorney present that if there even appears to be a question of a conflict one should consider recusing himself. Commissioner Bennett stated that he feels free to vote with his conscience and does not believe that if he voted against a proposal from the church the pastor would seek to punish him in any way relating to his tenure. Commissioner Wiles noted Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 5 of 7 that the appearance of impropriety could also be conceived from the opposite perspective, i.e. if he were to vote to approve the proposal someone could suggest that it was only because he did not want to vote against the church’s interest. He suggested that Commissioner Bennett think about it and noted that he could recuse himself at any time before the vote if he felt it necessary. Ms. Raymond stated that since the church renovation project originally received approval from the Commission over a year ago a problem with drainage at the bottom of the exterior stairwell has since come to their attention and needs to be addressed. She explained that during an exceptionally rainy period this past summer the drain at the bottom of the stairwell failed to keep up with the water and the church basement was flooded. She stated that for this reason they are proposing to add a roof over the stairway so that the bottom of the stairwell will be shielded from most of the water. Mr. Stabler noted that the roof will use the same materials and colors as were used elsewhere on the building, including the copper flashing and gutters. Ms. Raymond stated that they would also like add some wood screening to shield the view of the HVAC units from the public right of way. She noted that the wood would be painted a custom color mixed to match the existing Bahama Brown used on the doors and windows on the building. Commissioner Yager asked if the roof will be fastened to the brick façade. Ms. Raymond stated that it will be. Commissioner Andriano asked if the framing of the rood structure will also be painted brown. Ms. Raymond stated that it will be, as will the sheathing underneath the roof. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. Seeing no one from the public who wished to speak Commissioner Yager directed the Commissioners to continue the discussion. Commissioner Andriano stated that the roof will look tacked on, particularly because it will be across the two windows, but that he understands that this would be the only viable location for it and that it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of any further flooding and water damage. Commissioner Yager asked Ms. Raymond if they are concerned that melting snow on the roof could back up and leak through the windows. Ms. Raymond replied that the pitch of the roof will be such that any water will drain away from the building and into the gutters. Commissioner Yager asked the Commissioners if they have any objection to the wood screening of the condenser units. The Commissioners indicated that they did not. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Andriano, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to approve as submitted the application to construct a roof addition, install wood screening around 2 condenser units, and paint all elements in Bahama Brown by Marvin Windows and Doors, with the following condition: Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 6 of 7  1. The project will be completed within one year. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously. VII. OTHER BUSINESS The Commissioners and staff discussed the “Draft Application Review Process for Use by Chair” document that Zoning Officer Epstein had distributed for their feedback. Staff will incorporate the Commissioners’ comments and revise the document accordingly. Commissioner Bennett asked if staff could draft a simple script for making motions that the Commissioners could use as a guideline during the meeting. Mr. Epstein stated that he will draft a sample for the Commissioners’ consideration. Mr. Epstein asked the Commissioners to let him know of any information they think would be a useful addition to the City website. He stated that revisions to the site are ongoing. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2018 –Page 7 of 7