Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes December 20, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 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 speak 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; Frank Gilmore; Christopher Marney STAFF: Avi Epstein, Zoning Officer, Principal Planner; Jennifer Mills, Secretary ABSENT: Dr. Dean Bennett III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve the November 19, 2018 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Wiles absent from the vote. V. NEW BUSINESS - APPLICATIONS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Robert Woods to install aluminum clad windows on the eastern facing façade. The premises are located at 32 Front Street in the Stockade Historic District. Robert Woods appeared before the Commission. Mr. Woods explained that he has already installed the seven aluminum-clad windows without a permit because he believed that they probably would not have been approved by the Commission. He stated that he previously served on the Historic District Commission, that he is an architect, and that he has renovated many historic buildings over the past 30 years. Mr. Woods stated that last year he had spoken with city staff and was given the impression that the windows would Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2018 –Page 1 of 4 not be approved, but he decided to install them anyway as he had done extensive research and believed that they would be the best available product for this application. He noted that new wood windows are made with new-growth wood which does not last nearly as long as the old-growth wood formerly used, and that this location is unique because the building wall is out of plumb and stormwater often runs down or splashes against the building. Mr. Woods stated that he should have known better and by installing the windows did not mean to show any disrespect to the Commission. He noted that windows of this type would most likely be approved by the Historic District Commissions in other municipalities, because they use a different hierarchal system of evaluation. Commissioner Yager asked Mr. Woods if he knows when the additions were added to the home. Mr. Woods stated that the middle was added around 1810 and the last addition around 1910. He noted that the windows were beyond salvaging, and that there was no way they could have been repaired. Commissioner Marney asked if he had any photos of the windows that were removed. Mr. Woods stated that he did not. He added that the previous owner of the building had limited resources and under her ownership the house had fallen into severe disrepair. Commissioner Marney asked Mr. Woods for confirmation that what he stated was that he had been on the HDC, he did not believe that he windows would be approved, and yet he went ahead and installed them because they were what he wanted. Mr. Woods confirmed that this is true. Mr. Woods added that this and many of the other buildings he has restored have been severely distressed and swift and decisive action has been required to save them. Commissioner Marney asked what Mr. Woods intentions are regarding the siding replacement. Mr. Woods stated that he plans to restore the siding with hardie board and PVC trim. He added that the siding was previously approved by the Commission, including the colors, and that he plans to eventually replace all the novelty siding, which he believes dates to 1910, with the hardie board. Commissioner Andriano asked if the hardie board siding has a visible grain. Mr. Woods stated that it does. Commissioner Gilmore commented that Julian Adams of SHPO has spoken positively about using new synthetic materials if they are used correctly and are aesthetically acceptable as historically appropriate, as they often last longer than more traditional materials. Commissioner Yager asked if the PVC material is solid. Mr. Woods stated that it is, adding that it is sandable and paintable and acts like wood. Mr. Woods noted that there were three additional windows that he had replaced three years ago without a permit which he would like to add to this application. Commissioner Marney asked why he had done this. Mr. Woods stated that the building was in extreme distress and that he had limited time to correct the situation, given his personal work schedule and the approval process of the City. He explained that he had been in a dispute with the former Building Inspector Eric Schilling over an easement between their properties, and that when the dispute Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2018 –Page 2 of 4 became contentious, he had decided not to go to the City for building permits because he believed that Mr. Shilling would be prejudiced against him. Commissioner Marney asked Mr. Woods if he had a sample of the siding and trim color. Mr. Woods stated that he did not and added that it had previously been approved in 2009 and should be in the file. Zoning Officer Epstein stated that he did not find a sample in the file. Mr. Woods asked if he was being penalized. Commissioner Marney explained that it is stated on the application that color samples should be submitted by applicants. Mr. Woods distributed detailed cut sheets of the windows to the Commissioners. Commissioner Yager asked if the window openings had been altered in any way. Mr. Woods stated that they had not. Commissioner Andriano asked why Mr. Woods had chosen hardie board over wood siding. Mr. Woods stated that new wood clapboard does not last. He noted that several years ago he replaced the roof rake with new wood and it has already been partially destroyed by carpenter bees. Commissioner Andriano asked if part of the siding will be wood and part will be the hardie board. Mr. Woods responded that if allowed he would eventually like to replace all the siding with hardie board except the front façade. Commissioner Marney stated that the windows are consistent with what the Commission has allowed in the past in certain cases, as is the hardie board siding. He added that he believes that Mr. Woods should provide a cut sheet of the siding and the color chips, as well as information on the specific PVC material. Mr. Woods stated that he would like to add to the application eventually replacing the roof rake with aluminum-clad material, replacing all the windows on the driveway side of the house except the attic window, and installing a fiberglass door. He noted that all of the new windows will be in the same openings and will match the existing divided light configurations. Commissioner Marney asked Mr. Woods to indicate on the façade drawing exactly which windows he is seeking approval for. Mr. Woods did so. Commissioner Andriano stated that he thinks it is unfortunate that the building will have several different types of siding. Mr. Woods stated that the building was built over several different time periods, but the overall look will be harmonious. Commissioner Wiles asked why Mr. Woods would not consider repairing the wood siding. Mr. Woods stated that it is not original and in some places is in severe disrepair. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTIONS Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to approve the application as amended to include the installation of twelve aluminum-clad Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2018 –Page 3 of 4  windows, as shown on the cut sheets submitted by the applicant. The windows are located as indicated on the drawing submitted by the applicant at the meeting. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve the installation of 4 ½” hardie board siding and PVC trim as described in the application. Motion failed, with Commissioner Gilmore in favor and Commissioners Yager, Wiles, Andriano, and Marney opposed. Mr. Woods stated that he would like it noted for the record that he received a violation notice on a Friday and had to prepare his application for submittal by the deadline on the following Monday. VII. OTHER BUSINESS Zoning Officer Epstein explained that he had met with Commissioners Yager, Andriano, and Marney earlier in the week and they had drafted a timeline for work on the Historic District Design Guidelines, which he then distributed to the Commissioners. The Commissioners briefly discussed the document and it was decided that as progress moves forward the Commissioners will regularly have opportunities for discussing and revising the guidelines as a working document. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2018 –Page 4 of 4