Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Due to the closure of City Hall because of the Covid-19 Virus, the meeting was conducted online via WebEx. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Patricia Yager, Chair; Ben Wiles, Vice Chair; Shaun Andriano; Dr. Dean Bennett; Frank Gilmore; Christopher Marney; Avi Epstein, Neighborhood Stabilization Coordinator; Matt Smith, Senior Planner; Jennifer Mills, Secretary III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Commissioners Marney and Yager stated for the record that they are members of the Schenectady County Historical Society, although their membership does not present any conflict of interest in the consideration of Item C. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve the August 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioners Bennett and Gilmore absent from the vote. V. APPLICATIONS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Krishna Govindarajan to replace the roof. The premises are located at 1121 Adams Road in the GE Realty Plot Historic District. Krishna Govindarajan presented the application. Mr. Govindarajan explained that the roof, which is currently covered with three-tab shingles, has deteriorated significantly and needs to be replaced. He stated that his roofing contractor had suggested the Owens Corning TruDefinition® Duration® shingles because the shingles currently on the roof are no longer available. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 –Page 1 of 6  The Commissioners indicated that they have no objection to the use of the proposed shingles in the Estate Gray shade. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Marney, to approve as submitted the application to replace the existing roof with Owens Corning TruDefinition® Duration® shingles in Estate Gray with the following conditions: 1. The project will be completed within one year. 2. The flashing and drip edge will be replaced in kind. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The existing roof consists of three-tab shingles. No historic material exists on the roof nor will any historically significant features be affected or removed. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioners Bennett and Gilmore absent from the vote. B. Consideration for approval submitted by Sarabjeet Singh to install a fence. The premises are located at 134 N. College Street in the Stockade Historic District. Sarabjeet Singh presented the application, assisted by his daughter. Mr. Singh explained that he would like to enclose the rear yard of the building with fencing because it is a corner lot and there are often people trespassing on the property. He stated that he would prefer to use a chain link fence with vinyl privacy slats. The Commissioners indicated that they would not approve a chain link fence with vinyl slats because these materials are not historically appropriate. The wood stockade fence was agreed upon, but questions arose regarding the design of the fence and gates, as well as the viability of the rear entrance to the property as it is not clear whether there is a sufficient curb cut in that location. The Commissioners and applicant agreed to table the proposal pending the submission of further information, including the details of the design of the fence and proposed gates, the details of the gate hardware, and the opinion of the City Engineering Department regarding the rear entrance to the property. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 –Page 2 of 6  PUBLIC COMMENTS None. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to table the application as incomplete, pending the submittal of the following additional information: 1. A detailed cut sheet or brochure of the proposed wood stockade fence, indicating its dimensions, design, and materials. 2. The proposed finishing treatment and color of the fence. 3. Drawings of the two proposed wood gates, including details of the proposed hardware. 4. The applicant will consult with the City Engineering Department regarding the curb cut at the rear of the property where he is proposing adding a gate and driveway. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Bennett absent from the vote. C. Consideration for approval submitted by Schenectady County Historical Society to replace the roof. The premises are located at 14 N. Church Street in the Stockade Historic District. Mary Zawacki, Executive Director of the Schenectady County Historical Society, Mark Vermilyea, Board Member of the Society, and Alex Sushchik, the roofing contractor for the project, presented the application. Ms. Zawacki explained that the existing slate roof on the building is not original the house but was added sometime in the 1970’s. She stated that it was installed over many layers of previous shingles and underlayment and provided photos of the layers. The Commissioners discussed the building, which dates to 1735, and concluded that the original roofing material was almost certainly wood shakes, which resemble the proposed shingles more closely than slate does. The applicant and Commissioners discussed the color of the proposed shingles and it was decided that the color be changed to the Weathered Stone choice, which will more closely match the color of the original wood roof than the color specified in the application. The applicant stated that they had chosen the proposed color because they believed it most closely matched the existing slate. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTION Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 –Page 3 of 6  Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to approve as submitted the application to replace the roof with IKO Armourshake shingles in Weathered Stone, with the following condition: 1. The project will be completed within one year. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. Although the roof is a significant architectural feature of the building, it is very hard to see from the public right of way unless the viewer is across the street. 3. The applicant has shown significant evidence, through photos and testimony of a roofing contractor, that the existing slate roof is beyond repair. 4. The existing slate roof was added to the building, over several layers of old shingles, sometime during the 1970’s. Because the building dates to approximately 1735 it clearly did not originally have a slate roof, but most likely a wood shake roof. The approved shingles appear more similar in style and color to what might have been the original roof material than the existing slates do. Motion carried unanimously. D. Consideration for approval submitted by Ron Gardner to modify the approved entry stairs and doors. The premises are located at 308 Green Street in the Stockade Historic District. Ron Gardner presented the application. Mr. Gardner reviewed his proposal, stating that he would like to rebuild the porches and add the door surrounds to match the drawing provided in his application dated June 15, 2020. He stated that he plans to replace the steel doors with solid wood but has not yet been able to locate appropriate doors. He also reviewed the proposed aluminum fence design and explained where it will be installed on the property. After some discussion of the application the Commissioners decided that they would be amenable to Mr. Gardner’s proposal for the porches and door surrounds, but would like to review the doors and hardware, the paint color for the porch, and the design and placement of the exterior lights prior to the installation of these elements. It was decided that Mr. Gardner would submit the details of these items once they have been determined. PUBLIC COMMENTS Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 –Page 4 of 6  None. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to approve as submitted the application to modify the approved entry stairs and doors, with the following conditions: 1. The project will be completed within one year. 2. The porches and stairs will be rebuilt to match the specifications and drawing from Attachment #1 of the applicant’s proposal dated June 15, 2020. The porch design, including the spindles, decking, posts, caps, rim joists, and lattice shown in the drawing are approved as submitted. 3. The door surrounds will be replaced to match the drawing submitted on June 15, 2020. 4. The east side yard of the property will be graded, and the retaining wall will be replaced and parged. 5. The front foundation wall will be parged. 6. The aluminum fence in the powder coat black finish is approved as submitted. 7. The two front doors, door hardware, porch paint color, and lighting plan are not a part of this approval. The applicant will submit photos of the chosen doors and hardware, the porch paint color, and a lighting plan showing the location and design of the proposed lights, for further consideration before installing the doors and lighting or painting the porches. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Motion carried unanimously. VI. MISCELLANEOUS The Commissioners and staff continued their discussion about the removal of the concrete wall at the First Unitarian Church on Wendell Avenue. Commissioner Yager provided information about the history of the building’s design and its significance to the organization’s mission. Staff will continue to follow up and keep the Commission informed as to any changes on the site or news of the Church’s plans for replacement of the wall. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 –Page 5 of 6 The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020 –Page 6 of 6