Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes October 22, 2020 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:00 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; Matt Smith, Senior Planner; Jennifer Mills, Secretary III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Andriano, to approve the September 24, 2020 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Gilmore absent from the vote. V. APPLICATIONS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Rebecca Stern to replace the side entry stairs. The premises are located at 140 Front Street in the Stockade Historic District. Rebecca Stern presented the application. Ms. Stern briefly reviewed the application and explained that because the existing concrete steps are sinking into the ground, she is concerned that they might damage the foundation of the house. She stated that she had looked into the option of raising the existing steps but the cost of doing so is prohibitive. The Commissioners briefly discussed the design of the wooden steps and concluded that they would have no objection to them, as the style of the proposed steps and porch is historically accurate to the house. It was determined that the porch and steps will be painted to match the existing color scheme on the building. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes October 22, 2020 –Page 1 of 3  The Commissioners and applicant next discussed the proposed replacement of the sidewalk. Commissioner Gilmore explained that if Ms. Stern chooses to install the concrete so that it will resemble the original blue stone there are several steps that may be taken to do so, including tinting the concrete after pouring it, making the concrete sections irregular in size, and not using an edger on the surface. He noted that there are also concrete rollers available that can give the finish of the concrete the irregular texture that bluestone would have. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RESOLUTION Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to approve as submitted the application to replace the side entry stairs and a portion of the sidewalk with the following conditions: 1. The project will be completed within one year. 2. The porch and steps will be painted to match the existing color scheme of the house. 3. As discussed at the meeting, the gap between the stringer and the ground will be filled with a 2x4 border. 4. At the applicant’s discretion the portion of the sidewalk may be replaced with traditional concrete sidewalk or the faux bluestone technique discussed at the meeting. And with the following findings of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The Commission finds that the proposed wood porch and stairs is a style that is historically appropriate for the building. Motion carried unanimously. VI. MISCELLANEOUS Commissioner Yager read for the Commissioners the notification that she received from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) informing the Commission that the George Washington Carver Community Center has been placed on the State Register of Historic Places and that SHPO has forwarded the nomination on to the Keeper of the National Register for consideration. The Commissioners discussed the draft letter to the City Council that Commissioner Marney composed regarding proposed cuts in the City Budget affecting the Code Enforcement Office. The Commissioners expressed their support of the letter. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes October 22, 2020 –Page 2 of 3  MOTION Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to finalize and send the letter presented at the meeting to the City Council from the Historic District Commission. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Smith stated that he is working to have a Code Enforcement Officer designated by Chris Lunn, City Building Inspector, assigned to work on Zoning Code violations. He explained that since the former City Zoning Officer has taken on a new role within the administration it is technically no longer his role to issue this type of violation. Mr. Smith stated that he will keep the Commissioners informed as things move forward. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wiles, seconded by Commissioner Gilmore, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes October 22, 2020 –Page 3 of 3