Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2021 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; Christopher Marney; Matt Smith, Senior Planner; Jennifer Mills, Secretary ABSENT: Frank Gilmore III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to approve the January 28, 2021 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. V. CALL FOR MEMBERS OF PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS None. VI. APPLICATIONS A. Consideration for approval submitted by Maureen Van Deusen to paint the exterior of the property and repair the porch, including new handrails, roof shingles, and columns. The premises are located at 1348 Union Street in the Union Street Historic District. Ben DeAngelis presented the application on behalf of his wife. Mr. DeAngelis explained that he and his wife have recently purchased the property and would like to begin to make some much-needed repairs to the exterior of the home. He briefly reviewed the application and pointed out the areas where there had been significant water damage to the structure. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2021 –Page 1 of 4  The Commissioners discussed the proposed replacement fiberglass columns and noted that the Commission has not approved fiberglass in the past. Commissioner Yager commented that although Mr. DeAngelis had stated that wood columns would be prohibitively expensive, in her research she had priced wood columns that would be comparable in price to the proposed fiberglass. Commissioner Marney noted that although one of the bases of the existing columns appears to be beyond repair the applicants had not offered significant evidence that all of the columns must be replaced. He explained that the guidelines that the Commission follows require that items that can be repaired should be, and only if they cannot be salvaged should replacement become an option. Mr. DeAngelis noted that some of the columns can be restored. The Commissioners also discussed the proposed railing and exterior paint colors and requested that Mr. DeAngelis submit further information when he has a more complete proposal, as the exact design and colors have not been decided upon at this time. Commissioner Marney noted that any in-kind replacement of current materials, such as the shake shingles or roof shingles, may be approved by staff. It was determined that the application should be tabled pending the submittal of further details regarding the proposal. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Wiles, to table the application pending the applicant’s submittal of further information including the following items: 1. The proposed exterior paint colors. 2. The current state of repair of the porch columns and more information regarding the proposed replacement columns. 3. The proposed design of the new porch rail. Motion carried unanimously. B. Consideration for approval submitted by Colin Ridgeway to construct a garage. The premises are located at 1164 Wendell Avenue in the GE Plot Historic District. Colin Ridgeway presented the application. Mr. Ridgeway briefly reviewed the application and explained that he and his wife had recently purchased the property and would like to build a garage on the portion of the property where one formerly stood. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and debated whether or not the design of the garage should closely match that of the house or whether it could be designed so as to clearly appear to be a structure that was added at a later time. They also discussed the proposed pitch of the roof and layout of the bricks. It was Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2021 –Page 2 of 4  determined that the applicant should return to the Commission with further information regarding the design details of the garage, including the proposed door, which the Commissioners suggested should not be a faux wood steel door but rather a simple steel design, and the layout of the proposed brick. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, to table the application pending the submittal of further information including the following items: 1. The style and paint color of the garage door. 2. A rendering of the proposed brickwork on the front of the garage. Motion failed, with Commissioner Wiles opposed and Commissioner Andriano absent from the vote. C. Consideration for approval submitted by Franca DiCrescenzo to replace an exterior wall. The premises are located at 22 N. Church Street in the Stockade Historic District. Franca DiCrescenzo presented the application. Ms. DiCrescenzo briefly reviewed the application and explained that the brick wall surrounding a portion of her property is in immediate danger of collapsing and she feels that it must be repaired very soon. She stated that she believes that the construction and heavy vehicles in the Stockade have contributed to the deterioration of the wall. The Commissioners discussed the proposal for rebuilding the wall. It was decided that they would need further information regarding the current state of the wall, including written evidence from an experienced mason that it is beyond repair. The applicant expressed concern that the wall is in imminent danger of falling into the sidewalk. The Commissioners encouraged her to put temporary supports in place if she believes that this is the case. MOTION TO TABLE Motion by Commissioner Marney, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, to table the application pending the submittal of further information including the following items: 1. The current state of disrepair of the wall, including a written statement from an experienced mason stating that it is beyond restoration. 2. A detailed plan of any proposed new construction, including a sample of the color and size of the proposed brick and layout. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2021 –Page 3 of 4  Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Andriano absent from the vote. VII. MISCELLANEOUS None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Marney, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Andriano absent from the vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2021 –Page 4 of 4