Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes November 17, 20221 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Patricia Yager, Chair; Dr. Dean Bennett; Shaun Andriano; Joe Fava; Richard Unger; Matt Smith, Senior Planner; Austin Erickson, Assistant Planner, Chris Marney, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Sylvia Jimison, Development Staff VIRTURAL: Zakhar Berkovich ABSENT: Shaun Andriano EXCUSED: Shaun Andriano III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES October 27, 2022, minutes to be corrected with the following: Item A was omitted from the VIII Miscellaneous and the motion for the project. Commissioner Unger made a motion that minutes of October 27, 2022, of the Schenectady Historic District Commission to be approved subject to noting that item B of the regular agenda be recorded as having been the motion and approved unanimously. And that for the record, be noted that item A under miscellaneous was inadvertently omitted; for Item B, under miscellaneous be recorded as item B, as opposed to Item A. Agenda October 27, 2022, for items A and B: IV. Miscellaneous A. Consideration submitted by Schenectady Heritage Foundation to recommend the alteration of the OH Overlay Historic District to include this property. The premises is located on the General Electric Co. campus at 1 River Rd. and is known as “Building 37”. B. Consideration submitted by Schenectady Heritage Foundation to recommend the alteration of the OH Overlay Historic District to include this property. The premises is located at 302 State St. and is known as the “Masonic Temple”. V. Call for Members of Public to Speak on Agenda Items VI. Application A. Consideration for approval submitted by Spencer Napolitano to install fencing and landscaping. The premises is located at 713 Union St. in the Union Street Historic District. Mr. Spencer Napolitano appeared before the commission to give a 6 month update to his project for installing a fence and landscaping at 713 Union Street. He stated the tenants are no longer at the building and the building has been cleared out. He is trying to meet the 6 months fence proposal and said that it will be an extensive project. If the existing fence would be replicated it would be in bronze and would be no less than $75,000.00. The fence will be bronze fencing and he want to extend fencing to Seward side to have them both match. He has sought opinion from Armondo & Son’s General Welding. Mr. Napolitano provided pictures of a plain fence with circles and provided a second option to Matt Smith of stick style fence. It was recommended for him to use flat top rail in high traffic area because people might put trash on them. Also, having a point on top is a liability. Commissioner Yager asked if any other comments from the Commissioners. She also asked Mr. Napolitano if he had searched the internet and that it’s important to preserve parts of the fence. The applicant said the pieces are badly rusted. Commissioner Yager wanted to know any of the fence could be saved for later use. She said it was important to preserve parts of the fence. Commissioner Yager invited Ms. Gloria Kishton, from the Schenectady Heritage Foundation to give comments about the proposed fence. Ms. Kishton suggested setting up a meeting with the neighbor, the Walker family to discuss if they could possibly use parts of the fence to retore their fence. The Heritage Foundation would set-up the meeting about the fence. She also stated a simple fence with a flat top should be used and not to use something with circles because its not accurate for historical architect. She suggested seeing Avon and Douglas Streets for a fence located there on Lenox Street. Ms. Kishton also said the applicant should consult with their architect to advise them. Lastly, she wanted to know if there would be specifications be provided for the fence such as height of fence, site plan, and weight of metal. The Commission stated that information had been provided. Commissioner Fava stated something should be created with the old fencing or to store it. To use fencing help the neighbor next door; or to keep some to fix fence. Commissioner Unger stated the fence could be recycled- save some parts and reuse some parts. Dr. Bennet did not feel the fence was worth saving and the fence is a loss at this point. RESOLUTION Commissioner Dr. Bennett made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Unger to approve the application with the following conditions: • Motion to replace fence in year 2024 • Approve fence without the circles • Size: 4 feet tall and 6 feet section • Color: Steel/powder blue black • Provide location/site plan • Recommended to meet with neighbor to use salvage fencing And with the following finding of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The Commissioners cited Preservation Standards #2, #5 and #6 as the guidelines for their approval as the application did meet these standards. Motion carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous A. Public comments on the draft “Design Guidelines for the City of Schenectady: Local Historic District and Landmarks” previously presented by Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Mary Werner of 1155 Stratford Rd came before the commission to give feedback about the Design Guidelines for the City of Schenectady. She thanked the commission for the opportunity to speak. She thinks it's more important for preservation of trees, in the historic districts because they contribute to the overall character and the history of nature, but also for the ecological balance and social health and also provides solutions to climate change. She would like to emphasize although that she feels this is an important first step. She stated that she would like the commission to urge the Development Department to follow through on recommendations, a report that was recently released by them is a pre-management plan. Recommendations to establish a tree Council for the city to update the city's tree plan and to hire either an arborist or a forester on staff. She wants requirements in place for a statement from a certified arborist. Further, procedures for property owners, to address tree removal without approval. Lastly, she looks forward to sharing the final document with her neighbors, and a new era of tree Preservation, not just in historic districts, but in the city as well. Ms. Gloria Kishton came before the commission and stated 3 people from Heritage Foundation, reviewed the draft document, and one of their board members, teaches at the college level. She reviewed the architectural style section. The board member had several items that she disagreed with the consultants about. Ms. Kishton said the board members reviewed the document page by page and noted comments. It was labor intensive reviewing the draft of the guide. Ms. Kishton wanted to know how certain things would be resolved. What comments will be consolidated? Will there be a second draft? Matt Smith said Austin Erickson, new Assistant City Planner, will be reviewing draft and will make grammatical changes. He will work with staff and consultants to select which public comments will be included. Overall, Ms. Kishton stated overall the draft of the guide was a “good job!” Commissioner Yager asked if there were any other comments from the public about draft of the guide and there were no other comments. Commissioner Unger wanted to know that once the guidelines are completed, if one wants to add another photo, a living document, can changes be made? Attorney Marney stated, is up to the board. Dr. Bennett said not a pdf file, but the original file should be used. Commissioner Unger had some concerns about the consent agenda and if the applicant should reappear for the consent agenda. He also said he like amendments for the codes. VIII. Motion by Commissioner Unger, seconded by Commissioner Fava to adjourn at 8:19 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.