Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes December 22, 2022 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Patricia Yager, Chair; Joe Fava, Dr. Dean Bennett; Shaun Andriano; Richard Unger; Zakhar Berkovich; Austin Erickson, Assistant Planner; Christopher Marney, City Counsel, and Sylvia Jimison, Development Staff III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MEETINGS A. October 27, 2022 Minutes Motion by Unger and seconded by Commissioner Fava, to approve the Minutes as amended for the October 27th, 2022 meeting. November 27, 2022 Minutes B. Commissioner Berkovich stated corrections needed for November 17, 2022 Minutes. Ms. Werner reached out to him to make corrections to the Minutes. He would forward the needed corrections to Austin Erickson to amend the Minutes. Commissioner Unger motioned to amend November 17th Minutes and seconded by Commissioner Fava to amend Minutes as presented with Ms. Mary Werner’s public comments – Commissioner Shaun Andriano abstained from motion to amend and adopt November 17th meeting Minutes. He was absent for November 17, 2022 HDC meeting. V. Call for Members of Public to Speak on Agenda Items VI. Applications A. Consideration for approval submitted by Francis & Nancy Landry to install fencing and landscaping. The premises is located at 123 N. Ferry St in the RH-2 Stockade Historic Residential District. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes December 22, 2022 –Page 1 of 4  Mr. Francis Landry stated that he replaced the chain link fence with an aluminum fence, because the fence that was there had deteriorated. He sent a package to Matt Smith, with description of the fence. They put in a brick sidewalk that was previously concrete slabs. They buried the slabs beneath the brick sidewalk. Commissioner Yager asked if there were any questions from the commissioners. Commissioner Fava asked the applicant how long they had owned the property. The applicant responded, since 2012, after the flooding. Commissioner Fava said he was curious as to how long the applicant had owned the property because many people have stated that they did not know changes to historical properties needed to come before the commission. Commissioner Dr. Bennett said there had been a previous application for changes, regarding this property. The applicant said they didn’t think they were doing anything wrong. They didn’t do anything out of character for the property and looked at a house on N Ferry Street. The fence is similar to what was put in at the pump station. They received a Code Violation on the door and no ticket, it just said they had received a violation. Commissioner Unger said he does not have any problems with application as submitted. He asked applicant if they went to the city to get permits. He went on to say, every city in the country requires permits. When in doubt, ask. The worst that could happen, you would need a permit. If you had come here in advance of installing the fence, perhaps the commission would have approved it, but you installed the fence before asking permission. The applicant responded, from their standpoint, they removed a rusty fence and replaced it with a new fence that was matching the pump station. The Commissioner stated, it’s the kind of material that is being used that needs approval. Commissioner Fava, asked the applicants, when they purchased the property, was there any discussion at all with a realtor about the historic nature of the neighborhood. The applicant said he purchased the property as an estate, and a realtor was not involved. Commissioner Yager asked if Commissioners had concerns about the concrete sidewalk being replaced with brick. The Commissioners responded that they preferred the brick. The applicant said the brick walkway is a little higher than the original which had settled from the flood. Attorney Marney reminded the applicant to call the Building Department for permit and encouraged applicant to see if a permit is needed for the sidewalk. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve installation of the fence and the improvements to the property but must go to Building Department. Commissioner Dr. Bennet seconded the motion. And with the following finding of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes December 22, 2022 –Page 2 of 4  2. The Commissioners cited Preservation Standards #2 and #5 as the guidelines for their decision. Motion carried unanimously. Consideration for approval submitted by Rebecca Stern to replace the roof. The premises is located at 140 Front St in the RH-2 Stockade Historic District. ` The applicant, Ms. Rebecca Stern did not appear before the commission. Austin Erickson said he reached out to the applicant but did not get a response. The application was not complete. Commissioner Unger stated if the same material and same color to approve subject to these items. Commissioner Yager stated, should it be stated if the roof is leaking? Commissioner Andriano said it doesn’t take away the character and just replacing roof with same material and same color- it should be consistent. RESOLUTION Commissioner Andriano made a motion to accept the application with the following conditions and provisions prior to receiving a permit from the city, seconded by Commissioner Yager, that prior to approval of the application that the applicant provide documents to the city staff with the following: 1. Type and color of the roof 2. The roof should be an architectural asphalt shingle 3. 5 tab to match the existing roof as stated in the application 4. All trends and flashing and other roofing components shall match the existing 5. Asphalt shingle is not historic in nature, is limited visibility from the street and does not distract from the overall historic character of the structure And with the following finding of fact: 1. This is a Type II SEQRA. 2. The Commissioners cited Preservation Standards #5, #6, and #9 as the guidelines for their decision 3. Asphalt shingles limited visibility from the street and does not detract from the overall historic character of the structure 4. To be done within six months, due to the active leaking. Motion carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes December 22, 2022 –Page 3 of 4  Commissioner Unger wanted to know the status of the guidelines and Austin Erickson said they just landed in his inbox a couple of days ago. Commissioner Unger also wanted to know about the Minutes from the special October 13, 2022 meeting. Commissioner Yager asked Commissioner Unger about his experience to hold people accountable if they do work without HDC approval. Commissioner Unger stated that most places/communities have a robust zoning process or to have something in the code to give board more authority to fine applicants. He also suggested community workshops to educate people about the commission. Attorney Marney said there is a $100 Code Violation fine that gets assessed to the property and the discussion continued about appearance tickets and how that works when a property owner is issued an appearance ticket. An update was provided about the Masonic Temple. Attorney Marney stated, “it will be on a Monday agenda item for the council meeting. They will call for a public hearing, which will be scheduled probably sometime in January, and open the 30-day comment period for the public. Once those two processes are done, they'll make their final vote. There seemed unanimous support for the designation.” VIII. ADJOURMENT Motion by Commissioner Andriano, seconded by Commissioner Yager, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes December 22, 2022 –Page 4 of 4