Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes May 25, 2023 I. Call to Order Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A moment of silence was observed for Joe Fava. II. Roll Call PRESENT: Patricia Yager, Chair; Richard Unger, Zakhar Berkovich, Dr. Dean Bennett, Austin Erickson, Christopher Marney, City Counsel, and Sylvia Jimison, Development Staff EXCUSED: Shaun Andriano III. Conflicts of Interest None IV. Adoption of Prior Meeting's Minutes A. May 2nd - Tabled IV. Call for Members of Public to Speak on Agenda Items None VI. Tabled Application – 1307 Union Street A. Consideration for approval submitted by Jesse Burns to replace the front porch railing and supports using pressure treated lumber and white paint and to paint the house smoky blue with white trim, and the replacement of shingles with three-tab asphalt shingles. The premises is located in the Union Street Corridor Historic District at 1307 Union St. Mr. Jesse Burns came before the commission to request replacement of front porch railings. He said he has a difficult time finding exact pieces, especially the cornices. Commissioner Yager offered suggestions in helping the applicant find the needed materials. The commissioners decided before approving application the applicant must have specific details for columns and railings that included the following: RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to table the application as incomplete and for applicant to return for June meeting with the following conditions and seconded by Commissioner Berkovich: • Specific paint colors to be used for the house • Manufacturer color numbers, paint chip colors, and samples • Description of the specific location of the porch, and trim for each paint color to be used • Specific material and colors for the roofing to be replaced • Specific materials and colors of the proposed roofing and windows, size of windows • Cut sheets if you have can get those samples of the materials for window or present brochures to commission • Smoky Blue Sherwin Williams SW7604  • Super White SW 6995 • Windows -doubled sided, wood or aluminum clad • Railings iron-Gilpen-keep to what is there presently • Shingles -GAF Motion carried unanimously. Type II SEQR B. Consideration for approval submitted by Nicholas Plowman to install new windows on the house and the construction of bay windows. The premises is located in the RH-2 Stockade Historic District at 6 Washington Ave. Mr. Plowman appeared before the commission to inform the commission that 5 bay windows will be replaced, and they will all be the same. There was some concern that the windows overhang into the neighbor’s property. It was stated that the overhang was a matter between Mr. Plowman and his neighbor. A motion was made to approve the application as submitted. RESOLUTION Commissioner Bennett made a motion to grant the application with the following conditions and seconded by Commissioner Berkovich with the following conditions: • Bay windows- additional 2 windows (left & right) as shown in illustration 5 windows • Copper rook and trim will be stunning gray C17 • Color will be gray • Strip all the original to make look the same Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2,6, and 9. Type II SEQR VII. New Applications C. Consideration for approval submitted by 620 Union St LLC to install a 7’ tall and 12 square foot post and panel sign. The premises is located in the Union Street Corridor Historic District at 620 Union St. Mr. Pat Boni came before the commission to obtain approval to install a 7’ and 12 square foot post and panel sign. He said they are recommending aluminum for longevity and the frame will be welded; 3 inch deep, except for the bolts. It will be an one-sided sign. He circulated the material to the commissioners to examine for which the sign’s logo would be made of – ½ inch acrylic. Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the application as submitted. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to grant the application with the following conditions and seconded by Commissioner Bennett with the following conditions: • 7’ tall and 12 square feet • Material -aluminum • Behind the fence – 2 feet minimum Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 9 and 10. Type II SEQR D. Consideration for approval submitted by Mark Blanchfield to repair an existing wooden picket fence. The premises is located in the GE Realty Plot Historic District at 1144 Wendell Ave. Mr. Blanchfield appeared before the commission to say the fence has deteriorated beyond repair. The repair of the fence will be slightly different. He has sought the advice of experts and cannot find manufacturing that is the same. His concern is to provide extra safety for the pool that the fence encloses, and he stated it was not visible from the street. The applicant was reminded to check with city staff to make sure the pool was not visible from the street. He will be using 3- inch width boards for the replacement fence. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger motioned to approve the application to replace existing wooden fence at 1144 Wendell, GE Plot, with the following conditions of approval and Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion specifically for the areas that are visible from the street -site plan: • The fence should be located in the street side yard, as illustrated in the application. • Material -wood cedar • The stage picket fence material shall be wood with cedar recommended • The maximum height of the space picket fence shall not exceed 48 inches • The maximum width of the pickets shall not exceed three inches. • The maximum space between the pickets shall not exceed the width of the pickets • The top of the pickets shall be pointed design as illustrated • Ever strong white cedar spaced wooden picket fence model 3013 grams of the application, • The minimum space between pickets shall not be less than 2.5 inches, and a space picket fence shall be painted white This is all with finding that with the conditions above the application needs the applicable Secretary of Interior standards for rehabilitation, specifically, criteria 2,4,6 and 10 as they pertain to historic structures, and that this is a type II SEQR. Motion carried unanimously. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Wahidullah Behsoodwal to paint house blue replacing existing white. The premises is located in the Stockade Historic District at 9 Ingersoll Ave. Mr. Behsoodwal appeared before the commission and said he did not know he was not allowed to paint the property white and once he was notified to stop the work on the property, he did. He said the color he painted the house was Saturn and he purchased the paint from Home Depot. RESOLUTION Commissioner Bennett made a motion to grant the application with the following conditions and seconded by Commissioner Berkovich with the following conditions: • The spindles on the upper balcony be painted solid white • All the trim should be solid white • Provide staff the type of color to used to be placed in the file Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2,6, and 9. Type II SEQR VIII. Miscellaneous A. New York State and National Registers of Historic Places, consideration for 132-136 Broadway Schenectady, NY 12305. Commissioner Unger stated how much time satisfies, A, B, C, and D criteria. Commissioner Yager indicated that a motion was needed. Commissioner Unger made the following motion and Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion: 132-136 meet A, B,C, and D evaluating properties should be placed on the register. B. SEQR review and comment for BZA application for Use Variance for 1106 Union St. Counsel Marney indicated that should bring action that requires a SEQR action, if there is an impact. All actions do not require a SEQR analysis. He gave an example of a beauty salon that would require a use variance. Commissioner Unger not in favor of use variance. VIIII. Adjourned at 8:32 p.m. motion by Commissioner Berkovich. Motion carried unanimously.