Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes September 28, 2023 I. Call to Order Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A new commissioner, Michael Barron, was introduced to the HDC. II. Roll Call PRESENT: Patricia Yager, Chair; Richard Unger, Zakhar Berkovich, Shaun Andriano, Dean Bennett, Austin Erickson EXCUSED: Christopher Marney, City Counsel III. Conflicts of Interest None IV. Adoption of Prior Meeting's Minutes A. July 27th and August 24th Meeting minutes for both meetings were approved unanimously, contingent on minor changes to be made by City staff. V. Call for Members of Public to Speak on Agenda Items VI. Old Applications A. Consideration for approval submitted by Nicolas Webb replace termination cap on chimney. The premises is located in the GE Realty Plot at 1186 Wendell Ave. Mr. Nicolas Webb came before the commission to request to replace the chimney’s termination cap. Commissioner Barron said he approved of both color schemes the applicant presented (copper or black) but had a preference for the black cap. Mr. Webb said that his contractor had the copper cap available. The rest of the Commission felt the copper would be more historically accurate. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application with the copper termination cap. Commissioner Barron seconded with the following conditions:   All work be finished by September 28, 2024  All proper permits will be obtained Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 9 and 10. Type II SEQR VII. New Business A. Consideration for approval submitted by Susan M. Trocciola to repave the driveway. The premises is located in the GE Realty Plot at 1204 Wendell Ave. Ms. Susan Trocciola addressed the Commission and apologized for going forward without approval, as her contractor said he would take care of the approvals but did not. Commissioner Unger said that although the work was completed before approvals he had no problem with the application. Commissioner Barron mentioned he drove by the site and noted it was a substantial upgrade from the previous driveway. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions:  All proper permits will be obtained Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 9, and 10. Type II SEQR B. Consideration for approval submitted by Christine Glavin to allow the weathering of the façade. The premises is located in the Stockade Historic District at 231 Union St. Mr. Erickson informed the Commission that this application had been rescinded prior to the meeting.  C. Consideration for approval submitted by Deonarine Nandall to install a wooden fence. The premises is located in the GE Realty Plot at 1024 Wendell Ave. Mr. Deonarine Nandall appeared before the Commission to discuss the project. Mr. Nandall confirmed for the Commission that the fence was visible from the street, although was far enough back that one would have to stop and deliberately look in order to see it. Mr. Nandall told the Commission that there would be gates that would allow access from the front yard. Given the distance the fence was from the street, no members of the Commission had any issue with the application RESOLUTION Commissioner Andriano made a motion to approve the application for a wooden cedar fence as submitted. Commissioner Bennett seconded the application with the following conditions:  The application be completed by 9/28/2024 Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 9 and 10. Type II SEQR. D. Consideration for approval submitted by Jess Roman to paint front door, replace fence, plant flowers, scrape chipping windows/repaint, and restore/replace inside windows. The premises is located in the Stockade Historic District at 34 N Ferry St. Ms. Jess Roman was present in front of the Commission in place of her father, who owns the property. Ms. Roman wanted to change the front door color from its current red to Benjamin Moore Sussex Green. Given the state of the paint on the window frame, which is chipping, Ms. Roman wanted the paint to be scraped and repainted in order to match the community. Sussex Green would be given to the window frames as well. Ms. Roman mentioned that the railing was rusted, and the Commission was supportive of painting the railing black. Although there were some aspects of the house that would need to be addressed at a later time (steps, windows etc.), Ms. Roman stated that she wanted to move forward with the painting of the front door and window frames as soon as possible. Ms. Roman wanted to replace the 4-foot picket fence as well. Commissioner Barron mentioned that a wrought-iron fence would be preferable to the wooden picket fence. Ms. Roman said that was something she could look into. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the application. This was seconded by Commissioner Bennett with the following conditions:  Benjamin Moore Sussex Green (HC109) would be used to paint the front door, window frame and replaced picket fence  The trim would be painted Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC17)  Railings would be painted in kind  Fence would be replaced in kind with natural materials Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5 and 6. Type II SEQR. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Ian K. Macbeth to replace the roof with synthetic slate and repair slope wings with standing seam metal. The premises is located in the GE Realty Plot at 1422 Lowell Rd. Mr. Ian Macbeth was present to discuss his application. Mr. Macbeth confirmed with Commissioner Barron that the back of the roof, visible from West Ally, is rotting and is in disrepair. Mr. Macbeth said that the back end of the house would be repaired using synthetic slate. Commissioner Barron mentioned that he had previous discussions with the applicant and that Grace Roofing is going to try and match the original nature of the roof as closely as possible with the synthetic. The main part of the roof is going to be authentic slate. Due to other materials existing on the house, Mr. Macbeth would be unable to use copper snow slides. Commissioner Unger confirmed with the Commission that if the applicant put synthetic slate in the front and metal in the back they would have no problem with that. Commissioner Barron said that the synthetic slate was a good product that was very close to the original product. Mr. Macbeth said that it would be cost prohibitive to have the entirety of the roof covered with authentic slate. Mr. Macbeth discussed the flashings, saying that they would be bronze, which would simulate weathered copper. Commissioner Andriano disagreed saying that bronze did not simulate weathered copper. Mr. Macbeth said the contractors told him that a warranty is void on the metal roof if copper is to be used. Commissioner Bennett said that he was not going to insist on the applicant using copper flashings. Commissioner Andriano felt comfortable recommending the copper flashings but would not insist on them if it turned out that the warranty would be void with their addition. RESOLUTION Commissioner Andriano made a motion to accept the application. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barron  The synthetic slate portion of the roof is to be Bravia Cottage  The roof is to be installed per the provided drawings with the application  The main roof will be synthetic slate while the rear roof will be metal  The rear roof will be antique bronze  The Commission recommendation is to use copper flashings, contingent on the warranty allowing for the copper to be installed  The applicant shall provide in writing from the manufacturer that the copper flashings would cause a warranty issue  The front porch to be replaced with synthetic tile roofs  All work be completed within one year Motion carried unanimously This is in coordination with standards 2, 5 and 6. Type II SEQR. F. Consideration for approval submitted by Gerald Lampman to scrape and paint the building. The premises is located in the Stockade Historic District at 21 Washington Ave. Ms. Stacy Lampman came before the Commission to discuss the project. None of the Commissioners had any questions or comments on the application. RESOLUTION Commissioner Bennett made a motion to approve the application as is. Seconded by Commissioner Barron. Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9. Type II SEQR. G. Consideration for approval submitted by Andrew and Mary Einhorn to paint the home same off-white, garage doors to be painted black, repair stucco and replace boards on porch. This premises is located in the GE Realty Plot at 1273 Stratford Rd. Ms. Mary Einhorn was present to discuss the application. Ms. Einhorn said the shutters would need to be taken down and would need to be scraped and improved before being repainted. Ms. Einhorn said she wanted the garage doors black to be more neutral than the red as it was. Although the main garage would be black, the pedestrian door would be changed to Benjamin Moore Heritage Red (HC181). Ms. Einhorn discussed the floor of her front porch, but it was determined that as it was not visible from the road the Commission would not need to review it. Ms. Einhorn said the house would be painted Benjamin Moore White Dove (HC17). RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the application. Seconded by Commissioner Unger with the following conditions:  All work to be completed within one year  Stucco to be repaired in kind and to be painted HC17  Trim on windows to be painted as discussed  Sections of porch to be painted HC70  House doors to be painted HC181  Shutters be inspected by owners and put back on after house is repainted Motion carried unanimously This is in coordination with standards 2, 5 and 6. Type II SEQR. VII. Miscellaneous VIII. Adjourn Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Berkovich. Seconded by Commissioner Bennett. Meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.