Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes May 23, 2024 I. Call to Order Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Roll Call PRESENT: Patricia Yager Chair; Richard Unger, Zakhar Berkovich, Michael Barron, Sergy Dossous Assistant Planner EXCUSED: Shaun Andriano III. Conflicts of Interest None IV. Adoption of Prior Meeting's Minutes A. April 25th Motion made by Commissioner Berkovich to approve the minutes of April 4th. Seconded by Commissioner Unger. Motion carried unanimously. V. Call for Members of Public to Speak on Agenda Items None. VI. Old Applications None. VII. New Business  A. Consideration for approval submitted by Erich Bachmeyer to repaint the house. The property is located in the Stockade Historic District at 13 North Street. Mr. Bachmeyer came before the Historic Commission to repaint his house. He explained how he is looking to power wash the house, make some minor reparations to some of the bricks and mortar. He wants to paint the house with Conservative Gray (HGSW6183) color and change the color of the window shutters to Muddled Basil (HGSW7745) Color. The commissioners had some concern with the power washing, and they raised the question of if abrasive materials will be used with the power washer. Mr. Bachmeyer assured them that no abrasive materials will be used with the power washer, and the power washing will only be with water and the most care will be taken to not cause damage to the house. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact:  To paint the house with Conservative Gray (HGSW6183) and the window shutters with Muddled Basil (HGSW7745).  Power washing will be conducted in a manner that will not be detrimental to the house (no abrasives will be used).  All work to be completed within one year  Prior to any work begin, all necessary permits shall be secured. Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 6, 7. Type II SEQR B. Consideration for approval submitted by Patrick LaFortune to replace the sidewalk. The property is located in the OH Overlay Historic District at 1031 Wendell Avenue. As the applicant was not currently present for this application, the application was moved to the end of the agenda, to be acted upon following item G. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to authorize Development Staff to review and approve, if appropriate, this application in accordance with the city code and the applicable historic guidelines. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact:   All work to be completed within one year  Prior to any work begin, all necessary permits shall be secured Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 6, 9. Type II SEQR C. Consideration for approval submitted by Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to repair and replace the porch. The property is located in the Union Street historic District at 1212 Union Street. The Architect (Dan Kelly) representing the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities presented the applicant’s request for an extension to an application previously approved on September 9, 2022. The architect explained that there were some other issues that they had to take care of, and because of that, the application had expired. The architect explained that the applicant is requesting no changes to the previously approved application of September 9, 2022. Commissioner Unger asked staff if there had been any changes to the city code since the September 2022 approval that would apply to this project, or if any code changes are anticipated prior to September 1, 2024, that could apply to this case. Staff reported there have not been any such code amendments in the last year. Staff reported that they are looking to make some code changes, but they will not affect this project. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact:  The extension to September 1, 2024, shall be consistent with the terms of the September 9, 2022, approval.  All work to be completed by September 1, 2024, as requested.  Prior to any work begin, all necessary permits shall be secured Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 6, 9. Type II SEQR D. Consideration for approval submitted by Danny Duque to repair the roof. The property is located in the GE Realty Plot Historic District at 1360 Lenox Road. Michael Bruce came before the Historic Commission for Danny Duque to discuss the reparation of the roof of their property. They are planning on replacing the existing deteriorated slate shingle with asphalt shingles. Their decision to go with the asphalt shingles was based of the huge price difference between the two materials. The commissioners had concerns with the replacement of the slate roof with asphalt shingles, as asphalt shingles are not characteristic of homes in the GE Realty plot. The Commission expressed opinions that slate roof shingles contribute to the uniqueness of this house and would like to see some quotes and prices differences between the materials before making a concrete decision. The applicant was informed that in reviewing condition of materials on historic structures the Commissions first option is to repair and maintain existing materials. When that option does not exist, the alternative is to replace existing materials with the same or similar materials. The last and least preferred option is to replace existing materials with dissimilar materials. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to Table the application. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact:  For applicant to come back provide examples of the appearance, cost, and longevity differences between the cost of true slate, synthetic (fake) slate and the proposed roofing materials. Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 6, 9. Type II SEQR. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Peter Montalto to make a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the consideration to designate 148 Barrett Street a historic property. The partner of Mr. Montalto of this property came forward to the Historic District Commission seeking a recommendation to the Planning Commission to designate their property as historic. RESOLUTION Motion made by Commissioner Unger to approve the application with the following conditions and findings of facts. Seconded by Commissioner Berkovich:  Designated as a historic a historic property, finding that the applicant has documented that the property meets qualifying standards for designation as a historic building pursuant to City Code Section 264-75 (3) a, b, and e:  The structure and site of 148-146 Barrett Street: a) Possesses special character or historic or aesthetic interests or value as part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality, region, state or nation. b) Is identified with historic personages or events. e) Because of a unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood.  Be designated with the OH Overlay Historic District per City Code Section 264-20, and  Encouraging the owner of the property to preserve the design of the interior elevator. Motion carried unanimously. The City Council will act as the Lead Agency for the Environmental Review of this proposal. F. Consideration for approval submitted by Iglesia Pentecostal Puerta de Bendicion to repair the roof. The property is located in the Union Street Historic District at 1201 Union Street. Iglesia Pentecostal Puerta de Bendicion came before the Historic Commission to discuss the condition of the current roof of the church. They explained how they wanted to repair the roof structure and replace the deteriorated slate roof with Architectural shingles, replace the crip edges and the flashing with aluminum. They also wanted to replace the snow slides with ice shields. The Church did mention the higher cost of material for the reason of going with the architectural shingles. The Commission discussed the location of the church being of a commercial nature and the roof itself being a less significant visual element of the church as possible justification for the use of architectural shingles. The Commission expressed concern with replacing copper materials with aluminum. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the application with modifications Commissioner Barron seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact:  To replace the slate roof with architectural shingles.  To replace crip edges and flashing with copper.  To maintain the copper snow slide roofing.  All work to be completed in one year  Prior to any work begin, all necessary permits shall be secured. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 6, 9. Type II SEQR. Motion carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Public Sidewalk Approval Following the cases before the Commission there was general discussion on the issue of future sidewalk improvements located within the public right-of-way and in Historic Districts being approved by City Development Department staff. Staff reported that, until recently, sidewalks had been subject to Development Department and Permitting or Engineering Department staff only. It was moved by Unger and Seconded by Berkovich to permit City Development Department and Permitting or Engineering Departments staff to approve requests to for public sidewalks improvements without Historic Commission review, provided that Development Department staff ensure that the specific sidewalk design, material and color standards adopted for the Historic Stockade District (RH-2 zoning) be required and enforced throughout sidewalk improvement review, permitting, inspection and final approval process. Motion carried unanimously. Standard Conditions of Approval There was additional discussion regarding the Commission’s standard conditions of approval: 1. All work shall be completed within one year of the application’s date of approval (applicable date), and 2. Prior to commencement of any work on a Historic Commission approved application, all necessary permits shall be secured. It was moved by Unger and seconded by Barron to acknowledge that the following standard application conditions of approval shall apply to all future Historic Commission approved applications unless specifically modified by the Commission for any individual applications: 1. All work shall be completed within one year of the application’s date of approval (applicable date), and 2. Prior to commencement of any work on a Historic Commission approved application, all necessary permits shall be secured. Further, staff shall reflect the two standard conditions of approval in the minutes of all future Commission actions and in all notification, letters sent to applicants. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. Adjourn Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Barron. Seconded by Commissioner Berkovich. Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.