Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes June 27, 2024 I. Call to Order Commissioner Yager called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Roll Call PRESENT: Patricia Yager Chair; Shaun Andriano, Zakhar Berkovich, Michael Barron, Sergy Dossous Assistant Planner EXCUSED: Richard Unger III. Conflicts of Interest None IV. V. Adoption of Prior Meeting's Minutes A. May 23rd No motion was made. VI. Call for Members of the Public to Speak on Agenda Items None. VII. Old Applications 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. Mr. Duque came before the Historic Commission to repair the roof on his property. Mr. Duque brought a few examples of roofing shingles made of different types of materials, Asphalt shingles, synthetic and natural slates. He also showed the price difference between the other kind of shingles. The asphalt shingle price was $46,350, the composite slate was $84,350, and the real slate was $139,350. He also mentioned that the entire roof will be replaced, and it will not be a repair. Mr. Duque said that they have been repairing the roof, but the slate is so thin, that now it is causing more damage when they are up there trying to fix it, the third floor is also leaking. The Commissioners did not have an issue with him replacing it with the asphalt shingle, and they will also replace the carriage house roof with the asphalt shingles. Resolution Commissioner Andriano made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of Fact: · The roof will be entirely replaced on both the main property and the carriage house. · All copper flashings will remain, and if need to be replaced, they will be in kind with copper. · The roof color and material will be “Certainty Belmont Stone slate Grey” with a slate look. · Drip edges to match the existing drip edges. · All work to be completed within one year · Prior to any work begins, all necessary permits shall be secured. Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2,5, 6, 9. Type II SEQR VII. New Business A. Consideration for approval submitted by Thomaura O’Sullivan to install temporary fences. The property is located in the Union Street Corridor at 402 Union Street. Ms. O’Sullivan came before the Historic Commission to install temporary fences. She wants to install temporary fencing around the parking lot of her business. The fences will only be up seasonally during the summer months. The commissioners did not like the idea of her having the white vinyl fences there. Chair Commissioner Yager did give her a couple suggestions of for the types and materials of the fence. She suggested a black aluminum no-dig fence, and the other one was a cedar no-dig fence. They also suggested planters to her, but she said that would create too many issues with people placing their trash there and vandalizing them. RESOLUTION Commissioner Andriano made a motion to table the application as submitted. Commissioner Barron seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · Insufficient information on the proposed fences · Insufficient information on the proposed roof. Motion carried unanimously. B. Consideration for approval submitted by Mathew Ryan to repaint the house. The property is located in the Stockade Historic District at 219 Green Street. Mr. Ryan came before the commission to repaint his house. He is planning on using three different colors on the house, beige, Lafayette green, and burgundy. Mr. Ryan said that he picked those colors from the historical color list. The body of the house was already some kind of beige, and it is very faded in its current state. The applicant will do the body beige, the window trims will be burgundy, and the green will provide some accents. He also wants to paint the fire escape green. The Commissioners asked the applicant what he considered to be accents. The applicant pointed it out to the commissioners on the pictures. The commissioners brought up the point that having the fire escape painted green would be a little too much, and they say they would rather have it the same color as the body or black. The applicant explained to them that the beige color rusts easily. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Barron seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · To paint the body of the house in Shaker Beige “HC45”, the trim will be painted in New London Burgundy “HC61”, and the wooden accent pieces will be in Lafayette Green “HC35”. · The fire escape will be painted in New London Burgundy “HC61”. · 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 C. Consideration for approval submitted by Shanti Development LLC to repair the roof, the windows, and paint. The property is located in the Union Street Corridor at 612 Union Street. Mr. Philip Wagner came before the commission representing Shanti Development LLC. They are planning on doing major renovations to the exterior and the interior of the property. The commissioners had asked Mr. Wagner about the windows where it said GBG (Grill between Glass). Mr. Wagner clarified that it will not be using GBG and that is why the cost of the windows is more expensive, and he can get it in writing that he will not use GBG. The applicant did mention that all the windows in the property will be replaced. The commissioners explained to the applicant that as a Historic Commission, they would always want to try to repair before replacing and that is the case for the windows as well. They asked the applicant if there was a particular reason as to why the windows were being replaced and not repaired. The applicant responded by saying that most of the windows, and their bottoms had disintegrated and that the previous owner of the building had not taken care of it. The commissioners agreed that they don’t have sufficient evidence that the windows are in true disrepair to make approval on the replacement of the windows. Commissioner Yager had a question about the overhang roof they are planning on replacing, the applicant said that he is planning on putting the right roof that was supposed to be there in the first place. He explained the current roof does not have any pitch and water just sits there. The existing roof is made of metal and will be replaced in kind. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to partially approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Andriano seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · The windows replacement was not approved by the Commissioners since they didn’t have sufficient showing that the windows could not be repaired. · Repainting the building with “1500 timber wolf grey” for the front and left side, and “Benjamin Moore OC-130” for the masonry were approved. · Repairing the masonry in kind was approved. · Replacing the commercial overhang roofs with black metal was approved. · Repainting Wrought iron columns, railings, and fire escape with the same color “Black” was approved. · Any materials that will need to be replaced, will be replaced in kind with a similar material. · 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, 5, 6, 7, 9. Type II SEQR D. Consideration for approval submitted by Nick Plowman to install a split heat pump. The property is located in the Stockade Historic District at 6 Washington Ave. Mr. Plowman came before the Historic Commission to get approval for a split heat pump that he had installed without the Historic Commission's approval. He explained how he installed the unit and went the extra way to hide them and disguise the ducting to the side of the house. He is also planning on painting everything the same color as the house, so they blend in perfectly. The Commissioners expressed to him that he must come in front of the Commission for approval before he does any work. RESOLUTION Commissioner Barron made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · Was approved for the installation of the split heat pump unit. · Painting shall match the color of the house. · All work to be done within one year. · Prior to any work begin, all necessary permits shall be secured. Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 9, 10. Type II SEQR. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Dean and Caroline Robinson to replace the shed. The property is located in the GE Realty Plot Historic District at 1374 Lowell Road. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson could not attend the meeting due to an illness in their family. 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 shed. · 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 VIII. Adjourn Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Barron. Seconded by Commissioner Berkovich. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.