Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes August 22, 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, Sean O’Brian Assistant Counsel. EXCUSED: None III. Conflicts of Interest None IV. Adoption of Prior Meeting's Minutes A. June 27th Motion made by Commissioner Unger to approve the minutes of May 23rd and June 27th. Seconded by Commissioner Berkovich. Motion carried unanimously. V. Call for Members of the Public to Speak on Agenda Items None. VI. Old Applications Consideration for approval submitted by Shanti Development to repair or replace the windows. The property is located in the Union Corridor Historic District at 612 Union Street. Mr. Wagner came before the Historic Commission to repair or replace the windows; his application was tabled at the last meeting because more proof was needed to make a clear determination on whether the windows would need to be repaired or replaced. Commissioner Yager had a question about Windows 8 which was described as painted shut, and broken weights, and her question was “Is it not fixable?” Mr. Wagner answered by saying “Basically all the bottom of the windows are gone now.” Commissioner Yager explained how he only mentioned that in some of the windows and not for all of them. Commissioner Unger was concerned about whether the windows need replacement based on the previous photos that he had and he did not have time to review the new pictures that staff did not inform him were uploaded. Commissioner Berkovich mentioned that he had seen the windows from the inside of the property, he said: “is it possible to repair them, yes, but it’s going to take a lot more effort, and I don’t know how much of that integrity of the window will retain”. Commissioner Berkovich felt comfortable having the applicant repair or replace the windows based on the new pictures he saw after a property tour. 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 repair and or replace all windows provided that all windows are being replaced shall retain the over and under panel with munnions and grills. (I.e., 6X6, 9X9, 1X1, etc.) as illustrated in the application. · Repair or replace with details not specifically addressed in the application or those conditions. The development staff should review these conditions of approval and maybe approved by the development staff. · All work to be completed within one year. · Before 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 New York Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to recommend this property for a historic nomination. The properties are located at 112 Erie and 108 Erie Boulevard. Mr. Attar came before the Historic Commission to give a brief history of these properties that will be considered by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. The owners of the properties are looking to do a Historic rehabilitation of the properties. Mr. Attar explained that there are 4 buildings on the properties, but only two of them are being considered by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. These two buildings were once owned by GE. 112 Erie Blvd dates to 1887 and 108 Erie Blvd dates to 1909. The commissioners did not have any issue with the two properties being listed as Historic. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the recommendation of this property for the historic nomination by the New York Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Commissioner Unger seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · To be part of the State and National Historic Register · The two structures need to follow the criteria for designation as a historic district per 264-75 (2) and (3) (a) (City of Schenectady Code). · Recommend the property containing 108 and 112 Erie Blvd buildings be established as an Overlay Historic District finding that the two properties and their structures meet the following criteria for designation as historic districts, that it contains properties that meet one or more of the criteria for designation of Historic site or structures, because of possessing such quality it constitutes as Historic District of the city. Motion carried unanimously. B. Consideration for approval submitted by Joseph Solghan to replace a window and repaint the house. The property is located in the Stockade Historic District at 115 N Ferry Street. Mr. Solghan came in front of the Historic Commission because he wanted to repaint the house and replace a window that was replaced with the wrong windows. The window was damaged by the inspector who was inspecting the house. The inspector tried to right his wrong by fixing the window with a window that he found at a workshop without knowing that the property was in a historical district and the proper step that he needed to take. Mr. Solghan was able to find a window in the basement and another one in architecture salvage in Albany, and he is going to be able to fix the window. For the painting of the windows, the colors that he chose are already in some houses in the Stockade. Commissioner Berkovich asked him if he could tell which colors were going to which part of the building. Mr. Solghan said that the body will be painted in Platinum, the fish shingle will be Jojoba, the accent colors will be Shadow Mountain and January Garnet, and the trim will be Bleach Linens. The paint's brand is Behr. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Commissioner Barron seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · To replace the window and repaint the house. · The body of the house will be painted with Behr Platinum (PPU 26-11), the fish scale shingles will be Behr Jojoba (9390-3), the accent will be painted Behr Shadow Mountain (PPU 24-22) and Behr January Garnet (HDC-CL-11), and the trim will be painted Bleach Linen (PPU5-09). · To replace one window that was broken beyond repair by the applicant inspection’s contractor. The replacement windows will be home-specific wood windows from Albany Architectural Savage with material and construction like the original window, replacement window will be wood, 59x38 inches. Replacement windows should have 2x2 window panels, with munnions, and the windows will be painted with Behr Bleach Linen (PPU5-09). · All work to be completed within one year. · Before any work begins, 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 Tablecloths for Granted to install a sliding gate on the fence. The property is located in the Union Corridor Historic District at 510 Union Street. Mr. Labnake came in front of the Historic Commission to install a sliding gate on their fence. Commissioner Unger asked for the width of the gate, and the applicant's response was 18 feet. 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 install a sliding gate on the fence at the Union Street entrance. · The gate should consist of two 8-foot fixed fence panels and one 18-foot sliding panel in between. · The three gates’ panels should be the same design as the existing fence, the three gates panel should be no taller than the existing fence. The height should be provided to the planning staff before construction. · The existing stone monuments will remain in place. · All material will be baked black enamel on aluminum as submitted. · All work to be completed within one year. · Before any work begins, all necessary permits shall be secured. Motion carried unanimously. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 9. Type II SEQR D. Consideration for approval submitted by Harline Andrus to repair two columns and the front facia of the building. The property is located in the Union Triangle Historic District at 40 Union Ave. Nick Plowman came in front of the Historic Commission as the contractor representing Harline Andrus for the property located at 40 Union Ave. Mr. Plowman is planning on repairing the two columns and the front facia of the building. Mr. Plowman explained to the Commissioners, how there is a hole in the fascia because an animal probably chewed on it, and he is planning on fixing it with the same existing material. Commissioner Yager wanted to know how he was planning on fixing the columns and their bases. She wanted to know if the contractor would shorten them and add a box formation, or if it is just replaced in kind. The contractor told Commissioner Yager that the columns themselves are not rotted and it is just the wood blocks under them, and they are made in sections, which makes them easier to repair. 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 repair the two columns with like materials and the front fascia with like materials as well. · All work to be completed within one year. · Before 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. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Peter Frisoni to repair the roof of the building. The property is located in the Union Street Corridor Historic District at 1205 Union Street. Mr. Frisoni came in from the Historic Commission looking to repair the roof of the building. Mr. Frisoni mentioned to the Commissioners that the roof has leaks and it is leaking in the attic. The new roof shingles will be Owen Corning- Tru-Definition Duration Driftwood color. Commissioner Berkovich wanted to know what material was in between the fascia. Mr. Frisoni told him that the slide was made of aluminum, and it would stay. Commissioner Unger wanted to know if the entire roof were going to be replaced or if it was only just a portion of it, the same with the fascia board, and he also wanted to know if new drip edges would be needed. Mr. Frisoni told him that the entire roof would be replaced, only the fascia boards that were damaged would be replaced, and all new drip edges would be needed. Commissioner Yager asked if the applicant had any further plans for the siding of the house which is in very bad condition, the applicant said sometimes down the line he would address it. RESOLUTION Commissioner Barron made a motion to approve the application with modifications Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion with the following conditions and findings of fact: · To replace the roof with the Owens Corning Duration Driftwood color shingles. · To replace drip edges with aluminum and cream color. · To replace the facia board, using pine material. · All work to be completed in one year · Before any work begins, all necessary permits shall be secured. This is in coordination with standards 2, 5, 6, 9. Type II SEQR. Motion carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Staff Approvals § 1053 Park Avenue. § 1302 Stratford Road § 40 Union Ave VIII. Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Unger and seconded by Commissioner Berkovich. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm.