Historic Resource Commission

Schenectady Historic Resource Commission Meeting Minutes November 21, 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, Meridith Runkel, Pablo Sepulveda, Sergy Dossous Assistant Planner, Maxine Barasch Counsel  ABSENT: None  EXCUSED: None III. Conflicts of Interest None IV. Adoption of Prior Meeting's Minutes Motion made by Commissioner Unger to approve the minutes of October 24th. Motion seconded by Commissioner Berkovich. Chair called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried unanimously. V. Old Applications or None A. Approval of the Design Guidelines  After the two new Commissioners had a chance to review the Design Guidelines, there were no discussions. The commissioners moved to approve the Design Guidelines. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the Design Guidelines. Commissioner Berkovich seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Note: Unless otherwise specifically modified by the HRC, all applications approved by the HRC are subject to the following minimum conditions of approval:  Prior to any work beginning, all necessary permits shall be secured; and  All work shall be completed within one year. Page 1 of 5  B. Consideration for approval submitted by Leticia Adjodah to repair her roof. The property is located in the Union Triangle Historic District at 1025 University Place. Leticia Adjodah came before the Historic Commission to present her application to repair the roof on her property. She explained that there were no modifications to her application since its submittal.  After a brief discussion with the Commissioners and the applicant, Commissioner Berkovich called for a motion. RESOLUTION Commissioner Berkovich made a motion to approve the application as submitted, with the following conditions of approval:  To repair or replace the missing slate tiles.  All repairs will be made in kind. Finding that:  The application is a Type II SEQR,  With the motion’s conditions of approval, the application will be consistent with the applicable Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Building Rehabilitation numbers 2,5,6, and 9. Commissioner Unger seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, so the Chair called for a vote. Motion carried unanimously. C. Consideration for approval submitted by Samuel Taveras and Rachel Santiago to get their Mini-split approved. The property is located in the GE Historic District at 1156 Stratford Road. Samuel Taveras and Rachel Santiago came before the Historic Commission to present their application to get their Mini-split approved. She explained that there were no modifications to her application since its submittal.  Rachel Santiago explained to the Commissioners that what was suggested during the last meeting to move the line toward the accent of the building would not be feasible. Rachel said found an artist that does amazing work, and she would paint the conduit line to match with the existing stucco, and the texture will look similar too.  The Commissioners were impressed with the work of the artist. The Commissioners discussed how the newly painted conduit would be more vibrant that the rest of the house. Rachel told them that in the future when the house would get repainted, they would also touch up the conduit. RESOLUTION Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application as submitted, with the following conditions of approval:  The conduit will be artistically painted to match the brown woodwork and the stucco.  If the house is repainted, the conduit must match the color.  All repairs will be made in kind. Finding that:  The application is a Type II SEQR,  With the motion’s conditions of approval, the application will be consistent with the applicable Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Building Rehabilitation numbers 2,5, and 9. Commissioner Unger stated that the conditions for this motion are unique because the house is a half-timber style house and sits on a corner lot. Commissioner Barron seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, so the Chair called for a vote. Motion carried unanimously. D. Consideration for approval submitted by Ashraf Ghaly to repair and replace the roof. The property is located in the Union Corridor Historic District at 1001 Union Street. Ashraf Ghaly came before the Historic Commission to present his application to repair and replace the roof on his property. He explained that there were no modifications to his application since its submittal.  Mr. Ghaly explained to the Commissioners that he needed a flexible material for the top of the turret due to the curvature and the steepness. He proposed slate shingle because they are more malleable than slate or synthetic slates.  The Commissioners suggested that the applicant used a synthetic slate material. The applicant claimed that the synthetic slates were too rigid and would not work toward the top of the turret. The commissioners told the applicant to consult with a few roofing contractors to have a professional opinion on if the slate or synthetic slate would be feasible. The commissioners also asked the applicant to have their response in writing.  Following the discussions, the Commissioners decided to table the application to give the applicant more time to research more compatible synthetic slates. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to table the application as submitted:  To grant the applicant time to research compatible synthetic slates. Commissioner Barron seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, so the Chair called for a vote. Motion carried unanimously. VI. New Business Page 3 of 5  Note: Unless otherwise specifically modified by the HRC, all applications approved by the HRC are subject to the following minimum conditions of approval:  Prior to any work beginning, all necessary permits shall be secured; and  All work shall be completed within one year. E. Consideration for approval submitted by Paul Homestead to repair the façade of the building. The property is located in the Stockade Historic District at 206 Union Street. The Contractor came before the Historic Commission to present his application to repair and replace wood sidings and window frames. He explained that there were no modifications to his application since its submittal.  The contractor briefly explained the scope of the projects to the Commissioners, and the Commissioners asked him a few questions to clarify some things. After the discussion, the Commissioners agreed that the building needed the work and they moved forward to make a motion. RESOLUTION Commissioner Unger made a motion to approve the application as submitted, with the following conditions of approval:  To repair or replace all brick work.  The replacement mortar shall match the existing mortar.  All repairs and replacement will be made in kind. Finding that:  The application is a Type II SEQR,  With the motion’s conditions of approval, the application will be consistent with the applicable Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Building Rehabilitation numbers 2,4,5,6, and 7. Commissioner Sepulveda seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, so the Chair called for a vote. Motion carried unanimously. F. Miscellaneous  The Commissioners discussed the staff-approved application with Assistant Planner Dossous.  Assistant Planner Dossous and the Commissioners explained to the new Commissioner the purpose of the Staff Approvals and why they are on the agenda for every meeting.  Commissioner Barron wanted clarification on whether staff-approved applications needed to file a Historic Application, Assistant Planner Dossous explained to the Commissioners that an application is always needed whether Staff is approving the application, or it is going in front of the Commission. VII. Adjourn Page 4 of 5 Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Berkovich. Seconded by Commissioner Unger. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting is adjourned at 8:00 PM. Page 5 of 5