The City of Auburn
Historic Resources Review Board
c/o Office of Planning and Economic Development
Memorial City Hall - 24 South Street
Auburn, New York 13021
(315) 255-4115 Fax 253-0282
Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2006
1. Meeting was opened in the third floor training room of Memorial City Hall. In attendance were Jill Fudo, Betty Lewis, Judy Bryant, Mike Deming and Christina Selvek. Staff members Mike Long and Alicia McKeen. Guests Max Champion, Lou Springer and Natalia Myer
2. Approval of Minutes: Chair asks for a motion to approve the minutes of May 9, 2006. Motion made by Christina Selvek, seconded by Betty Lewis. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
3. Certificate of Appropriateness
50 South St.
Max Champion – the rear porch as framed in does not look good. We want to replace it and bring it out 4 feet to create more space for a mudroom. Move the stairs to come out in the back yard and install windows.
Christina Selvek – will the new windows match the current?
Mike Long – currently arch top 2/2 – there are none to match.
Max Champion – standard box window similar to what is in the kitchen proportioned to the rest of the house.
Christina Selvek – will there be a back door?
Max Champion – where the multi-paned window is.
Christina Selvek – cedar shake shingles?
Max Champion – yes
Christina Selvek – what window materials?
Max Champion – wood w/aluminum clad on the exterior, green trim.
Motion to approve application as submitted made by Betty Lewis, seconded by Judy Bryant. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
Certificates issued by Staff.
86 South St. – asphalt roof replacement; 27 Grover St. – asphalt roof replacement; 81 South St. – replacement of existing entryway with new doorway and automatic door opener (as discussed in May meeting) Motion to accept Certificates made by Jill Fudo, seconded by Christina Selvek. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
4. Other Matters
88 South St.
Natalia Meyer – recently purchased 88 South St. – questions why the matter of replacing the railing was not brought into correction before now. Shows pics of the originals railings. Would like to preserve the building. Having problems with getting liability insurance. Shows four different examples of railing. The original, similar on street, recommended. Has develop railing that is safe and looks nice. Feels everyone has states that the original design must be kept which would not pass the insurance inspection.
Christina Selvek – there is a portion of the historic railing on the house but it doesn’t meet Code. To comply with Code we wouldn’t suggest replacing as is.
Jill Fudo – keep the profile of the existing rails and spindles but bring to Code of 42 inches high with 4 inch spacing and proper spindle width.
Mike Long – personally put single bar from post to post but also issue of spacing.
Natalia Meyer – but that still wouldn’t be historical. Received a letter from Steve Selvek to replace in kind. Doesn’t want to expend an excess amount of money on a railing.
Discussion between Jill Fudo and Christina Selvek
Mike Deming – asks if her plans are acceptable with different dimensions
Natalia Meyer – will not spend that much money on rail. Nothing was done when the railing was removed.
Mike Deming – only question with design is the thickness
Jill fudo – as long as it’s close as possible in the profile. The drawings are not that of what is standard off the shelf so it’s understood that some cost will be involved.
Christina Selvek – existing ballisters – reuse similar design and thickness
Natalia Meyer – serves no purpose to put in fancy railing that I won’t receive any return on the investment. Can compromise of go to City Council. Can’t afford to do custom porch.
Christina Selvek – suggests getting cost estimates done.
Natalia Meyer – doesn’t have the time.
Mike Long – have 45 days to act on an application but it sound like she has a time crunch.
Natalia Meyer – unable to get insurance. Also there is the time from when the decision is made to getting materials made. Did not know the ordinance at the time of purchase. Attorney did not know.
Mike Deming – we are trying to work with you here but you act as though you will do nothing we say. This is the ordinance. It was up to you or your attorney to know that.
Mike Long – would be easier if we had a sample.
Christina Selvek – would like something as close as possible to what is there. Check Shaver Bros.
Jill Fudo – may not have to be milled. Check what’s out there – as long as it looks appropriate. Design is fine but needs to look as original as possible.
Natalia Meyer – would like house to look nice but we have safety issues to deal with.
Jill Fudo – understand that. Architecture intents should be respected. Railing has a very heave presence. As long as similar is used it will be fine.
Mike Deming – but we can’t act as this is an incomplete application. We have no specifications.
Natalia Meyer – wasn’t told that. Was told to match what’s there
Mike Long – again, you were told if replacing in kind it would be fine but if anything different it would have to be reviewed. Get us a sample of what you want to use and we’ll make a decision.
Mike Deming – we can hold a special meeting when a sample is available.
Mike Long – when you have something call and we’ll set it up.
114 South St.
Lou Springer representing Doug and Kelly Springer – son wants to work on windows. 70 windows in house – cellar and 3rd floor not being addressed at this time. Has listing of all windows with what’s current and wha’ts proposed included. There is no consistency in the house now.
Mike Deming – where is the criteria to pick the same design.
Lou Springer – what they think would look nice. Current wooden with sash weights – remove windows and jams and replace with Marvin thermopanes with dividers adhered (exterior grill), vinyl clad exterior, wood interior. Stain interior to match house. Current creamy yellow – will switch to white. Trying to salvace trim work. Current siding aluminum – intend to paint.
Jill Fudo – talk to Jim Hutchinson about painting aluminum siding. His is similar and he used a stain that worked better.
Lou Springer – aluminum storms to be removed.
Mike Long – went through house – found 6/6 in the basement.
Lou Springer – the sun porch has casement windows they want to remove and replace with 4 light high vs. current 5.
Mike Long – questions house trim
Lou Springer – they are trying to preserve it
Mike Deming – window trim not aluminum?
Lou Springer – describes molding – wood – trying to preserve.
Mike Deming – recommends supplying pics with application
Mike Long – recommends making changes reversible
Mike Deming – no problem with general concept – supply pics of what you want done especially the porch
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Mike Long – has meeting with Jim Courtney re: 41 Grover St. on June 15 at 2:00 p.m. Replacement windows on 41 Grover St.
NYS records management – South St. GIS project – grant from Sara program for deed research on South St. Air photo mapping overlapping on maps from different eras. Deed research if different properties are done. Web enabled.
5,000 dollar UGRR program grant submitted. Meeting in Auburn of the Network to Freedom group in September.
Jill Fudo – recommends sign for “Entering Historical District” installed.
Mike Long – encumbers money from this year for next.
Mike Deming – David Taylor application incomplete on what’s submitted and hired to do. Did not do extensive level research. Expect recommendation. Didn’t add anything to what the students had done. Was told what we wanted and didn’t do it. Was paid for both studies.
Mike Deming – suggests Corporation Counsel be available for meeting with 88 South St.
5. Adjournment: Next meeting scheduled for July 11, 2006. Motion to adjourn made by Christina Selvek, seconded by Jull Fudo. All members vote approval. Meeting adjourned.
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