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
August 14, 2007
1. Meeting was opened in the Council Chambers. In attendance: Betty Lewis, Judith Bryant, Jill Fudo, Christina Selvek, Jim Hutchinson, and Mike Deming, Chair. Staff: Stephen Selvek
2. Ken Mochel speaks of a grant from Network to Freedom for a sponsored weekend celebration for Marsha Coffin Wright.
3. Certificates of Appropriateness applications
81 South St.
Wayne Snyder, caretaker for Westminster Manor – project is to wrap fascia and soffits in white aluminum and replace gutters and downspouts.
Jill Fudo – questions the profile of the building.
Wayne Snyder – it would follow the profile there.
Christina Selvek – questions if they will be just replacing what is there.
Wayne Snyder – yes, there is no physical change and the color will be the same.
Christina Selvek – doesn’t see a problem. It’s a non-contributing building and they are replacing in-kind.
Jim Hutchinson – they were here before for another project and at the time we told them the generator needed to be screened and it has not been done yet.
Wayne Snyder – was not aware it was approved
Jim Hutchinson – it was part of the approval process for that project.
Wayne Snyder – questions the specifications of the screening desired.
Jim Hutchinson – can discuss it with the Planning Office.
Jill Fudo – thinks it should be back before the Board.
Jim Hutchinson – we can approve what we think appropriate, propose something and have OPED check it.
Jill Fudo – time is not of the essence. It’s not part of this project. To be fair and equitable they need to bring something before the Board.
Mike Deming – have them submit an application with appropriate materials listed to OPED.
Jill Fudo – they don’t have to be here but the application does.
Motion to approve the current application as submitted made by Christina Selvek, seconded by Jill Fudo. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
100 South St.
Kathy Divine – requests approval for an in ground pool at the rear of the property with a wrought iron fence around the pool. Has noted four other in ground pools on South St. The pool will not be completely visible from the street and has screening.
Steve Selvek – the building permit is specific to what is needed when applying.
Christina Selvek – initial concern is for visibility but with checking the property it can be seen it will have enough screening.
Jill Fudo – asks about pavement around the pool.
Kathy Divine – whatever comes with the pool – white concrete. Eventually we will put in a stone patio. We want the pool as private as possible.
Christina Selvek – does the proposed fence match an existing fence?
Kathy Divine – the existing fence is chain link and has been there since we bought the property. It is screened by vegetation also.
Jim Hutchinson makes a motion to accept the application as submitted. Seconded by Christina Selvek. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
139 South St.
Phillip Lowe – would like to replace jalousie windows with something more period appropriate. It would be on the 2nd story for 15 windows. The original inset storm and screen were replaced in the 60’s with the Florida type jalousie windows. The proposal is for white casement windows as shown in the brochure and pictures submitted. They would also be more energy efficient.
Mike Deming – the openings would be the same?
Phillip Lowe – yes, the windows here have French doors on the inside. We need to work around them to keep it historically correct.
Mike Deming – questions the number of panes.
Phillip Lowe – they would be full size with double casement. The pictures show the French doors with the grills inside. We can’t get that to match up on the exterior windows.
Jill Fudo – why replacement windows and not regular windows with storms? These look more like storms themselves actually.
Phillip Lowe – the existing single panes windows are not thermal.
Christina Selvek – have you looked at other companies?
Phillip Lowe – yes, this is the only one who can do it and make the clearance needed.
Jill Fudo – is there any documentation that these windows meet historical standards?
Phillip Lowe – no
Jill Fudo – well the windows are still there, he is essentially replacing the storms.
Jim Hutchinson – it will be an improvement
Phillip Lowe – it is also more historically consistent for the time period.
Jill Fudo – the exterior profile is not the same. Vinyl does not have historical significance. This is designed for a shadow line, not to be flush.
Phillip Lowe – the original windows were not flush. This would be more historically appropriate.
Jill Fudo – casement is more appropriate than the jalousie but there are different kinds of casements with different thicknesses and widths or jams. The sash on these is thicker and heavier than what’s historical. The manufacturer needs to be re-evaluated. Paradigm has windows approve for historical districts that are reasonable and efficient.
Mike Deming – the exterior windows should not over power the interior windows.
Jim Hutchinson – there is still a problem with depth.
Phillip Lowe – dealing with one that’s actually less than what is there. We want the outside windows to ‘disappear’ so the inner window is what’s showing.
Mike Deming – there are no dimensions to go by in the brochure. If it meets what is needed we could approve it.
Phillip Lowe – if it matches or is less than what is there…?
Mike Deming – can you come back?
Phillip Lowe – can it be approved conditional that the measurements comply?
Jill Fudo – you are not allowed to make a non-conforming use worse. By putting mullions in the middle and casings it’s making a non-conforming use worse.
Phillip Lowe – ones I’ve seen merge to each other.
Mike Deming – can we give him window requirements to follow and approve the app?
Jim Hutchinson – the width of the box and sash is not to exceed the interior.
Steve Selvek – the surface area of the glass of the exterior window is to be larger than the interior window. The existing sash is greater than the replacement. With installation it should be flush with the façade or set back.
Jill Fudo – no room to set back.
Phillip Lowe – the frame of the window is flush with the house then 1 - 1 ¼ inch reveal all around.
Steve Selvek – consider the color of the exterior – paint to match the trim? White is appropriate.
Jill Fudo – consider using wood reproduction for front windows.
Phillip Lowe – the problem with that is that it would need a 25-foot ladder twice a year to install/remove. It’s doable but not feasible.
Christina Selvek – looked at wood – doesn’t fit ½
Phillip Lowe – couldn’t find less than 1 ¼, would’ve gone past the exterior of the house.
Steve Selvek – so the motion would be to recommend approval with the following contingencies:
· The surface area of the exterior glass is equal to or less than the interior glass;
· The existing opening is maintained;
· Continued use and preservation of the interior windows.
Jim Hutchinson – so moved.
Phillip Lowe – point 2 – we would not open beyond the original openings, some of the jalousies were built in.
Steve Selvek – understood.
Motion seconded by Judith Bryant. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
70 South St.
John Simpson – proposal is to install 16 heaters to replace the boiler system.
Steve Selvek – the application submitted included an example of the vents for the direct vent heaters. A 3 inch hole will be drilled into the façade of the building for the vent. From the exterior one would see a stainless steel circle protruding from the façade.
Jill Fudo – it would not be facing the street and not visible?
Jim Hutchinson – it will be visible from the street on the sides of the building.
Jill Fudo – is the piping from the boiler so decayed it can’t be used for a new boiler?
John Simpson – it isn’t any good and can’t be replaced.
Jim Hutchinson – doesn’t know why the boiler can’t be replaced.
Christina Selvek – there is a problem with drilling through the bricks as it would compromised them and the wall.
Jim Hutchinson – they are very visible – maybe one. He wants to supply one to each unit.
Christina Selvek – there are other options.
Jim Hutchinson – the least destructive is to separate the hot water boilers
Steve Selvek – this being steam is a single pipe system.
Jim Hutchinson – probably 2 pipe.
Steve Selvek – going over to water is ok with 2 pipe. Single pipe is more difficult. Other options given. Consider individual geothermal units. Piping is similar to running water lines.
Mike Deming – is this aesthetically acceptable for the historic district?
Christina Selvek – it is not acceptable. It’s good he’s working on the problem and keeping up the building. He will need to come up with another solution to heat the units.
Mike Deming – no vote yet but what is the consensus of the Board?
John Simpson – I am trying to be energy efficient.
Steve Selvek – this is not historically appropriate.
John Simpson – there are no alternatives.
Steve Selvek – separate systems would do the same. There are other alternatives. You can appeal any decision to the City Council and they could over-ride it. Send me a letter stating you would like to go before Council.
Christina Selvek – makes motion for the application
Steve Selvek – make the motion in the affirmative.
Christina Selvek – so moved. Seconded by Jim Hutchinson. All members vote to deny the application. Motion denied.
Mike Deming – these do not exist anywhere.
Jim Hutchinson – also vapor will be coming out everywhere.
Jill Fudo – what happened with the letters that go to new homeowners?
Jim Hutchinson – it was in the paper as a property transfer to Cornell University. Check current owners.
Steve Selvek – the letters went out to all current homeowners at that time. There is an interdepartmental break down in getting the info.
Christina Selvek – we should send Mr. Simpson a follow up letter.
Steve Selvek – the denial letter will outline the appeal process. If the Board has concerns they should be available for Council.
Judith Bryant – indicate alternatives in a letter.
Steve Selvek – yes, I will indicate that.
Christina Selvek – we need to show that we are working with him.
Mike Deming asks for a motion to accept the minutes. Christina Selvek points out a few errors. Motion made by Christina Selvek, seconded by Jim Hutchinson. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
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