SCENIC & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AUGUST 28, 2023 3:00 PM
COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS – CITY HALL
S&H Case No.: 16-23 Zone: S&H
185 Genesee Street Cert. of Appropriateness
Applicant: Adirondack Bank
Owner: ADRON
In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-44 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to make exterior improvements at the above referenced property.
The applicant is proposing to remove the existing bronze colored vertical seamed metal material on the facade of the building at the entry to the bank. This metal will be replaced with stone infill at the recessed areas on each side of the entrance. New dark anodized metal will be installed vertically. The ADK Bank tree logo of silver brushed aluminum will be affixed to the metal.
S&H Case No.: 17-23 Zone: S&H
1205 Park Avenue Cert. of Appropriateness
Applicant: Yanileth Pastore
Owner: Yanileth Pastore
In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-44 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to legitimize the installation of a fence at the above referenced property.
The applicant has installed six (6) sections of a black aluminum fence with wood borders and wood posts. The fence will run along the inside edge of the public sidewalk. The applicant has expressed concerns that he has had homeless people sleeping on the lot next door to the apartment building and he is looking to secure the area. Mr. Pastore has stated that the lot will still be visible since the fence is an open style fence.
The applicant will be required to receive an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals due to the proposed height of the fence.
S&H Case No.: 18-23 Zone: S&H
2042 Genesee Street Cert. of Appropriateness
Applicant: Manisha Bai Kethavath
Owner: Manisha Bai Kethavath
In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-44 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to make exterior improvements at the above referenced property.
The applicant is proposing to install white vinyl siding to the entire home. The applicant has stated that the clapboards are deteriorating. They have expressed concerns that bees have infiltrated the wood on the home in several locations. The siding will seal up any gaps or holes that are existing. The wood clapboards will remain on the house, the vinyl will be placed over the top of it.
S&H Case No.: 19-23 Zone: S&H
7 Hopper Street Cert. of Appropriateness
Applicant: Nicholas Passalocqua
Owner: 7 Hopper Street LLC
In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-44 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to make exterior improvements at the above referenced property.
The applicant has previously installed signage at the property. A 10’ x 15’ banner style sign has been installed on the side of the building. A smaller sign has been installed on the front of the building. A wood free standing sign has also been installed in the grass area in the front of the property perpendicular to the street.
In accordance with Section 2-29-134 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the maximum size permitted for wall signage in the Central Business District is 60 sf. The applicant will be required to receive an area variance from the Zoning Board for the increase in size, if this is approved by this Commission.
The applicant is also proposing to paint the trim on the exterior of the brick structure. The paint colors will be Benjamin Moore HC-166 – Kendall Charcoal and HC-190 Black.
S&H Case No.: 20-23 Zone: S&H
100 Rutger Street Cert. of Appropriateness
Applicant: C. Jeffrey Taw, AIA
Owner: HP Utica Preservation LLC
In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-44 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to make exterior improvements at the above referenced property.
The exterior masonry will be re-pointed as needed and Springtide plans to replace the existing aluminum sliding windows in the apartment units and sliding glass doors on the balconies with better energy efficiency. Along with these improvements, the units will all be upgraded with new HVAC systems to enhance the comfort of the tenants. Currently the units rely on sliding glass windows for ventilation and small electric heaters for heating. Some units had air conditioning inserted in the sidelight of the sliding glass doors for cooling in the living rooms only. The new HVAC systems will include PTAC units for heating and cooling which will be mounted below the new window systems in place of what is currently a decorative asbestos panel. PTACs will also be installed in the sidelight of the balcony doors (not visible behind the concrete balconies).
The new windows will be a dark bronze colored polymer clad metal framed window system as manufactured by INTUS and will utilize a hopper window for ventilation when cooling is not needed. The hopper units are safer for high-rise tenant use than sliding windows and will have their operational opening limited per code.
The new configuration of the bedroom windows will be as follows:
- Slab edge will be covered with dark bronze aluminum flashing to replace the existing detail.
- A louver section inside the window frame system for the PTAC unit with 3/4″ spacing and dark bronze finish, proportioned to replicate the original dark bronze suspected asbestos panel.
- The hopper operating unit with a fixed glass panel. All materials will be dark bronze in color to match the original design.
- Existing stucco panels above first-floor windows will be replaced with new EIFS at the bedroom windows, and re-finished at the sliding glass doors, and entrance doors. The finish will be brown to match the dark bronze finishes.
Aluminum storefronts at the first floor and lower level will be replaced to match existing. Lower-level window units will either incorporate transoms with spandrel glass concealing views above the ceiling space inside or louvers for mechanical ventilation needs. The new units and louvers will be dark bronze to match existing.
There are several mechanical louvers at the lower floor levels which will either be removed and in-filled with salvaged brick or replaced with new louvers with a dark bronze finish.
A two-story addition is planned on the east elevation to enclose a Limited Use/Limited Application (LULA) elevator which will provide accessibility from the first floor, which is the primary tenant entry and the lower level which is being renovated to provide tenant amenity spaces. The existing elevators do not go to the lower level, as that level was originally planned as lease space and not for tenant use. The existing structure does not allow for extending the elevator to the lower level. The LULA was selected as it provides accessibility in the smallest possible configuration.
The addition will be constructed with insulated concrete block units known as Spec-Brik® due to the tight conditions dictated by the existing window and balcony configuration. The block provides structure, insulation and a finish that compliments the existing brick. The Spec-Brik Syracuse Blend color very nearly matches the existing brown brick on the façade. The addition will be capped by a standing seam metal shed roof, also in a dark bronze; trim will be painted off-white to match the color of the concrete banding. The shed roof will direct water away from the building and prevent collection of any debris that may be dropped from upper balconies. The site work will include patching, sealing and striping the parking lot and installation of a 6′-0″ aluminum picket-style fence at the perimeter of the site for security enhancement. The fence will include gates at the east entry and the west egress from the lot. We understand a variance will be needed for the height of the fence.
