SH 10-25-21

Scenic & Historic meeting

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SCENIC & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

OCTOBER 25, 2021        4:00 PM

COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS – CITY HALL

 

 

S&H Case No.: 26-21                                                   Zone: S&H

503 Pleasant Street                                                     Cert. of Appropriateness

Applicant:  Placido Heraclio

Owner:  Placido Heraclio

 

In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-294 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 a 3-4’ high picket style wood fence along the back of the driveway.  The fence extends off the rear edge of the home out toward the east property line.  The applicant has also enclosed the rear yard with a 6’ high wood stockade fence.  The applicant will be required to receive an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the 6’ fence do to the location of the fence.

 

 

S&H Case No.: 27-21                                                        Zone: S&H

1633 Genesee Street                                                       Cert. of Appropriateness

Applicant:  Joseph P. Caruso

Owner:  Joseph P. Caruso

 

In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-294 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to extend a driveway and remove a tree at the above referenced property.

 

The applicant is proposing to extend the width of the driveway to extend from the side property line to the edge of the home.  The driveway will not encroach the front yard of the home.  The existing driveway will be widened by approximately 1’-2’.

 

The applicant is also proposing to remove a large mature deciduous tree directly in front of the home.  He has stated that it is dangerously close to the housing, is diseased and has a large gash in the trunk of the tree on the north side.  The tree regularly loses branches.  A similar tree was removed on the other side of the property as a result from damage sustained from a storm in 2011.

 

S&H Case No.: 28-21                                                 Zone: S&H

1431 Genesee Street                                                 Cert. of Appropriateness

Applicant:  Carmina Wood Morris DPC

Owner:  Liberty Affordable Housing Inc.

 

In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-294 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 project entails the complete renovation and reactivation of the Olbiston Flats building, per the Department of   Interior Standards for Historic Preservation, as the project will be seeking Historic Tax Credits under the review of New York SHPO and the National Park Service. In doing so historic finishes will be maintained and restored where ever feasible, and where too badly deteriorated replaced in kind. Historic/ existing orientation and layouts of residential units   to be respected and largely reused to create 150 residential apartments, ranging from Studios to 2 Bedrooms. Project will also be procuring Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) financial support, and therefore will be constructed in compliance with all the design guidelines and expectations of the State. Specifically speaking, externally the windows will be largely replaced with Aluminum Clad Double Hung units matching the profiles of the historic units virtually exactly.

 

Existing masonry where brick to be restored, repointed and stabilized. Where sandstone, materials to be carefully cleaned and evaluated, restored where feasible, and if beyond repair, replaced with GFRC finished and colored to match / blend into existing fabric. Complex will be brought into full Building Code and ADA accessibility compliance, including reactivation of existing elevators, and extension of said elevations to grade at the rear of the building to improve access and egress. To accommodate a new glass vestibule will be built surrounding the base of the non-historic elevator shafts bring patrons from the rear parking lot and recreation space. Non-historic additions currently existing attached and to the rear of the historic structure to be demolished and original fenestration pattern returned to the building. As a part of the funding streams, sustainable or green design decisions are being made to ensure an environmentally responsible and sustainable project.

 

The Olbiston Apartments building is currently condemned and uninhabitable. General decay, deterioration and decades of differed maintenance are clearly evident even from the exterior. Significant areas of brick repointing and repair can be seen, as are necessary areas of sandstone repair/ replacement in-kind. Existing glazing is often fixed shut, or show signs of alteration repair during period of disinvestment. Extensive water damage can be seen throughout the interior, particularly on the upper floors, with partial roof collapse documented in one unit. Despite condition building is certainly salvageable and retains sufficient character for listing on the National Registry.

 

 

S&H Case No.: 29-21                                                       Zone: S&H

1018-1022 Park Avenue                                                  Cert. of Appropriateness

Applicant:  Matthew W. Meier, AIA

Owner:  Artspace

 

In accordance with the requirements contained in Section 2-29-294 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Utica, the applicant is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to construct a four-story apartment building at the referenced properties. 

 

The three (3) existing unused properties will be consolidated and developed into an affordable housing (live/work) apartment development. The proposed project is a four story, +/- 40,000 GSF, 41 unit (35 - 1BR, 6 - 2BR) NYSHCR-funded new building. The existing curb cut along Park Avenue is planned to be retained (if possible) and reused, entering and exiting on the east side with the south (front) facade of the 4-story building along Park Avenue.  Approximately 45 parking spaces will be created. The ground floor level will include the building entry lobby/gallery and community use spaces, as well as ground floor apartments.

 

Building identity signage will be anticipated, on the Park Ave (south) entry side, as well as the parking lot (north) side. Future public mural may be added to the western stair tower wall.

 

This project conveys an "urban" building form suitable for a Main thoroughfare, with masonry and storefront on the ground floor, and entablature cornice separating ground floor from more private/residential upper floors. Specific thought was given to facade treatments on the eastern side of the facade to create an open, welcoming, artist's plaza which can connect to the City's new plan for pedestrian pathways to a re-envisioned multi-purpose parking area behind the public parking lot adjacent to the Stanley Theatre. Signage is minimal; to include building identity and wayfinding.