HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
May 15, 2008
Approved 07/17/2008
Posted 07/23/2008
PRESENT
J. Mitchell, B. Salem, T. Helfrich, L. Mitchell & W. Pieper
ALSO PRESENT
R. Williams, Town Attorney; J. France, Consultant; A. Johnson, Staff Representative; S. Zutes, Town Board Liaison
ABSENT
K. Cristman, P. Whitbeck, J. Bernacki, D. Rowe
LANDMARK DESIGNATION RESOLUTION TO BE RENDERED
65 Mitchell Road, Altier Residence, Tax #164.11-2-11.11
John Mitchell stated that the Public Hearing for 65 Mitchell Road was closed at the last meeting. This discussion was to decide if the entire parcel should be included with the designation in order to include the large and small barns and the corncrib that is to the rear of the property.
After a discussion the board determined that the barns have historic significance and the barns and corncrib will be included with the designation thereby the entire Tax Parcel #164.11-2-11.11 will be designated.
LD#01-08
Roll Call: All Ayes
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS PUBLIC HEARING
784 Stone Road, A. D. Longwell, Tax #164.13-2-43 - requesting to demolish four of the outbuildings on the property and to submit the concept elevations for the new homes to be built in the Cross Meadows/Lusk Farm Subdivision within the Historic District.
John Mitchell opened the Public Hearing for the above-mentioned property.
Before the applicant presented his applications the board members wanted the applications that were submitted corrected stating that this house and the land surrounding it are in a Historic District. The applicant had indicated that this was not the case. The applicant corrected the statement and initialed the correction.
Todd Longwell, A. D. Longwell Builders, presented the applications for the Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of the four outbuildings and for the proposed concept colored renderings for the style of homes to be built in this Historic District. Mr. Longwell stated that the Planning Board as Lead Agency has issued a Negative Declaration and has granted concept approval and has done a SEQRA Resolution on April 28, 2008 for this application. Mr. Longwell outlined the application for the future landscaping around the historic house at 784 Stone Road. They will be adding more trees along the rear property line of the subdivided lot to screen this house from the future road that will be constructed for the new subdivision.
Jean France inquired about putting in a driveway to the new road to the rear of this subdivided lot to give the owners the option of coming out onto Stone Road (which is a very busy road) or coming out onto Cross Meadow Lane then onto Cricket Hill Drive and then to Stone Road at the signal light. This option is the better and safer avenue for a potential buyer.
Todd Longwell responded that it might interfere with the future landscaping and that they were trying to preserve the setting of the older home as it is and adding the driveway to the rear of the property might detract from the setting, but they would certainly offer that opportunity to the new owners of 784 Stone Road.
J. Mitchell stated that the new owners would have to apply to the Town for a curb cut if in the future they wanted to have their driveway access to the future subdivision road.
Todd Longwell stated that they are planning on keeping the garage and just fixing it up, but the other outbuildings will be coming down.
Tom Helfrich wanted to know about the conservation easement to the west of the historic house that was mentioned the last time this was submitted, it does not show up on the submitted plans. Will the land to the west be protected from being built on?
Todd Longwell assured the board that the parcel of land to the west of the house will be in a conservation easement and protected from future construction.
J. Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing regarding the above-mentioned application for 784 Stone Road.
Seconded: B. Salem
There was no additional discussion regarding this application.
J. Mitchell opened the Public Hearing for the proposed concept renderings for the new homes in the Historic District.
Todd Longwell pointed out that these homes will have a low profile and would fit into the setting and will complement the older home at 784 Stone Road. Most of the homes will have side-load garages so that almost all of the homes will have no garage doors on the front of the houses. Most will be a 1-story type house. The style house that would have 2-stories would have the 2nd-story behind the roofline. If there were only 1-story homes it would be to repetitive in the setting. All exposed block will be sided to grade level. The Lots #9, 10 & 11 that back up to Stone Road will be 1-story houses to help maintain the visual impact on the historic property.
R. Williams informed the board that Mr. Longwell was looking to have this board grant him a blanket C of A for the proposed renderings and when he has a buyer for any of the houses he will have to submit the plans to this board for approval. Granting a blanket C of A helps the applicant to sell the homes because he will not have to go through the process of a C of A for each of the eleven houses. The board will have the opportunity to comment on each house as it is submitted to the Building Department for a building permit.
J. Mitchell inquired if there was any chance that all of the houses could have end-load garages?
Todd Longwell stated that they were looking for variety and thought that the change of elevations would be attractive. They will certainly look at that possibility if the board wants him to.
The commission feels that the concept renderings submitted appear to be compatible to the historic house.
Jean France stated the simpler the elevations the better, not too many materials on the homes, simple traditional styles, not too wide columns, generous porches and multiple gables. In general they should look like upstate farmhouses, she is quite pleased with the proposed designs and materials.
J. Mitchell stated that he is pleased with the whole palette and they are compatible with the oldest house in the Town.
Todd Longwell asked if the board would have any objection to introducing brick as a material for any of the houses. In Williamsburg, VA they used brick on the façade but maybe not in this area. The siding would either be a cement fiber siding, vinyl siding, cedar shakes, clapboard siding and high quality insulation. It will not look like Stonetown Hamlet that is across the Stone Road from this property. The Hardy Plank is in keeping with the historic house and some people like vinyl siding for low maintenance cost.
Jean France stated that brick does not belong in this area.
Audrey Johnson mentioned that there was a brickyard in the Town along time ago.
Jean France commented that brick was not on this style of home.
J. Mitchell stated that if the applicant submits a plan with a brick façade they would deal with the materials at that time. J. Mitchell also suggested that Todd Longwell take the colors for the houses from a historic palette, most paint stores have these palettes available. The Commission has requested that the applicant present samples of the homes when he submits a building permit.
J. Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing.
Seconded: Les Mitchell
Roll Call: All Ayes
Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of four outbuildings on the property of 784 Stone Road.
C of A #02-08
Certificate of Appropriateness for the concept drawings for the homes in this subdivision.
C of A #03-08
Roll Call: All Ayes
REVIEW/APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
April 17, 2008 minutes
B. Salem moved to approve the minutes with the corrections.
Seconded: W. Pieper
Roll Call: All Ayes
OLD BUSINESS
- 80 Mitchell Road, property maintenance
B. Salem stated that they have done their duty bringing the situation regarding the securing the garage and the removal of the small barn that is already partially caved in to the attention of the Town authorities. The State is responsible for the demo of the small barn. The Town should contact the property authority regarding this property.
T. Helfrich stated that the Town has done nothing to secure this property and have the small barn demoed.
R. Williams will look into the safety and security issue and report back to the board. - Spring House, 3001 Monroe Avenue historic marker sign - Audrey Johnson/Rich Williams.
R. Williams stated Don Lasher, Buckingham Properties, would reimburse the Town for the purchase of the new sign and post to be installed in front of the Spring House at 3001 Monroe Avenue. Audrey Johnson will put together the information and pricing and present the information to the Town Board along with the pricing for a sign to be installed in front of 784 Stone Road as the oldest home in the Town of Pittsford. Once this price is established Buckingham Properties will pay for the historic sign and have it installed. - Updating Bero Survey - no update at this time.
- 564 Mendon Road
Rich Williams has been approached by the realtor for this property and he wanted to know if there was a possibility that the board would consider amending the designation of this parcel to downsize the amount of land that was included in the designation. The realtor is having a problem selling the house with that much land and would like to separate the house and possibly the barn from the rest of the parcel. This home was designated as a Town of Pittsford Landmark in 1991 and the parcel is approximately 4 acres. The barn is on the parcel of land that was included in the designation and is in good shape.
J. Mitchell stated that the realtor needs to present his application to the board regarding the downsizing of the property and whether or not the barn was included with the designation. The Commission has requested permission to do a site visit and get in to see the barn.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2008
W. Pieper moved to adjourn. Seconded: B. Salem
Respectfully submitted,
Sandie Freitag
HPC Secretary
OFFICIAL BOARD MINUTES ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK