HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
P.O. Box 65
Accord, NY 12404
Minutes
Monday, March 16, 2015 – 3:00 p.m.
Present: Bill Collier, Alice Cross, Frank Dannecker, Walter Levy, Ward Mintz, Alice Schoonmaker.
Others present: Sherry Chachkin, Town Board Liaison; Neil Larson, consultant.
Minutes – November 25, 2014 Minutes were accepted with motion made by Alice Schoonmaker, seconded by Ward Mintz and passed.
Alligerville Historic District Project – We await results of NYSHPO Review meeting on March 25, 2015 where Bill Krattinger will present the application prepared by Neil Larson for State and National Register status for the Alligerville Historic District. Following expected approval, including from Washington (by July), HPC will plan a celebratory gathering of Alligerville property owners; hopefully to be held in the schoolhouse, tentatively scheduled for July 18, 2015 from 4-6 p.m. Walter will ask David Lawrence about use of the schoolhouse.
Suggestion was made that four signs announcing the Historic District be made for Berme Rd., Towpath Road and County Route #6 in both directions.
Neil Larson will send copies of the Historic Register Application (text and photographs) to Ward and Sherry for placement on the TOR web site.
Watering Trough, Alligerville – Bill Collier placed the order for the sign in December, 2014 using $1139.00 in Town funds from the 2014 Budget for HPC. A mock-up of the sign had two spelling errors. (Note: after the meeting, Bill contacted Catskill Castings; the sign had not been made yet, so the errors have been corrected.)
Welcome Signs for highway entrances to Town of Rochester (209N, 209S, 44/55 and secondary roads) – Sherry Chachkin reported that the project is making progress.
Main Street, Accord – Following discussion, it was decided to pursue a Preserve New York grant in support of a historic structure/cultural resource survey, to be prepared by Neil Larson, with the purpose of stimulating community interest in preservation and revitalization of the hamlet of Accord (known as Port Jackson during the nineteenth century). This is not aimed at historic district formation at this time.
Alice Cross will contact Erin Tobin of the Preservation League of NY in the effort to gain her approval of our grant application in support of a Survey of the Hamlet of Accord. Then Neil would prepare the grant application which is due by April 13, 2015. Alice will send to Neil information on Accord from the Museum files. Alice S. and Walter also will send information to Neil.
Storry-Gazlay Property – Ward will send a letter to Building Inspector Gerry Davis, expressing the extreme concern of the HPC about deteriorating condition of the property, emphasizing the historical significance of the barn, which the Bank (holding the mortgage) is considering demolishing.
Liaison Report – Sherry discussed the newly instituted zoning category of “Commercial Events Facility”. Interestingly, the first application to reach the Planning Board is for one of the properties in the proposed Alligerville Historic District, i.e. 607 County Route #6, for use of the barn for a maximum of 12 events per year. HPC will follow this application with close attention. Walter will contact RELC and the property deed for potential conflict with easement on the property.
The former Epworth property on Lucas Turnpike is going to be used as an Animal Sanctuary. (New barn already constructed.) Since this property includes a historic stone house, the HPC could express an opinion on this new use. It was decided that the HPC would not express any disapproval, absent changes made to the stone house.
Next Meeting – Monday, April 20, 2015 at 3:00 p.m., Town Hall.
Adjournment – motion made by Ward Mintz, seconded by Walter Levy and passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Cross, Acting Secretary