🏛️ Historic Preservation Commission
Historic Preservation Commission Adopts Attendance Policy, Approves Siding for Local Business
The Albion Historic Preservation Commission moved its meeting time to 5:30 p.m. and established a policy requiring member resignation after three missed meetings. The commission also approved the use of cement board siding for the rear exterior of Trade 180.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved cement board siding (6"x8") for the back exterior wall of Trade 180 (Carried)
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Moved regular meeting start time from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. effective immediately (Carried)
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Established new caveat requiring resignation after 3 missed meetings within a 12-month period (Carried)
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Accepted meeting minutes from May 2, 2024, and June 20, 2024 (Carried)
The Albion Historic Preservation Commission voted Thursday to strictly enforce member attendance, passing a new policy that could result in the removal of members who miss too many meetings.
The decision came during a brief session on Sept. 19, held in the Village Board Room. The commission, tasked with safeguarding the village’s 19th-century architectural heritage, has faced administrative challenges in the past regarding meeting minutes and attendance records.
During the "New Business" portion of the agenda, the board adopted a new caveat requiring a member’s resignation after three missed meetings within a 12-month period. The motion, made by Commission Chair Mary Anne Braunbach and seconded by Courtney Henderson, was carried by the board.
The vote effectively creates a stricter standard for participation on the board, which oversees alterations to buildings within the historic districts near the Erie Canal.
In other procedural business, the commission voted to shift the time of its regular meetings. Moving forward, the HPC will convene at 5:30 p.m. rather than the previous start time of 4:00 p.m. This change, proposed by Henderson and seconded by Linda Smith, is intended to potentially allow for greater public accessibility or accommodate the schedules of working members.
On the architectural front, the commission reviewed materials for a local business. The board approved the use of cement board siding measuring 6 inches by 8 inches for the back exterior wall of Trade 180. The motion to accept these materials was made by Ian Mowatt.
Historic preservation commissions often scrutinize exterior materials to ensure they are compatible with the character of historic districts. Cement board is a composite material often chosen for durability and resistance to rot, though it is distinct from the wood clapboard or stone typically found on Albion's older structures.
The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. and adjourned at 4:19 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Chair Braunbach, Smith, Henderson, and Mowatt. The meeting minutes from the commission's previous gatherings in May and June—which had been delayed—were also accepted during this session.
Coverage of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on 2024-09-19,
Village of Albion, NY.
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This article was drafted by AI (claude-sonnet-4-20250514) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
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Related Historic Preservation Commission Meetings
2024-10-17
Albion Preservation Board Raises Red Flags Over Unauthorized Downtown Building Work
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Discussed unauthorized work at buildings owned by Angel Javier and Frank Corso.
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Requested Village Codes check interior progress at a property owned by Ms. Pooley.
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Member Tim McMurray to seek CLG certification at the Oct. 23 Village Board meeting.
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Approved minutes from the Sept. 19, 2024 meeting.
2024-10-24
Albion Preservation Board Puts Brakes on Five Star Bank Exterior Plans
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Key Actions & Decisions
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HPC tabled decision on Five Star Bank's back exterior design due to lack of information.
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Board requested material samples and specific paint color names be submitted to the Village.
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Members recommended a single solid color for the exterior rather than the proposed schematic design.
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Board inquired if the proposed lattice work could be removed entirely from the design.
2024-11-21
Holiday Outreach and Bank Facade Work Highlight Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
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Approved colors and materials for the back exterior of Five Star Bank (Vote: Unanimous).
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Decided to halt the pursuit of NYS CLG (Certified Local Government) recertification.
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Initiated plan to send Christmas cards or letters to Historic District residents.
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Directed Chris Kinter and Attorney John Gavenda to draft code changes regarding member removal for attendance.
2024-06-20
Albion Preservation Commission Tackles Roof Repairs, Membership Rules
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for touch-up painting at 101 N. Main St (Naim AbdurRafi) because the project uses the existing color scheme.
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Partially approved roof remediation at 28 East Bank St (Jeff Holler) for the main section, but deferred approval on a small, steep roof section until materials are reviewed.
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Initiated discussion on reducing and redesigning the HPC membership structure; suggested potential changes to village code requiring Planning Board input.
2025-01-02
Historic Preservation Commission Clears Way for Main Street Redevelopment
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of a two-story attached building at 58 Main Street (Motion by Ian Mowatt, seconded by Dan Conrad; carried).
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Authorized site leveling and grading to match the existing parking lot at 58 Main Street.
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Approved the installation of new infrastructure for the entire property.
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Set the next HPC meeting for January 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
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