🏛️ Historic Preservation Commission
Albion Preservation Board Puts Brakes on Five Star Bank Exterior Plans
The Historic Preservation Commission declined to approve a back exterior design for Five Star Bank on Oct. 24, citing insufficient detail regarding materials and colors. The board requested physical samples and a simplified color scheme before moving forward.
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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.
Developments at the Five Star Bank branch in the Village of Albion hit a pause button Thursday evening, as the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) declined to sign off on a proposed redesign of the building’s rear exterior.
During a brief meeting that lasted less than 20 minutes, commission members unanimously agreed that the current proposal lacks the necessary detail for a review. The bank's Chief Executive Officer, Chris Kinter, was present to outline the plans, which included a design diagram for the back of the building.
However, according to the meeting minutes, the commission concluded they could not make a determination without more specific information.
This discussion is part of an ongoing review process for the bank, which operates within the village’s historic district. Any exterior changes typically require HPC approval to ensure they align with the character of Albion’s 19th-century architecture and the Erie Canal heritage area.
The commission raised specific concerns regarding the aesthetic elements of the project. Members expressed a clear preference for a simpler look, requesting that the bank move away from the schematic design presented in favor of one solid color.
To ensure the materials match the village's historic standards, the HPC is asking for tangible proof before the next review. They requested that a sample of the material intended for use be mailed directly to the Village for inspection. They also asked for the specific names of the paint colors proposed for the project, rather than relying on the diagrams provided.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the building’s structural features. The commission inquired whether the lattice work included in the design could be removed entirely. Lattice work is often a point of contention in historic preservation, as it can sometimes appear incongruous with the solid masonry or clapboard styles common in Albion’s older structures.
The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. The motion to adjourn was made by Linda Smith and seconded by Ian Mowatt.
Residents can expect the bank to return to the commission at a future date once the material samples and color specifications are submitted. The commission includes members Mary Anne Braunbach, Linda Smith, Dan Conrad, Courtney Henderson, and Ian Mowatt. Joyce Riley was also listed as present at the meeting.
Coverage of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on 2024-10-24,
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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