I. Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 3 I.1 Purpose of the Guidelines............................................................................................................................3 I.2 How to Use the Guidelines...........................................................................................................................3 I.3 Why Should I Preserve My Historic Building?.........................................................................................4 I.4 State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits and Local Incentives...................................................... 4 I.5 A Brief Overview of the History of Cohoes............................................................................................... 5 II. The Historic Overlay District and Board Procedures.........................................................6 II.1 History and Creation of the Cohoes Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board and Development of a Historic Preservation Policy for Cohoes........................................................................... 6 II.2 The Historic Overlay District of Cohoes.................................................................................................. 6 II.2.a Harmony Mills Historic District........................................................................................................ 6 II.2.b Downtown Cohoes Historic District.................................................................................................. 7 II.2.c Olmstead Street Historic District....................................................................................................... 7 II.2.d Enlarged Eric Canal Sites Historic District......................................................................................7 II.3 How the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board Works............................................. 8 II.4 Projects Requiring HPARB Review......................................................................................................... 8 II.5 Projects Not Reviewed by the HPARB.....................................................................................................8 II.6 General Guidelines for the COA Application and Review Process:......................................................9 II.7 Frequently Asked Questions....................................................................................................................10 III. Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Existing Structures and Materials.........................10 III.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................10 III.2 Masonry................................................................................................................................................... 11 General Guidelines...................................................................................................................................... 11 III.3 Wood........................................................................................................................................................ 12 General Guidelines...................................................................................................................................... 12 Guidelines for Painting Wood.................................................................................................................... 13 III.4 Siding........................................................................................................................................................14 Types of Wood Siding..................................................................................................................................14 Repair or Replacement of Siding............................................................................................................... 14 Resurfacing...................................................................................................................................................14 Notes on Vinyl and Aluminum Siding....................................................................................................... 14 III.5 Metal.........................................................................................................................................................15 III.6 Doors and Windows................................................................................................................................15 Notes on Lead Paint and Historic Windows..............................................................................................17 Shutters.........................................................................................................................................................18 Awnings........................................................................................................................................................ 18 III.7 Roofs.........................................................................................................................................................18 General considerations for roofs................................................................................................................ 18 Guide to Slate Replacement and Repair....................................................................................................19 Chimneys and Other Areas of Moisture Penetration...............................................................................19 III.8 Porches..................................................................................................................................................... 20 III.9 Commercial Buildings............................................................................................................................ 20 General Considerations for Commercial Structures................................................................................20 Storefronts....................................................................................................................................................21 Upper Facade............................................................................................................................................... 22 Guidelines for Designing Replacement Storefronts..................................................................................22 III.10 Accessory or Auxiliary Buildings........................................................................................................ 23 Specific Guidelines for Outbuildings:........................................................................................................23 III.11 Mechanical Equipment and Accessories............................................................................................23 Heating and Cooling Equipment................................................................................................................23 1 Satellite Dishes and Antennas.....................................................................................................................23 Utilities..........................................................................................................................................................23 Vending Machines....................................................................................................................................... 23 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).........................................................................................................23 III.12 Signs........................................................................................................................................................24 Free-Standing Signage.................................................................................................................................24 III.13 Lighting..................................................................................................................................................24 III.14 Walls and Fences...................................................................................................................................25 III.15 Decks, Patios, and Pools....................................................................................................................... 25 III.16 Accessibility........................................................................................................................................... 25 Addressing Accessibility in the District..................................................................................................... 25 IV Public Spaces and Landscape Areas...................................................................................26 IV.1 Streetscapes..............................................................................................................................................26 IV.2 Walkways, Driveways and Parking Lots.............................................................................................. 26 V. Design Guidelines for New Construction and Additions...................................................27 V.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................27