Historic Resources Commission

Meetings

  • 6 pm
  • Monthly
  • Albany Community Development Agency
    200 Henry Johnson Boulevard
    Community Room
    Albany, NY 12210

Virtual Meetings

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the moratorium on public gatherings, meetings will be held via YouTube until further notice. 

2021 Meeting Dates*

January 6 WApril 7 WJuly 7 WOctober 6 W
January 20 MApril 21 MJuly 21 MOctober 20 M
February 3 WMay 5 WAugust 4 WNovember 3 W
February 17 MMay 19 MAugust 18 MNovember 17 M
March 3 WJune 2 WSeptember 1 WDecember 1 W
March 17 MJune 16 MSeptember 15 MDecember 15 M
*W=Workshop, M=Meeting

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) consists of nine members appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Common Council. The presence of five members of the Commission constitutes a quorum, and the concurring vote of five members is required to carry out an action.

  • John Myers, Chair
  • Jennifer Geraghty
  • Chris Hacker
  • Marilyn Kaplan
  • Jack McEneny
  • Lee Pinckney
  • Norman Rice
  • Erin Tobin

Responsibilities

HRC is charged to conserve and protect historic sites, structures and other landmarks that have special value or interest to the City, in accordance with the Albany's General City Code Chapter 42 Part 4 Article XII (Sections 42-82 to 42-97), and pursuant to the City's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance.

Duties

Albany's Historic Resources Commission (HRC) is appointed to:

  • Administer and regulate the appearance of the adopted historic districts
  • Protect their significant character
  • Review all proposed alterations or additions to any structure or landmark that fall within, or adjacent to, a local Historic District
  • Safeguard the archeological or cultural integrity in the best interest of the community

Review by the HRC is also required for demolition of any designated structure, and for new construction, in or adjacent to a local Historic District.

Historic Preservation Planning

HRC supports the Historic Preservation Plan as an effective tool to expand on existing and future preservation programming and preservation initiatives. Read the Historic Preservation Plan (September 30, 2019).

Historic Districts

Albany's Historic Districts were established in accordance with the City's Historic Resources Ordinance. These districts serve to preserve and protect:

  • Buildings
  • Places
  • Sites
  • Special historic or aesthetic interest
  • Structures
  • Works of art and other objects having a special character
  • Any other particular value to the City

Though some of Albany's Historic Districts have been Nationally designated (National Register of Historic Places), the City only maintains oversight for the locally designated districts, which have been adopted by the Common Council. The City has sixteen locally designated historic districts and four districts that are National recognized.

Local & National Historic Districts & Places

  1. General Historic District Boundaries (PDF)
  2. Historic Districts with Adjacent Property (PDF)
  3. Locally and Nationally Registered Historic Districts and Sites in Albany (PDF)