Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chair; Richard Martin; Robert DeMarco ABSENT: Robert West; Staci Mannion; Karen Cavotta STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator Planning & Economic Development Tony Izzo, Assistant City Attorney CALL TO ORDER: Chair Steven Rowland called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the proceedings of this meeting are being taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript of the recording. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR Steven Rowland, Chairman discussed the possibility of a Consent Agenda for simple signage applications before the Board. Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo stated the Consent Agenda could be implemented, however if there was public comment regarding such an application the item would be then removed from the Consent Agenda and returned as an Agenda Item. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION 1. 2012.050 FRIVOLOUS, 385 Broadway, Historic Review of sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Cutter Darch, Adirondack Sign Rob DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the application of Frivolous Boutique Wall Sign, 383-385 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved as submitted. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 2. 2012.051 SARATOGA STYLE, 384 Broadway, Historic Review of sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Cutter Darch, Adirondack Sign Rob DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the application of Saratoga Style Wall Sign, 383-385 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved as submitted. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 3. 2012.049 THE NATIONAL (SARATOGA NATIONAL), 383 Broadway, Historic Review of sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Cutter Darch, Adirondack Sign Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the application of The National Wall Sign, 383-385 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved as submitted. Seconded by Richard Martin. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 4. 2012.044 SARATOGA DEBUT, 53 Church Street, Architectural Review of new sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Cutter Darch, Adirondack Sign Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the application of Saratoga Debut, 53 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved with the following conditions – that the overlay frame which boarder the signs be of a width of 2 inches and painted grey so as to carry more weight on the perimeter of the sign. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 – page 2 of 6 NOTE: Agenda Items were heard out of order – no representative present for Agenda Item #5. 6. 2012.047 HENRY STREET TAPHOUSE, 86 Henry Street, Architectural Review of new sign in Transect-5 District. Agent: Cutter Darch, Adirondack Sign Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the application of Henry Street Taphouse, 86 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved with the following conditions – Approval is for the sign only. The applicant must provide cut details on the light fixtures which can be approved administratively. Seconded by Richard Martin. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 7. 2012.048 RIDHA MEDICAL OFFICE SIGN, 83 Railroad Place, Architectural Review of new sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Dave Cape Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the application of Ridha Medical Office Sign, 83 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved as submitted. Seconded by Richard Martin. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 8. 2012.052 LENA LANE PATIO, Lena Lane, Historic Review of outdoor patio in Transect-6 District. Applicant: Joe Mack, Owner 43 Phila Street. Discussion ensued regarding the concept of the outdoor patio on Lena Lane. Tabled until July 5, 2012. 9. 2012.039 PLAYMORE FARMS/BEST WESTERN, 3291 Route 9 (South Broadway), City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 – page 3 of 6  Architectural Review of siding and roof in the Tourist Related Business District. Agent: Sue Davis, Atelier Architecture Sue Davis gave a brief background on the project which was initiated in 2004 with the new hotel building. There was actually at that time a master plan with the new hotel and the existing building redoing that and the pool. It has taken quite a bit of time in terms of phasing this project. We are looking to tie this project together with the existing building which is falling into disrepair. Changes have been made to the east elevation, just a minor change. Discussion ensued regarding location of mechanicals, window sizes, landscaping, and location of air conditioning condensers. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the application of Playmore Farms/Best Western, 329 1 Route 9 (South Broadway), that the application be approved with the following conditions – all colors and textures to match as close as possible to the existing new building. All plumbing and heating penetrations will be to the west and the north elevation including a/c condensers. Landscaping, if possible, to be laid out to soften the east elevation smaller windows. Also that the present bump out to the north elevation will be the same or larger if allowed by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 5. 2012.046 VIRGIL'S HOUSE, 37 Henry Street, Architectural Review of new sign in the Transect-6 District. Rob DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the Virgil's House, 37 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, New York that the application be approved with the following condition – that the penetrations for electrical and sign occur in mortar joints. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 B. 2012.053 ADVISORY OPINION-ZONING ORDINANCE, Citywide, Advisory Opinion of Revised Zoning Ordinance. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 – page 4 of 6 Following a presentation to the City Council on June 4, 2012, a presentation to a Joint Meeting of the Land Use Boards on June 11, 1012 and discussion at the June 20, 2012 Design Review Commission meeting, the Design Review Commission has reviewed the proposed revisions to the City of Saratoga Springs Zoning Ordinance and offers the following:  Favorable Opinion In general, the organization of the document is much improved. The language within the document is less confusing, more direct and more user-friendly. There is now an improved logical progression creating a more easily- followed set rules, process and guidance on creating sound development in the City. With respect to the Articles on Historic Review and Architectural Review, the revised language is now much more consistent with model language endorsed by the Preservation League of New York and by the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The revisions have reinforced the intent and objectives of the City's design review, have improved the process for applicants seeking approval from the DRC, and have made the City's regulations more legally defensible. As such, the Design Review Commission fully endorses the proposed revisions to the Zoning Ordinance and, hereby provides a favorable opinion on the revisions for the City Council's consideration. Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion for a Positive Advisory Opinion to the City Council on the Revised Zoning Ordinance. Seconded by Richard Martin. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2012 with minor corrections. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS: Design Review Commission Caravan and Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 – page 5 of 6 Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Richard Martin. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 1/3/13 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 – page 6 of 6