Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chair; Richard Martin; Robert West Staci Mannion; Karen Cavotta; Rob DeMarco STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator Planning & Economic Development CALL TO ORDER: Steven Rowland, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 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. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION 1. 2012.062 CANFIELD CASINO RAMP REPAIRS, Congress Park, Historic Review of accessible ramp repairs in the Institutional-Parkland/Recreation District. Applicant: City of Saratoga Springs. Agent: Deborah LaBrech, Assistant City Engineer. Ms. LaBrech, Assistant City Engineer gave a brief overview of the project, outlining specific materials to be used and what new technologies are being implemented to help prevent moisture issues which were previously present. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience would like to comment on this application. None heard. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the application of the Canfield Casino Ramp Repairs, Congress Park that the application be approved as submitted with or without a full height membrane. Seconded by Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman. 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; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 2. 2012.060 BOCA BISTRO AWNING, 384 Broadway, Historic Review of an awning in the Transect-6 District. Applicant: Nancy Bambera The applicant states they are requesting approval for two retractable awnings. No signage is requested at this time. The awnings are chocolate brown in color. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion in the matter of the application of the Boca Bistro Awning, 384 Broadway, that the application be approved as submitted. Seconded by Robert West. 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; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 3. 2012.004 THIRSTY OWL WINE COMPANY & BISTRO, 184 South Broadway, Architectural Review of signage in mixed use building in the Transect-5 District. RECUSAL: Steven Rowland, Chairman, recused. Richard Martin, recused. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman assumed the duties of the Chair for this application. Agent: Cutter Darch, Adirondack Sign The agent for the applicant is requesting approval for signage. Two wall signs are requested and one freestanding carved sign to be placed on the front corner of the property. The height of the proposed freestanding sign is 7 feet with carved lettering. Colors will be a burgundy wine color and Nantucket grey. Lighting will be a gooseneck fixture. The two wall signs City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – page 2 of 6 will be carved signs as well. One will be west facing on South Broadway. This is an allowed wall sign, the other wall sign with frontage on Lincoln will require an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals . Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there were any further questions. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of the Thirsty Owl Wine Company and Bistro Signage, 184 South Broadway, that the application be approved as submitted with the exception of the east facing wall sign which will require an Area Variance for placement on this side of the building. Seconded by Robert West. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman resumed his position on the Board. Richard Martin resumed his position on the Board. 4. 2012.058 17 MAPLE, LLC, 17 Maple Avenue, Architectural Review to erect tent, bar and decks in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Matt Hurff, Frost Hurff Architects. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Commission made a site visit for clarification purposes on dimensional issues. Matthew Hurff, Frost Hurff Architects stated the 20 x 20 front tent will give pedestrian accessibility. The applicant is proposing a material panel placed behind the fencing which will be taken down during the winter. The top edge will be secured with J straps. The stage canopy will also be disassembled at the end of the season. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. Mark Strauss, owner of the Marketplace stated many of the concerns he had were addressed at the site visit. He did have concern regarding the window at the rear of the tent structure. The agent for the applicant explained the situation for Mr. Strauss and it met with his approval. Rob DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the application of 17 Maple Avenue, LLC, 17 Maple Avenue that the application be approved as submitted on the plans dated July 18, 2012. Seconded by Staci Mannion. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – page 3 of 6 VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 7-0 5. 2009.005 BOFF RESIDENCE, 66 Franklin Street, Consideration of Draft EIS for demolition and rebuild in the Urban Residential-4 District. (Historic Review). RECUSAL: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman recused. Robert West recused. Applicant: Joseph Boff Agent: Anthony Ianniello, Attorney Ianniello, Anderson, Sciocchetti & Reilly, PC Matthew I. Mazure, Attorney, Ianniello, Anderson, Sciocchetti, & Reilly, PC Steven Rowland, Chairman stated some revisions were made to the draft EIS regarding the wording so that it is a little less conflicting and a little more appropriate since it is coming from the Board. Some of the editing which was done was the statement regarding the building is not lost, it is there, it still exists and somebody could potentially renovate it if they had the wherewithal to do so. We want to make sure the language is consistent. Mr. Boff stated he does not agree with the statement that the building is not lost. Mr. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Board asked for some clarification on the plan of Landscaping. It made reference to the other building proposals which were submitted previously on that property which is another item we were looking to have denoted in some way. We asked for clarification on what the ultimate plan is. The landscaping plan is included and clarified and those buildings were included just as a reference to show what might happen there at some point in the future but that is not the plan at this time. Steven Rowland, Chairman, continued stating the Board is trying to reach a point where they can say that the draft EIS is accepted as complete. Following the acceptance of the draft EIS the Board will begin the 30 day public comment period and potentially set the public hearing which is at the Board's discretion. The applicant's agent briefly summarized the revisions which were made and returned to the Board in the revised draft EIS document. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Board spent considerable time reviewing the document and returning the draft with comments to the applicant. The Board is more comfortable now some language modification and items we have requested for inclusion in the draft EIS are now listed. We know that some opinions have surfaced, that it is a thin draft EIS, but there are not a multitude of things which were issued in the positive declaration to address. At this point I am ready to accept the draft EIS as complete. If the Board is comfortable with this we can let the discussions begin. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Michael Langlert, my wife and I have our home at 52 Franklin Street. There are two points I would like to make. One is the City's provisions with regard to the historic district and the demolition of a historic building in a historic district. What is extremely important the DRC follow to the letter the City's ordinances with respect to this. Secondly, in looking at the positive declaration requiring the Draft EIS it was clear that how the loss of the historic building would be mitigated with the City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – page 4 of 6 new development on the property. That is a requirement. The applicant has not put forth a development plan. This will dramatically change the oldest historic district. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director, Saratoga Preservation Foundation respectfully requests that a public hearing be held on this Environmental Impact Statement. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated he would like to move forward and it is important the process continue. I am willing to say the draft EIS statement which we have in front of us is acceptable as complete. That will allow this process to move forward and receive comments. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated if the Board accepts the draft EIS it must be comfortable with what is presented. Once accepted it will then be filed and a distribution of a notice of completion of the draft will be issued. A 30 day public comment period begins from that point forward. A public hearing should the Board choose to have one must be scheduled and held 10 days following the public comment period. During which time you will receive comments. Following that you will discuss public input and finding statements. Following that input there is opportunities to modify this draft EIS. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of the application of 66 Franklin Street draft EIS that we accept the latest version dated 07/18/2012 as received this date as complete. Staff may now file and begin the 30 day public comment period. In keeping with the transparency this Board always maintains I recommend a public hearing be held. Seconded by Richard Martin. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 5-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approved the May 16, 2012 and the July 5, 2012 meeting minutes with minor corrections as submitted. Seconded by Staci Mannion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 5-0 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – page 5 of 6 ANNOUNCE DATE OF NEXT MEETING Design Review Commission Workshop to be announced. Design Review Commission Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Richard Martin made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Rob DeMarco. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 9/5/12 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – page 6 of 6