Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Richard Martin; Robert West; Karen Cavotta; ABSENT: Staci Mannion; Robert 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. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Steven Rowland, Chairman stated our Broadway between Van Dam to Congress Street has been named by the National American Planning Association as one of the ten best streets in the United States. They cited the architecture the diverse nature of the businesses we have and the pedestrian connections. This DRC takes pride in what we do and all those who started this Board and we can now see the benefits of it. Our downtown is extremely vibrant. Congratulations to the City leaders all who have come before us and those to come in the future. Also, to our Boards who share this table, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Planning Board should be commended. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERA 1. 2009.069.3 SHAFER CARRIAGE HOUSE, 718 N. Broadway, Extension of Historic Review approval in the Urban Residential-1 and Urban Residential-2 Districts. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this is simply an 18 month extension. No further issues to discuss. The reason for the extension request is this applicant is waiting for a real estate transaction to occur. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Shafer Carriage House, 718 North Broadway that the application for an 18 month extension be approved, with an expiration date of April 7, 2014. This is the final extension permitted for this project. Tamie Ehinger seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 2. 2012.074 23rd and Fourth, 1 Franklin Square, Historic Review of sign in the Transect-6 District. RECUSAL: Richard Martin recused himself from this application. DISCLOSURE: Robert West stated he has done previous contract work with the building owner unrelated to this application and that there is currently no business relationship. Agent: Daniel Roicki – Adirondack Sign Company Steven Rowland, Chairman stated on the Commission's caravan they did note the original location of the sign and questioned the appropriateness of the location. Bradley Birge, Administrator of Planning & Economic Development stated there are some revisions to the original plan. There is a wall sign which is placed above the entrance door and also a free standing 7 foot sign parallel to the street. No lighting is proposed. Basic black and white color scheme. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger made a motion in the matter of the 23rd and Fourth Signage, 1 Franklin Square, that the application be approved with the following conditions – the height of the freestanding sign is not to exceed 6 feet. Anchors on the wall sign to be placed within the mortar joints. Robert West seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0. Richard Martin resumed his position on the Board. 3. 2012.069 DANIELS ROOF, 210 Lake Avenue, Architectural Review of roof City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 – page 2 of 7  in the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Susan and Earl Daniels The applicants are looking to re-roof the home. Several different roofing systems will be used to accommodate the different roof slopes on the home. Asphalt shingles will be used. Color sample was provided to the Board. Steven Rowland, Chairman offered to the applicants that a ice and water shield product be used to cover the entire roof prior to the addition of new roofing materials to prevent leakage, especially on the porch due to the slight slope in this area. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. 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 the Daniels Roof Replacement, 210 Lake Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted. Tamie Ehinger seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 4. 2012.070 HOEFER SCREENING, 38 High Rock Avenue, Architectural Review of outdoor screening in the Transect-6 District. Applicant: Diane Hoefer, owner Unit 5H. Agent: Tom Hayden, Hayden Glass and Window. Ms. Hoefer stated she has been battling the pigeons on her porch. They continue to cause a mess. I am the first applicant to pursue the screening. The most important thing is I do not want to change the integrity of the building. Mr. Hayden provided the Board with examples of the product and color to be used. This aluminum product will be installed in channels on the inside of the handrails. It will be in four panel sections. Discussion ensued regarding color of aluminum sections. It was determined that the sections be painted flat black. Steven Rowland, 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 Hoefer Screening, 38 High Rock Avenue, that the vertical City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 – page 3 of 7 mullions/separations should align with the prominent vertical posts on the existing handrail. Frame should be painted matte black. Screen should be transparent black screen as submitted. Richard Martin seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 5. 2012.076.1 HIDDEN GARDENS BUILDING, Northwest corner of Lawrence Street and Church Street, Consideration of SEQRA Lead Agency for new multi-use structure in the Transect-5 District. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this application is currently before the Planning Board at this time. It will come before this Board for review eventually. Currently we have a request from the Planning Board to defer Lead Agency Status for this application to the Planning Board. There are very few occasions that this Board accepts Lead Agency status for SEQRA. Bradley Birge, Administrator of Planning and Economic Development stated basically we are anticipating their application. Special Use has been submitted, we are trying to reduce the back and forth between the Boards. So, we are asking to defer Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board should they request it. Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion to defer Lead Agency Status for the Hidden Gardens Building, Northwest corner of Lawrence Street and Church Street for SEQRA to the Planning Board should they request it. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 6. 2012.068 SARATOGA ZYMARGIST, 112 Excelsior Avenue, Architectural Review of sign in the Transect-5 District. Applicant: Reed Antos, Owner We are requesting the approval of a new sign. We are expanding the building and the store and would like a new sign. Information was submitted to the Board requesting one wall sign facing the west with no lighting. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further questions or comments from the Board. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 – page 4 of 7 None heard. 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 Saratoga Zymargist Wall Sign, 112 Excelsior Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted. Robert West seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 7. 2012.071 CUDNEY CLEANERS, 3 Hempstead Place (60 Weibel Avenue), Architectural Review of sign in the Transect-4 District. Agent: Daniel Roicki, Adirondack Sign Company Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this sign is being placed where we had formerly approved sign panels when this project came before us prior to completion. The Board reviewed the submitted information. Bradley Birge, Administrator of Planning and Economic Development reviewed for the Board this project in particular which had come before the Board regarding the signage. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. None heard. Robert West made a motion in the matter of the Cudney Cleaners Signage, 3 Hempstead Place, 60 Weibel Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 – page 5 of 7  Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 8. 2012.072 MAJOR LEAGUE BARBERS, 3 Hempstead Place, (60 Weibel Avenue), Architectural Review of sign in the Transect-4 District. Agent: Daniel Roicki, Adirondack Sign Company Steven Rowland, Chairman brought up the same issue which Karen Cavotta had regarding the placement of the sign. The business is located inside the corridor and they wish to place the sign to the left of the main entry door, not centered. Discussion ensued regarding signage placement and location of the business within this project. The Board felt that the sign should be centered over the doorway entrance for better symmetry. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. None heard. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of the application of Major League Barbers, 3 Hempstead Place, 60 Weibel Avenue, that the application be approved with the following condition – that the Weibel Avenue sign be centered over the door entry. Richard Martin seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. 9. 2012.075 FEIGENBAUM CLEANERS, 19 Railroad Place, Architectural Review of sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Fred Early, Signworks Mr. Early stated this building has been very difficult to sign. The color of the signage has changed and the font has changed. Tony Bonacio stated his iron work company would do the iron work. We did not want the sign exactly as Price Choppers, so the color is changed and the font is changed. Structural component will remain the same as Price Chopper. Mr. Early feels that any signage at this location should keep with the signage of the major tenant which is Price Chopper for continuity and aesthics. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 – page 6 of 7 Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Feigenbaum Cleaners Signage, 19 Railroad Place, that the application be approved as submitted. Robert West seconded the motion. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of meeting minutes was deferred to the next Design Review Meeting on October 17, 2012. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEXT MEETING – CARAVAN – WORKSHOPS: Design Review Commission Caravan will be held on October 5, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Workshop will be held on October 5, at 6:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: Tamie Ehinger made a motion to adjourn. Richard Martin seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Rob West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 1/3/13 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 – page 7 of 7