Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chair; Richard Martin; Robert West; Staci Mannion; Karen Cavotta; ABSENT: Robert DeMarco STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning & Economic Development CALL TO ORDER: Chair Steven Rowland called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: Steve Rowland, Chairman stated the proceedings of this meeting are being recorded 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. 2012.095.1 SCHRADE INSURANCE BUILDING, 227 Washington Street, request for Lead Agency by Planning Board for a mixed use development featuring professional office and three apartments in the Transect-4 District. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion to defer Lead Agency under SEQRA to the Planning Board should they request Lead Agency Status. 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 2. 2013.009.1 EXCELSIOR AVENUE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT, Intersection of Excelsior Avenue and Marion Avenue, request for Lead Agency by Planning Board for mixed use development featuring eating and drinking, office, retail and residential in the Transect-5 District. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion to defer Lead Agency under SEQRA to the Planning Board per their request. Staci Mannion 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 3. 2013.011.1 HOME OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, 394-402 Church Street, request for Lead Agency by Planning Board for senior housing and senior assisted living facility in the Urban Residential-1 District. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion to defer Lead Agency under SEQRA to the Planning Board should they request Lead Agency Status. 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 4. 2013.010 ADIRONDACK SIGN COMPANY, 72 Ballston Avenue, Architectural Review of two wall signs in the Transect- 5 District. Agent: Daniel Roicki Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this application is fairly straightforward. Two wall signs are requested one on the Ballston Avenue side, which is the main entrance, and the other will be facing the bowling alley. No lighting is proposed. One issue which arose during the caravan is a neon sign located on north façade of the building. The neon sign exceeds the ordinance regulations. We would like to see that signage removed. 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 Adirondack Sign Company, 72 Ballston Avenue that we approve the application with the following condition that the neon sign in the window on the north façade be removed to accommodate the new signage. 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 5. 2013.008 GOODEMOTE PHYSICAL THERAPY, 3 Maple Dell, Architectural Review of free standing sign and wall sign in the Tourist Related Business District. RECUSAL: Steven Rowland, Chairman recused himself from this application since he was a consultant for Mr. Goodemote before he leased this building. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman assumed the duties of the Chair. Agent: Daniel Roicki, Adirondack Signs. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, February 6, 2013 – page 2 of 6 Mr. Roicki stated this is will be a free standing sign 6 x 6 posts on the Route 50 side of the building, and also a dimensional letter sign on the parking lot side of the building on Maple Dell. The free standing sign will be approximately 7 feet to the top of the post and the sign. The sign's height is to allow for the ability to view the signage from the roadway. The application does not include any lighting at this time. Discussion ensued regarding the addition of a trim or border to the free standing sign. 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 application of Goodemote Physical Therapy Signage, 3 Maple Dell, to approve the application with the following conditions – Add white inset border detail to free standing and wall sign. Add corner cut details to wall mounted sign. Existing lighting for free standing sign exists currently and request no changes to the bulbs or wattage. No plans for lighting on the wall mounted sign at this time. Richard Martin seconded the motion. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Steven Rowland, Chairman recused. MOTION PASSES: 5-0-1 Steven Rowland, Chairman resumed the duties of the Chair. 6. 2010.047.2 WASHINGTON COMMONS, Washington and Central Avenue, Request for modification of Architectural Review approval for façade changes to multi-use buildings in the Transect-4 District. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this application was originally proposed for Administrative Action. I felt the changes made were significant and beyond what the chair would normally approved. Therefore, I requested the applicant appear before the Board. Agent: Bob Flansburg, Dreamscapes Unlimited Applicant: Steven Ethier, East Side Development Group Mr. Flansburg stated the applicant is proposing to change the knee high stone across the front façade, remove it and concentrate the stone at the two front entrances. The side lights will be removed from the front entrance doors. Above the entryway, the four wide double hung windows will be changed to a triple unit. This will change the size of the lobby from 16 feet to 12 feet in width. Store front glass across the first floor of the building will be removed and we are proposing double hung windows in this area to match those of the windows upstairs. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we will review each issue one at a time. The stone on the front façade. The Commission was pleased with where it was placed initially and would like to have this feature return to what was originally submitted and approved. The change in the store front windows to the 2 over 2 double hung are an improvement. The windows narrowed from four to three is really not a significant change in the look of the structure. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated the Board has a few questions regarding the details of the building. Along the front façade, board and batten was proposed and not shown on the plans, and the standing seam metal roof. Discussion ensued regarding the standing seam metal roof and the usage of that material on the south elevation. The double hung windows will include SDL vertical muttons two over two as originally approved. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, February 6, 2013 – page 3 of 6 Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Washington Commons Modification, Washington Street and Central Avenue be approved with the following conditions – change the first floor windows from store front to 2 over 2 style. The entrance doors to have no side lights. The stone veneer to remain as originally submitted and approved across the south façade and down the recess entryways. Also in the style originally submitted (large particle vs. ledgerock). The window (gang units) change from 4 to 3 on the second floor. In addition, the lobby has changed from 16 feet in width to 12 feet, reducing the length of the building. Seconded by Robert West. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. 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 MOTION PASSES: 6-0 7. 2013.006 237 UNION AVENUE DEMOLITION, 237 Union Avenue, Architectural Review of demolition of two existing buildings in the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Rob Sutton, Mark Sutton, owners. Agent: Mike Ingersoll, Matt Brobston, LA Group. Mr. Ingersoll gave a brief overview of the project. There was a fire in the building. The property is adjacent to the National Historic District and requires a demolition permit. The building has no historic significance. A SEQRA long form was provided to the Board by the applicant. Bradley Birge, Administrator Planning and Economic Development stated the property is adjacent to, but not within, the historic district. The State Historic Preservation Office identified this site as an “intrusion” on the nomination form for the establishment of the Union Ave Historic District. It does not represent the Victorian architecture that is prevalent in Union Avenue or the horse track related theme. Steven Rowland, reviewed the SEQRA form Parts I and II. There were no large or important areas of concern noted. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we have reviewed the SEQR environmental assessment form and determined that Part I is complete. We have reviewed Part II of the SEQR form and determined that it is accurate. Therefore, I move for the issuance of a negative declaration of environmental significance because analysis of the information provided and presented in the environmental assessment form demonstrates that the project will not result in any large and important impact and, therefore, is one that will not have a significant impact on the environment. 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if they would consider any type of trees or buffering on the property, and consider seeding the entire property. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, February 6, 2013 – page 4 of 6 The applicant stated they will add some landscaping on the property, perhaps a hedgerow, and grass. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of the application of 237 Union Avenue Demolition, 237 Union Avenue, that the application be approved with the following conditions – low hedge row running north-south along east edge of property to screen Kings Tavern. Top soil and see the extent of the property including to the north. 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 6-0 APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2013, 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; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the January 16, 2013 meeting minutes with minor changes 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; Staci Mannion, abstained; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, abstained; MOTION PASSES: 4-0-2 ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING The next scheduled Caravan will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 4:30 P.M. Joint Meeting with Planning Board on the Rip Van Dam Hotel, will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. The next scheduled Design Review Commission meeting is Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Richard Martin seconded the motion. VOTE: S. Rowland, Chairman, in favor; T.Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; R. Martin, in favor; R. West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, February 6, 2013 – page 5 of 6 MOTION PASSES: 6-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:37 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 2/20/13 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, February 6, 2013 – page 6 of 6