Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Richard Martin; Robert West; Robert DeMarco; Staci Mannion Karen Cavotta; ABSENT: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; 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. 2013.016 SARATOGA HONDA, 3402 Route 9 (South Broadway), Consideration of ZBA request for SEQRA lead agency proposed expansion of the structure in the OMB1 and 2 Districts. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the ZBA has requested Lead Agency for SEQRA. This is an upcoming application which will appear before the Joint Commission for review. This is a fairly large and involved project involving all three Boards. We will be able to weigh in on major aesthetic considerations. A Joint Board Meeting will be held regarding this application on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion that the DRC defer to the ZBA Lead Agency Status for SEQRA review. Richard Martin seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 2. 2013.007 FINGERPAINT MARKETING, 395 Broadway, Historic Review of wall signs in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Neil Heppner, Signworks Neon Corp. Applicant Ed Mitzen, Fingerpaint Marketing Mr. Heppner stated this is the old Borders building. Previous signs have been removed. They left an ugly situation. There is shadowing where the old sign was along with holes in the building. We are proposing to put the new sign where the existing sign was. Our signage will completely cover the area of the old one. Reverse channel lettering which is required in this zone. An area variance was received for relief for the placement above the first floor level of the building. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Staci Mannion made a motion in the matter of the application of Fingerpaint Marketing, 395 Broadway, that the application be approved with the following condition – the applicant fill in existing holes where previous sign was located. Richard Martin seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 3. 2013.024 BURKE BUILDING, 15 Church Street, Historic Review of façade modifications and rooftop addition within the Transect-6 District. Agent: John Muse, Architect Mr. Muse stated the project is to save and restore the old building. A restaurant will be on the lower floor, and apartments on the upper two floors. The building is brick with one side having pressed tin. Backer board and brick veneer will be applied to the west side and the entire building will be painted. I am trying to reuse as many windows locations as possible, and would like the windows to be operational. Sketches were provided to the Board as well as paint samples. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Preservation Foundation stated it is very great that someone is refurbishing this building. From available historical photos it appears that the windows in the bays were "one over one" pane configuration and, according to DRC guidelines, she believes they should remain as such. Discussion ensued regarding the window selection and what the Preservation Foundation recommended. It was decided by the Board to approve the mutton pattern as submitted. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of the application of the Burke Building, 15 Church Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions – windows to be black, metal-clad simulated divided lite. Rail to be black aluminum; doors to be solid wood (with lites if desired) of cherry color; brick in-fill of original window openings to be partially recessed to preserve original window profile. Robert DeMarco seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 4. 2013.012 THE INN AT SARATOGA, 231 Broadway, Historic Review of partial porch (East elevation) and front entrance vestibule enclosure within the Transect-6 District. RECUSAL: Richard Martin recused himself from this application. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, March 6, 2013 – page 2 of 5 Agent: Charlie Hoffman, Hoffman Architecture Mr. Hoffman stated this will actually be two small projects. One is to enclose the front porch to extend the dining capabilities. The applicant would like to install an energy vestibule on the side entry. He has an old stained glass panel he is looking to place on the inside. Brass doors will be installed on the vestibule entrance. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated there were some serious reservations on introducing a whole new element to the front porch with this enclosure. Some discussion ensued regarding saving the front porch. Another issue which was raised and that would be the color of the shutters. That is a concern of the Board and perhaps take into consideration some modifications to the shutters. There was no concern by the Board regarding the vestibule portion of the application. Conversations were held with the Saratoga Preservation Foundation concerning this renovation. Discussion ensued regarding the porch enclosure and current design. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Preservation Foundation stated she has spoken with the applicant and would like to see the original porch railing incorporated into the new design. We are pleased with the direction this is application is going. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated he hopes the Board has given him some direction in which the Board would like to see this application move forward. Rob DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the application of the Inn at Saratoga Façade Changes, 231 Broadway that the application be approved with the following conditions – the vestibule and brass doors approved as submitted in the new submission including railing. The applicant will need to return for discussion and approval of overall color scheme, shutters and rail plane. Robert West seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, recused; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0-1 Richard Martin resumed his position on the Board. 5. 2013.020 MARTELL BROTHERS, (Druthers Brewpub) 381 Broadway, Historic Review of addition to restaurant within the Transect-6 District. RECUSAL: Steven Rowland, Chairman recused himself from this application. Richard Martin assumed the duties of the chair. Applicant: Chris Martell We are proposing an addition between the two existing buildings. We will carry over the existing building but at an angle. Doors will be of the same material as the front door, but they will fold open to allow the outside in, during the nice weather. Mr. Martell reviewed the new addition for the Board. Richard Martin, Acting Chairman asked for clarification on the stone for the fireplace. Mr. Martell explained they are working with stone pavers and haven't chosen a material for the fireplace. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, March 6, 2013 – page 3 of 5 Richard Martin, Acting Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Robert West made a motion in the matter of the application of the Martell Brothers Brewing Company, (Druthers Brewpub) Addition, 381 Broadway, that the application be approved with the following conditions – the stone selection for the fireplace to be reviewed administratively and the rail is to match the character of the front gate. Staci Mannion seconded the motion. Richard Martin, Acting Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, recused; Richard Martin, Acting Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0-1 Steven Rowland, Chairman resumed the duties of the Chair. Richard Martin resumed his position on the Board. 6. 2013.014 FOUR SEASONS, 120 Henry Street, Architectural Review of façade modifications including painting, windows, and wall sign within the Transect-5 District. Applicant: Richard Frank, Owner Agent: Dennis Rigosu, Syvertsen Rigosu Architects, Matt Tyler, Syvertsen Rigosu Mr. Tyler gave a visual presentation to the Board of the project. It is an industrial building and we will keep it looking like an industrial building. Parking lot will remain as is with additional striping. There will be additional landscaping. The front of the building will be rebuilt. New front stairs, benches and bike rack. Brick will remain and new glass doors will be installed and new lighting will be installed. New signage will be installed where the former signage was located. Metal siding will be painted red and other portions of the building will be grey. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the application of the Four Seasons Façade Renovations and Wall Sign 120 Henry Street be approved with the following conditions – that the approval reflect the new signage submitted. That the concrete foundation that exists along with the overhead door infill would be parged with a consistent color across the entire exposed concrete façade. Also that the painted metal be prepped or covered for longevity of the darker color added. Staci Mannion seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of minutes was deferred until the March 20, 2013 meeting. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING The next scheduled Caravan will be held on Monday, March 12, 2013 at 4:30 P.M. The next scheduled Design Review Commission meeting is Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Richard Martin made a motion to adjourn. Robert West seconded the motion. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, March 6, 2013 – page 4 of 5 Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Staci Mannion, in favor; Rob DeMarco, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss, Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 4/3/13 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, March 6, 2013 – page 5 of 5