Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Richard Martin; Georgeanna Lussier ABSENT: Karen Cavotta; Robert DeMarco; Robert West STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development, City of Saratoga Springs CALL TO ORDER: Steven Rowland, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: Steven 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. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: A. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: No representation for Agenda Item #1 – deferred to the end of the meeting. 2. #2014.013.1 THE FRESH MARKET ROOF MECHANICALS AND LIGHTING, 52 Marion Avenue, Architectural Review of rooftop mechanicals and lighting in the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: The Fresh Market Agents: Matthew J. Jones, Justin Grassi, Attorneys, The Jones Firm; George Olsen, Olsen Architecture; Todd Curley, Prime Company Mr. Jones provided a visual presentation to the Commission reviewing the March submission of elevations both north and west. Applicant provided views of screening which were provided to staff. Additional screening attempts evolved further and those views were also presented to the Commission. Mr. Olsen presented the new version of rooftop mechanicals with a visual presentation to the Commission. Mr. Curley reviewed the mechanicals which are on the rooftop and what is being done to rectify the situation that currently exists. Mr. Curley stated the legs were removed from the refrigeration system shortening them and allowing them to be screened with a much lower wall and avoid conflict with the towers. Samples of the screening materials were provided to the Commission for their review. They can be any color of choice. It is a smooth surface and will mimic what is there now. The Seasons 4 unit is not completely screened. Applicant spoke of painting it white. Cannot make it completely disappear. We have mitigated equipment as best as we can with the exception of the Seasons 4 unit. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated that the applicants have come a long way. If we were looking at this plan you have before us today back in November, personally, I thought this is a fairly reasonably solution. A little more height in the screening and painting out the unit would make it look even better. I appreciate the fact that this unit has been brought down in height. If we had known sooner about the size and type of mechanicals, we could have worked with you to an even better solution. Tonight, we only have four board members present, which presents an issue in itself. Mr. Curley stated we are under time constraints to open this store. We will do everything within our power to make this right. We are looking for a May 14, 2014 opening. We would like to finalize where the refrigeration units will go so we can modify them and prepare for the opening to allow for deliveries. Mr. Jones stated the Commission could allow for the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy through a notice of decision with conditions. I do not know what those are at this time. However, we could discuss those. The building inspector could then issue a temporary certificate of occupancy with conditions imposed upon the applicant whereby the applicant has a set amount of time to become compliant. Georgeanna Lussier suggested raising the height of the west tower to maintain the original proportionality of the towers while raising the the height of the screening walls. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, stated the height of the screening is not completely screening everything we would like to have screened. Richard Martin stated he also feels that raising the height of the towers is a decent option. It is the only option I feel is acceptable to totally screen the rooftop mechanicals. Discussion ensued regarding the height of the screening, type of screening, relocation of equipment, modification of mechanical equipment and the heightening of the towers. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development discussed window elements and signage locations. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience would like to comment on this application. None heard. Mr. Curley provided a lighting plan for the Commission's review. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated in the matter of the application of the Fresh Market Lighting, 52 Marion Avenue, that the DRC approve the application with the following conditions: approval is limited to the lighting as presented tonight, 04/29/14; based upon discussions this evening, the applicant shall return for further discussion in consideration of the rooftop screening including an increase in the west tower and screening height, and the possible addition of another element to the screen for horizontal emphasis. As we continue through the development of the elements discussed this evening, the DRC does not take exception to the issuance of a temporary Certificate of Occupancy to allow for the store opening, as well as final signage and details at the west elevation. 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; Georgeanna Lussier MOTION PASSES: 4-0 The applicant will return before the Commission at the May 21, 2014 Meeting. The agenda is heard out of order – defer to Agenda Item #1. 1. #2013.036 178 LAKE AVENUE GARAGE, 178 Lake Avenue, Architectural Review of a detached 2-car garage within the Urban Residential-1 District. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – page 2 of 4 Agent: Ronnie LaPierre, Mountaineer Contracting Mr. LaPierre apologized for not attending the previous DRC Meeting. He was not aware he needed to be present. Mr. LaPierre stated roofing materials will be architectural shingles, color to be gray slate 30 year shingle. The garage siding will match that of the house. 6" wide corner boards will be used in white. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak regarding this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion in the matter of the application of 178 Lake Avenue Garage that the application be approved with the following conditions: that the applicant use a half-circle louver in lieu of rectangular. There is a raised pane overhead door with one row of glass. Georgeanna Lussier 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; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 3. #2013.067 HAMILTON STREET PARKING STRUCTURE, Hamilton Street, Advisory Opinion to the Planning Board on a 6-level parking structure in the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicants: Jim Quinn; Bruce Levinsky Merlin Development Mr. Levinsky reviewed all the elevations of the project and drawings that were submitted to the Commission. The change has been negotiated between the Planning Board and the developer to enhance the parking from 250 to 350 spaces resulting in a larger parking structure. It was suggested we return before the Commission to review and approve the mass and scale for the larger project. Materials reviewed for the project were brick and concrete with a sandblasted finish. It was suggested that the Commission visit a parking garage that Mr. Levinsky built in Glens Falls, similar to this structure, located in the middle of the city. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated the Commission does not have any problem with the overall mass and scale of the project particularly as we try to maximize the parking spaces on this site. However, we are looking for façade treatments to help soften the façade. This site of relatively isolated and there is little on adjacent parcels for building context. This building will be quite visible for all of its sides for the foreseeable future. The Commission is interested in creative treatments to mitigate the stark nature of the proposed exterior of this structure. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak regarding this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion for a favorable advisory opinion to the Planning Board in terms of mass and scale. The Commission does have significant concerns regarding the façade treatment. Georgeanna Lussier 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; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – page 3 of 4 Steven Rowland, Chairman, deferred the approval of meeting minutes to the next meeting scheduled for May 7, 2014. NEXT MEETING: The next scheduled Design Review Commission meeting is Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 5/21/14 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – page 4 of 4