Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Richard Martin; Georgeanna Lussier; 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 7:00 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: 1. 2014.052 YADDO COTTAGES, Union Avenue and Route 87, Consideration of SEQRA Lead Agency (Architectural Review) for artist cottages within the Institutional Educational District. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion to defer Lead Agency Status to the Planning Board. Richard Martin seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 2. 2014.050 SARATOGA SHOES AWNING, 64 Walton Street, Architectural Review of an awning within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Agent: Scott Bowersox, Northeast Awnings The applicant is proposing a door and window awning. The awnings will be mounted into the mortar so as to not damage the brick. Sample of fabric provided to the Commission for their review. 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 wished to comment on this application. None heard. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of Saratoga Shoes Awning, 64 Walton Street 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: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 3. 2014.051 OBLOY AWNING, 268 Broadway, Historic Review of awning within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Thaddeus Obloy Agent: Paul Henn, Great American Awning Mr. Henn stated the awning will be mounted on the building facing Broadway. The mounting procedure was explained to the Commission. The applicants indicated a similar awning is present on the 5th floor of the building. A sample of the fabric was provided to the Commission for their review. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, asked about the color of awning on the 5th floor as the DRC is looking for consistency in color and treatment along Broadway. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated we would like to review the current awning which exists on a site visit. We are looking for consistency on the building as well as color, size and design. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated we will table this application until the site visit is made. Arrangements were made with the applicant for a site visit. The Agenda was heard out of order due to lack of representation for Agenda Item #4. 5. 2014.056 ALL GOOD THINGS PATIO, 30 Lake Avenue, Architectural Review of outside seating are within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Renae Mantello, Kim DeVito, owners The applicants are proposing an outside seating area including moveable stanchions with chain and chairs with soft seating and round top tables. Everything is moveable inside at night. Indoor/outdoor fabric sample was provided for the Commission's review. 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 wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion in the matter of the All Good Things Patio, 30 Lake 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 6. 2014.058 MINGLES OUTDOOR CAFÉ, 30 Lake Avenue, Architectural Review of outside seating area within the Transect-6 Urban Residential-3 District. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – page 2 of 7 Applicant: Scott Solomon, Owner The applicants are proposing an outside seating area with moveable stanchions with chain and chairs with soft seating and rectangular top tables. Similar to the previous application, everything is moveable inside at night. Indoor/outdoor fabric sample was provided for the Commission's review. In addition, an exhaust fan will be installed on the rear of the building. The DRC was provided details on the fan. 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 wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, made a motion in the matter of Mingles Outdoor Patio, 30 Lake Avenue that the application be approved with the following condition: an updated version of drawings to show location, rope system and single row of tables to be provided for the file. 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; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 7. 2009.005.1 66 FRANKLIN HISTORIC SIGN & FENCE MODIFICATION, 66 Franklin Street, final approval of historic marker sign and fence details within the Urban Residential-4 Urban Neighborhood District. RECUSAL: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, recused herself from this application. Robert West recused himself from this application. Applicant: Joe Boff Agent: Matthew Mazur, Attorney Two versions of the historic marker were provided for the Commission's review. Also fencing materials were reviewed. Discussion ensued regarding which marker is preferred as well as the location of marker on the property. Fencing will be located +/- 6 inches off the property lines. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, stated after reviewing the design guidelines of the City of Saratoga the recommendation for historic or contributing districts is to include wood picket, wrought iron or cast iron fencing. Vinyl, PVC and chain link are to be avoided. Steve Rowland, Chairman, clarified that the proposed fence is metal and that the coating system on the fence is vinyl based. The fence itself is not vinyl. Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion in the matter of 66 Franklin Street Historic Final Sign and Fence Details, 66 Franklin Street that the application be approved as newly submitted this evening with the following conditions: that the signage will contain the full version of the advertisement image, text to be arranged so that it does not extend below the image. Fencing will be located +/- 6" off the property lines. Sign is located +/- 2 feet off the property line on the northwest corner of the property. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor; City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – page 3 of 7  Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, resumed her position on the Commission. Robert West resumed his position on the Commission. 8. 2014.054 DEVIVO RESIDENCE, 48 Franklin Street, Historic Review of window replacements within the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Barbara DeVivo Agent: Dean Durst Mr. Durst stated the applicant has replaced windows in her historic home. 22 out of 30 have been installed. These are vinyl replacement windows that have been partially installed. However, they have not been trimmed out. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated this situation is unfortunate since the DRC has in the past helped the applicant in choosing a long term replacement for old windows. We do try to hold the historic properties to a higher standard. The vinyl is a product which does not last. We do not as a rule allow vinyl windows in the Historic District and the City’s approved Residential Design Guidelines indicate that. He asked the applicant to investigate some type of mitigation, perhaps with the façade which faces on Franklin Street. Ms. DeVivo stated she has made a huge mistake. She thought she was to comply with the historic look of the home. So she made sure to select windows that were the same size as the historic windows. These windows were custom made. The mistake she made was not realizing the need for approval/permission. The cost was over $10,000 for these windows. She apologized for my mistake. These will not fit any other structure. Richard Martin stated he does not feel he can accept the vinyl windows on the front of the house. The balance of the windows do not have the exposure of the façade. Also the masonry window casing needs to be reworked. Discussion ensued regarding the vinyl windows, checking on the casing detail and trim profile sketches were requested from the applicant. The applicant was also strongly encouraged to investigate the installation of wood/aluminum clad windows on the Franklin Street façade, at the very least. It was suggested that the applicant take some time to investigate any options that would better preserve the historic integrity of this structure. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, state that this application is difficult for the Design Review Commission and for the owner. Vinyl is becoming more pervasive and has been studied and reviewed and it has been determined that it is not as sustainable and long term. It is a dangerous precedent to allow vinyl; however, I think a compromise is something to be considered. The front façade is critical and I respectfully request that the Design Review Commission follow the guidelines they have set forth with a wood replacement window. Steven Rowland, Chairman, tabling this application at this time. Perhaps the applicant can research and return with some recommendations concerning details and a higher quality window in the front. The applicant can then return and we can discuss this application further. The Agenda was heard out of order due to lack of representation for Agenda Item #9. 10. 2014.055 69 LAKE AVENUE RESIDENCE, 69 Lake Avenue, Architectural Review of new single family residence within the NCU-3 District. Agent: Lou Galarneau, Galarneau Builders. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – page 4 of 7 Mr. Galarneau stated they have this lot under contract. The Commission was provided with paperwork outlining a site plan of a single family home with architectural shingles for the roof and a cut sheet was provided. The house will have heavy architectural detailing with metal accents. On the front porch and rear porches, there will be cement board siding; clapboard on the lower with shakes on the upper. Porch roofs will have a prefinished metal roof system. Windows are Pella architectural or designer series with grills between the windows. There will be granite on the foundation of the columns. The color scheme is grey with white trim. Porch will be composite materials - simulated mahogany trex. All trim will be fiber cement or PVC on the outside. The applicant's agent reviewed all elevations. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. None heard. Rob DeMarco made a motion in the matter of 69 Lake Avenue Residence, 69 Lake Avenue, that the application be approved with the following conditions: lighting is to be reviewed administratively; cut sheets for windows to be supplied with muntin details; lattice is to be picture-framed - either vertical or square pattern; cut sheets for doors to be provided for the file. 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 9. 2012.095.3 SCHRADE INSURANCE BUILDING MODIFICATION, 227 Washington Street, Architectural Review of carport roof and fencing within the Transect-4 Urban Neighborhood District. Applicant: Rick Schrade Agent: Jesse Bouchey, Kodiak Construction Mr. Bouchey stated the applicant has been through the Design Review process and all the approvals are in place. However, when we started looking at the project we thought the car port which was proposed to have a flat roof would look better with a standard, gable roof to be more in fitting with the neighborhood. Dimensions are the same. Roofing materials will be asphalt shingle as on the roof of the main structure. The applicant now proposes fencing around the dumpster versus the concrete that was originally shown. The fencing will match that along the rear of the property. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commission. The Commission suggested painting the columns the same as the trim. The applicant agreed. 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 Schrade Insurance Building Modification, 227 Washington Street that the application be approved as submitted with a note to paint concrete piers the same color as the trim. 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; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 11. 2014.013.3 THE FRESH MARKET MECHANICALS, 52 Marion Avenue, Architectural Review of rooftop mechanicals and screening in the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – page 5 of 7 Applicant: The Fresh Market Agent: Matthew J. Jones, Justin Grassi, Attorneys – The Jones Firm; Todd Curley, Prime Company; Dean DeVito, Prime Space Beechwood, LLC Mr. Jones thanked the Commission for the courtesy of scheduling a special meeting. At the last meeting, we were given four items to go back and reanalyze. The applicants agent stated they will raise the screening to a height necessary to eliminate view of mechanicals. The northwest tower will match the height of the northeast tower. A cap at the top of the screen will be installed and the signage on the north tower will be modified for a better fit and balance on that new facade. Mr. Curley stated the screen wall will be raised to 5'6". The rear tower will be raised to match the front tower. The signage will be halo-lit lettering upon a green backer panel. Visual presentation was provided to the Commission. Discussion ensued regarding the towers. Several Commission members preferred extending the tower walls with brick as previously discussed. Discussion ensued regarding colors, signage and screening. The applicant agreed to brick the tower extension to match the other towers. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion in the matter of the Fresh Market, Rooftop Mechanicals, 52 Marion Avenue, that we approve the application with the following conditions: screening to be grey in color with white cap; northwest tower vertical extension to be extended in brick in lieu of green material presented; signage to be placed on green backer board panel; seasons 4 unit to be painted grey, the color of the screen. 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; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 4. 2014.057 TIMBERLINE PRINTING SIGN PANEL, 75 Weibel Avenue, Architectural Review of replacement sign panel within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated he has no concerns with this application. There is no one present at the hearing to represent the applicant. It is a replacement panel for an existing sign and the request is fairly straightforward. Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. 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 Timberline Printing Sign Panel, 75 Weibel Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted. Robert DeMarco 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2014 meeting as submitted. Richard Martin seconded the motion. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – page 6 of 7 VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, abstained; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, abstained; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0-2 Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2014 meeting as submitted. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2014 meeting as submitted. Robert West seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, abstained; Richard Martin, abstained; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0-2 Steven Rowland, Chairman, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 29, 2014 meeting as submitted. Richard Martin seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, abstained; Karen Cavotta, abstained; Robert DeMarco, abstained; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0-3 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: June 18, 2014 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – page 7 of 7