Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chair; Richard Martin; Robert West; Karen Cavotta; Robert DeMarco; Cynthia Corbett 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. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 2014.133 STONE BUILDINGS, 68 Weibel Avenue, discussion of SEQRA Lead Agency (Architectural Review) for review of multiple existing buildings and signage within the Transect-4 Urban Neighborhood District. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this is a procedural action on determining SEQRA for this project. Discussion among the Commission to defer SEQRA Lead Agency to the Planning Board should they request it. 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 Stone Buildings, 68 Weibel Avenue, the Design Review Commission defers SEQRA Lead Agency to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals should they seek it. 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 2. 2014.135 FALAFEL DEN AWNING, 6 Phila Street, Historic Review of an awning within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Sabreen Samman, Zouhir Lian The applicants are proposing a new awning. Color sample was provided to the Commission for their review. It will be a straight awning with no sides. The awning will be anchored into the existing hardware on the building. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was 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 the Falafel Den Awning, 6 Phila 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, Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 3. #2014.090 SARATOGA ABUNDANT LIFE CHURCH LED FREESTANDING SIGN, 2325 Route 50 South, Architectural Review of LED pedestal sign in the Office Medical Business-1 District. Applicant: Glenn Dionne, Pastor; Dale Jensen, Senior Pastor Agent: Tonya Yasenchak, Engineering America Ms. Yasenchak stated we are here to discuss the application we have before the Commission regarding the proposed LED freestanding sign. Since the Commission met for a site visit, we have had clarification from code enforcement, that no variance is required. We are located in an Office Medical Business District. It allows for Office Medical Clinic as well as parking facilities. We are also in a Gateway District. The square footage of the proposed sign meets the regulations. The sign will be encased in wood trim. A stone base is proposed similar to what exists currently. The proposed sign is 6' 5" in height. The signage will be turned off at night. This signage is a service based signage. We are not selling products. Discussion ensued among the Commission regarding apprehension with allowing LED signage within the City's gateway overlay district and the potential impact on the Spa State Park properties. Steven Rowland, Chairman, commended the applicant for the effort to bring a manufacturer representative to the proposed site in order to better evaluate the proposal. Several Commission members commented on the distance the light projected from the signage and it's brightness; the difficulty in enforcement and control of signage copy design; and the potential impacts and precedent-setting impact in the City, in general, and particularly in the gateway district. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated she has many of the same issues as Steven Rowland, the Chairman. She commended the applicant on the quality of the sign base and general design with the exception of the LED portion. Given the discussion on the LED portion of the sign, Steven Rowland, Chairman, asked if the applicant was receptive to tabling the decision to explore other, non LED alternatives. The applicant was in agreement with this suggestion. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to table the Saratoga Abundant Life Church LED Freestanding Sign, 2325 Route 50 South application at this time. 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, Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 4. 2014.134 DEITSCH ROOF MODIFICATION, 170 High Rock Avenue, Architectural Review, of an entrance roof modification within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: Steven Hitchcock, contractor. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, December 3, 2014 – page 2 of 3 The applicant's agent explained the applicants are looking to replace their current entrance roof with one which resembles the neighbors. They are proposing the same type of roof and the same type of brackets. The slope of the current roof allows snow and ice to deposit on the steps. Steve Rowland, Chairman asked if there was 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. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Deitsch Roof Modification, 170 High Rock Avenue, that we approve the application with one condition – the new gable shall replicate existing gables in details and materials; the applicant to reuse standing seam metal for flashing material to enhance blending of original and new details; gable shall include a copper 'kick out' flashing on both sides. 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, opposed; Richard Martin, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 5. 2013.055.1 GALERNO RESIDENCE, 69 Lake Avenue, modifications to Architectural Review approval of new single family residence within the NCU-3 District. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this application was submitted to the Chairman for administrative action on several modifications. However, there are two pages of changes to this project. The Design Review Commission reviewed all proposed changes. It was the consensus of the Commission that the proposed changes were appropriate. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of meeting minutes was deferred to the January 7, 2015 Design Review Commission Meeting. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Commission caravan, Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion to adjourn. Robert West, 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; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved 01/07/15 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, December 3, 2014 – page 3 of 3