Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chair; Robert DeMarco; Cynthia Corbett ABSENT: Richard Martin; Robert West; Karen Cavotta 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. 03.010.1 SARATOGA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL EXPANSION, 459-539 Lake Avenue, consideration of SEQRA Lead Agency for the expansion of an existing school within the Rural Residential District. Applicant: Saratoga Independent School; Felice Karlitz, Director Agent: Libby Corrino, Attorney, Jones Firm; Bill McMorty, Construction Management Committee; Ken Siverson, Architect Ms. Corrino provided the Commission with a brief visual presentation of the proposed project. Currently the school enrolls 106 full time students. In January of 2003 the Planning Board as Lead Agent issued a Negative Declaration for all three phases of the project under SEQRA. This allowed 42,000 square feet of classrooms, office, recreational and assembly space. Visual presentation included an overview of the current site, proximity to wetlands, and forested areas. Due to the success of the school the enrollment is increasing to approximately 250 students. This results in small increases in traffic trips, water usage per day, wastewater and storm water runoff, all of which are small and can be mitigated. All other environmental issues we believe we can stay in compliance as set forth in the 2003 SEQRA Negative Declaration. More students on site under the existing metrics. This information and concept plan has recently been submitted to the ZBA because we are in a Rural Residential zone operating under a use variance. Rendering of the buildings were provided to the Commission for their review. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated he was happy that the school is doing so well and is so successful. 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. Steven Rowland made a motion in the matter of the Saratoga Independent School Expansion, 459-539 Lake Avenue, that the Design Review Commission will defer SEQRA Lead Agency to the Planning Board should they seek it. 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 2. #2015.001 PAVOLDI RESIDENCE ADDITION, 75 Lake Avenue, Historic Review of a 2-story rear addition within the Urban Residential-4 District. Applicant: Nicholas Daniel Pavoldi, Owner Agent: Tim Monahan, Galarneau Builders Mr. Monahan stated when the applicant last appeared before the Commission several items were of concern. The drawings of the project have been amended and were provided to the Commission for their review. We did change the window casings to 5 1/4 by 6, we changed the frieze board to 8”, we added a water table all around the building, we changed the two little porch gables from siding to flat material; we added shakes in both gables on the east and west sides, aligned the windows on the west elevation, and added 10” columns on the front, removed the brackets; added the half columns on the new porch and changed the door to the six panel. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the new plans look great. 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. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Pavoldi Residence Addition, 75 Lake Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted on February 18, 2015. Cynthia Corbett 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 3. 2015.002 DEVLIN ADDITION/FAÇADE ALTERATION, 25 Fifth Avenue, Architectural Review of an addition and exterior material changes within the Urban Residential-1 District. Agent: Michael Tuck, balzer+tuck architecture; Jim Sasko, Teakwood Builders Mr. Tuck stated the applicants are here this evening to review a proposed addition to the Devlin residence. We appeared before the Commission two weeks ago and several modifications were made to the design. We have provided updated drawings for your review. He confirmed the basic intentions of Historic Review. Mr. Tuck provided a brief background on the project with a visual presentation. The house is not out of scale with any of the neighbors nor will it be after the project is completed. The context of the neighborhood is not adversely impacted. The applicant and applicant’s agent discussed removing the balustrade and installing the taller columns per the Commission’s suggestion. A review of the site plan was provided. Any modification to this building will be visible from the street since it is located on a corner lot. The difficulty with this application was where the addition was proposed. Mr. Tuck provided prior sketches of the project alongside the proposed addition and modifications. All views of the project were provided in the visual presentation. The existing structure will remain as it currently is. Steven Rowland, Chairman indicated that several of the Commission members are concerned regarding the change to this significant property which is a contributing member to the Historic District, and a very visible elevation. The other concern is the fact that we only have 4 people present on the Commission this evening. We may want to consider tabling any decision for the benefit of both the Commission and the applicant. The Commission members present this evening will provide City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 18, 2015 - Page 2 of 4 feedback concerning the updated plans. The Chairman noted that the updated plans are an improvement in the appearance of the project; however, he is still struggling with adding a whole element to a contributing member to the Historic District. This is somewhat out of our guidelines in terms of adding architectural features which did not exist. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed addition being consistent or inconsistent with the historic guidelines. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated the changes which have been made look good. However, reiterated the concerns of the Chair regarding the addition of architectural features which did not previously exist. This is a contributing member to the Historic District. Mr. Tuck stated that what the Commission is stating is that any contributing member to the Historic District on a corner lot in Saratoga Springs cannot receive an approval for an addition from this Commission any longer. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development, stated what the Board is expressing is not the fact that there are additions on historic structures, because the Commission has seen and reviewed and approved numerous additions to many historic homes, What I understand and hear from the Commission is not the fact that it is an addition, but rather is an addition on a second floor porch in a manner that changes the balance of the building and that specific makeup of that historic structure. Not an addition in and of itself. Steven Rowland, Chairman, stated that is fairly accurate. I look at the carriage house and the link which was added this is more of an adding of an element to the building, that is not only new and making a significant change to the balance of the building, but it is also taking away another element the one story porch. It goes away. We are losing that feature while we are adding another feature, and that is what I am struggling with. Discussion ensued regarding the addition of the garage and how that did not affect the balance of the home. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated he looks at the house as it was originally designed. Each of the porches which come off of it are this one story, simple square, trimmed with the balustrade top. We are losing that on the east elevation. The front porch is that way, the rear one is that way, the side ones are that way. We are taking away the most significant one in terms of the view from the street. Robert DeMarco stated the struggle is changing the balance of the structure. Discussion ensued regarding the researching of examples of this type of addition to homes of this period. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated typically the Foundation does not object to additions. If there is to be an addition it really should mirror the whole first floor and not have this open porch. It should be symmetrical. If you look at Colonial Revivals styles often times they do two story wings and this would resemble that. They are very symmetrical in that way. Now it would become its own element. The first floor and the second floor should be mirrored. It is not typical of this style home. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated the Commission does not appear ready to make a decision this evening. You may wish to table this application, and allow the Board to complete some research. Allow the applicant to do some research. Perhaps, develop a plan to mimic the first floor to allow some symmetry. Evaluate the input Received this evening. The next Design Review Commission Meetings are scheduled for March 4, 2015 as well as March 18, 2015. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we will table this application and review what was proposed and contemplate and double check our ordinance and entertain additional Board members thoughts at subsequent meetings. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Commission caravan, Tuesday, February 23, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 18, 2015 - Page 3 of 4 Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2015 Design Review Commission with minor edits as submitted. Cynthia Corbett seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 5/20/15 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 18, 2015 - Page 4 of 4