Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chair; Robert DeMarco; Karen Cavotta ABSENT: Robert West; Richard Martin; 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 7:22 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: Steven Rowland, Vice 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. 2005.010 FELLOWS ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS, 56 Henry Street, Historic Review of rooftop solar panel Installation within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: Kyle Near, Enlighten Power Solutions Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this property is located across the street from the Library. 6 Photovoltaic Solar panels are proposed for this project. Mr. Near stated conduits will be run down the back side of the building to the basement to the electrical panel. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we are seeing more and more of these installations. What we are looking for is to have the conduit run in an inconspicuous location. We would like to have it painted out to match the roof color and the siding. If the applicant’s agent could provide more details such as the location of the conduit on updated drawings provided to the Commission we can approve this project with review of final details reviewed administratively. Mr. Near stated he will provide detailed drawings to Bradley Birge. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Fellows Rooftop Solar Panels, 56 Henry Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions – the conduit should be painted out to match the siding, guttering and roofing materials. The applicant provides updated drawings detailing conduit location and also the color pattern and this can be submitted for administrative approval. 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; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 The agenda was heard out of order due to lack of representation for item #2. 3. 2014.128 77 VAN DAM WINDOW REPLACEMENTS, 77 Van Dam Street, Architectural Review of window Replacements (north elevation) within the Urban Residential-2 District. Applicant: Tom Roohan Mr. Roohan stated his family has owned this property for over 30 years. The current windows which exist are 30 x 90 in size and located high above the radiators and they are very heavy to open. My primary concern is the north side of the building which does not get the sun. We would like to do these over a period of years because these are custom made metal clad wooden windows. An example of the proposed windows was provided for the Commission’s review. This would solve the problem with the windows and save energy. The windows will be in the dark brown color. Mr. Roohan indicated that Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation did a walkthrough of the site, and is in agreement with the current chosen product. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the new windows will be one over one with a fixed transom, in a dark brown color. The new glass size will be smaller, and the glass will be different in color especially with the screens. Mr. Roohan stated the window jambs will stay, and the apron will remain. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director – Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated I was hesitant to have any change in the window configuration on the side and the front because it is so visible. I do understand the concern the applicant has for his tenants, and this seems like a reasonable solution. Also, a recommendation was made to contact Historic Albany for the windows which will be removed. Robert DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the 77 Van Dam Window Replacements, 77 Van Dam Street, that the application be approved as submitted. It is noted that the applicant is encouraged to seek salvage opportunities for the removed windows. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 2. #2015.001 CAROLINE STREET PUB ENTRANCE DOORS, 11 Caroline Street, Historic Review of exterior Changes (entrance door) within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this is the only other application this evening. The applicant is requesting recessed entrance doors from single to double. Harvard green is the proposed color. A pair of doors with a full door sidelight was presented. This is off the street a ways and has more glass and looks better than what currently exists. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made the recommendation to table the application to allow the applicant to appear before the Commission in two weeks. There is concern regarding the lighting and the possibility of reconfiguring the lighting in lieu of the fact that what currently exists is not an outdoor fixture. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience would like to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated if there is going to be an alteration to the doors typically we would want to encourage them to go back to a historic doorway, which was a single door City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – March 18, 2015 - Page 2 of 3 entrance. This building never had a double door entrances. If you look down most of Caroline Street or Broadway most of the businesses have a single door entrance. Following the guidelines we should encourage retaining original door openings. Discussion ensued among the Commission regarding the application request. It was the consensus of the Commission to table this application and have the applicant return in two weeks. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Commission caravan, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. Design Review Commission workshop, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the meeting minutes was deferred to the April 1, 2015 Design Review Commission meeting due to lack of Commission members. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 4/15/15 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – March 18, 2015 - Page 3 of 3