Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Richard Martin; Robert West; Karen Cavotta; Cynthia Corbett; Leslie DiCarlo, STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development, City of Saratoga Springs CALL TO ORDER: Steven Rowland, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:04 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. A. PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the intent of the consent agenda is to identify any applications that appear to be “approvable” without the need for further evaluation or discussion. If any DRC member or member of the audience wishes to discuss/explore any proposed consent agenda item, then that item would be pulled from the “consent agenda” and dealt with individually. We have had a request to remove the 60 Henry Street from the consent agenda. 1. 2015.077 THE WISE BUILDING WALL SIGNAGE, 60 Railroad Place, Architectural Review of a Commercial wall signage within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. 2. 2015.097 SANCTUARY SPA SIGNAGE, 72 Railroad Place, Architectural Review of a commercial wall signage within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. 3. 2015.093 ROCCO RESIDENCE SOLAR INSTALLATION, 16 Leonard Road, Architectural Review of a rooftop solar installation within the Office-Medical Business-1 District. 4. 2015.096 60 HENRY STREET EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS, 60 Henry Street, Historic Review of exterior modifications within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on any of the above applications. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of The Wise Building Wall Signage, 60 Railroad Place, Sanctuary Spa Signage, 72 Railroad Place, Rocco Residence Solar Installation, 16 Leonard Road applications that they 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 DRC APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: NOTE: No representative present for Consent Agenda Item 2015.093 – placed at the end of the agenda. 1. 2015.087.CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA ADDITION, 69 Caroline Street, Historic Review to an existing Building within the Urban Residential-4 District. Applicant: David Martin, President, Board of Directors-Childrens Museum Agent: Vic Cinquino, Architect Mr. Cinquino stated essentially there are three elements to this addition. The applicant is proposing an 800 square foot second floor addition over a first floor addition which currently exists. Also proposing a 224 square foot vestibule. A new stairway and entryway to the museum. A visual presentation was provided. The applicant reviewed all elevations. A review of materials was provided for the Commission. The second floor addition will be brick to match the existing building. The vestibule area will be essentially glass and stucco will be used for the entryway. A heated stairway will be provided for safety as well as handrails. Current parking signage is being reworked. Signage package will be addressed at a later date. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Robert West made a motion in the matter of the Children’s Museum at Saratoga Addition, 69 Caroline Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions: a list of material choices for each building element be provided. The applicant is to return for future signage program compliant with zoning. 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 2. 2015.080 BROADWAY BALCONY, 519 BROADWAY, historic review of the addition of a new balcony on an Existing building within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Jason Thomas, 519 Broadway LLC Mr. Thomas stated he is proposing a balcony addition to their current apartment. A door will be constructed through the existing masonry wall. This will be a fire rated door. The sprinkler system will also be extended. This cannot be seen from the street. This will be a steel balcony with railing system which we will paint black. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of 519 Broadway Building Balcony Addition, 519 Broadway that the application be approved as submitted and shown on the architects plans. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 2 of 8 Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 3. 2015.055 EXCELSIOR PARK PHASE 2, EXCELSIOR AVENUE AND WHISTLER COURT, Architectural Review of construction of 3 new apartment buildings within the Transect=5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: Peter Rosecrans, Burns Management Agent: Dominick Ranieri, DR Architecture; Dave Carr, LA Group Mr. Ranieri stated we have been before this Commission previously. We are presenting 3 new apartment buildings all identical. The applicant is hoping for Mass and Scale approval for this project. Mr. Ranieri provided a quick overview of the project which incorporates some of the changes which were made. The project entails 3 apartment buildings which are identical. The first two buildings to be built are buildings B and C which front on Whistler Court. The front elevations were reviewed as well as noting the residential entrance portion is elevated above the grade which was suggested by staff to keep the building in line with architectural components. The brick was extended out from the center of the building and actually wraps the building. We have some sloping variations with all three of the buildings. The ground floor is the parking garage for all the units. It has two garage doors. Trash rooms are in each building. No trash chute. These bins are brought out into the court where there is courtside pickup. Electric rooms and sprinkler rooms are also located on the same level as the trash rooms. All exiting requirements were reviewed. Mr. Ranieri reviewed the unit types and locations noting all units have metal railings and porch balconies. Material samples were provided for the Commission’s review. Gas meters are housed outside in an enclosed area. Roof plans were reviewed for the Commission. All condenser units will be on the roof and will not be visible. Roof penetrations and venting are also on the roof except for a few on the façade, which will be painted out to match. Building positioning was reviewed with City staff and was acceptable meeting the City standards. The landscaping proposed for this area will enhance the building. We will also plant trees in the court area. The A building is seen up and down Excelsior Avenue. This is very much in view until further development. In meeting with staff we decided to make a common area, with benches and this helped to break up the façade. A rendering was provided showing this area. A limestone will be used on the base and high quality smooth vinyl will be used on the main structure. Vinyl windows painted black. All the color schemes blend together. Lighting on the building will be LED small high hats in the canopy. Richard Martin stated he feels bad that we are seeing so much vinyl. Hardy board has a much nicer presence. There are some products available when installed correctly will provide many years of service. It is all in the correct installation. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed materials and their impact on the building. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development reminded the Commission that within the Transect zones you are building new neighborhoods. You are not having just one structure going in there are three, perhaps four. You are setting a precedent for these buildings and establishing a threshold for these buildings plus what comes after that. So have to be secure enough in those materials and how they perform, and the visibility as well as the aesthetics. This is the first step to what you are going to see in the future. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the biggest concern the Commission has is the vinyl siding. Karen Cavotta stated there are other materials being used in conjunction with the vinyl. There is cement board siding and steel. It is not the dominate material. I wish there was a larger building for us to see this product on. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated he loves the use of the large brick. This is a great application for this. Cynthia Corbett made a motion in the matter of the Excelsior Park Phase 2, Excelsior Avenue and Whistler Court, that the application be approved as submitted or shown on the attached plans. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 3 of 8 Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, opposed; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-1 4. 2015.008 77 EXCELSIOR MIXED USE PROJECT, Architectural Review of a proposed 3 building mixed use Development within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: Todd Curley, Beechwood Prime Agent: Michael Tuck, Melissa Clark, Balzer & Tuck; Dave Carr, LA Group Mr. Tuck stated we were here back in January to begin the Special Use Permit process before the Planning Board. It was the Planning Board’s request that we present this project to the Commission and to receive a sense of appropriateness of the design. There was a large discussion concerning civic space and the overall master plan of the development. Mr. Tuck stated they further developed the access drive and incorporated a plaza space. We received our Special Use Permit from the Planning Board on July 8, 2015. A visual presentation of the site was provided for the Commission. We are currently looking at three existing buildings; the Fresh Market building about 20,000 square feet and that was built first. The second building is 20,000 square feet of commercial. Building three has just begun construction and is the project just presented. A review of elevations for three proposed new buildings was provided. A portion of the building is commercial and the other portion is an open lower level, loft style for home business use, and the intent is to market it as such. Mr. Tuck reviewed all elevations as well as an area for civic space. A water feature will be added to this area. Building 4 is four stories high and houses approximately 54 apartments and 14,000 square feet of commercial space. Visual renderings of building 5, all residential and building 6, all residential. Civic space is required for the project. A small water feature is added and seating area off the access road into the site. Building heights and its compatibility with the site were reviewed. Floor plans of the work/live space were reviewed. Some massing diagrams were also reviewed by Mr.Tuck and updated. Mr. Tuck did provide a preliminary plan of the landscaping proposed in this area. Also a review of the screening of roofing equipment and standing seam roofing in several areas. There will be a mechanical corral on the roof. We are currently working with engineering to finalize other venting options for bathrooms, etc., on balconies. A review of materials was provided to the Commission a combination of glass for the storefronts, reinforcing the commercial aspect of this floor of the building; with stone and fiber cement siding. A color palette was provided for the Commission’s review. Building 5 is an entirely residential building with the entire basement level for parking. All of these units have balconies. Juliet balconies are provided on the pool side of the building. The applicant is still working these balconies to ensure they do not take away from the pool terrace. A review of all elevations was provided. Trash will be collected in the trash rooms and wheeled out for collection by a private sanitation company. Building 6 was reviewed. A review of the parking for this building was provided. A floor plan of the apartments was reviewed. We are looking at adding some skylights to the units at the top of the building. There are parapets on some corners to shield mechanicals. There are 47 units in this building with a total of 90 units in the development. Building 6 has 47 units, building 5 has 27units, and building 4 has 16. A review of all elevations was provided. There is an entrance on Route 50 even though it cannot be accessed from the road. A sidewalk system will be provided for access around the building. The materials on this building are identical to building 3 which is currently being constructed. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Commission will review the buildings in order, beginning with building 4. Discussion ensued regarding the decking system proposed on the balconies, guttering and ceiling treatments for the decks. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated building 5; the balconies will have some of the same issues as building 4. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 4 of 8 Richard Martin questioned the location of the meter banks and mailboxes. Mr. Tuck stated the meter banks will be located at the back of the building on an external wall. Ms. Clark stated the gas meters will be worked into the recesses in the building so they will not be visible from the street. Electrical meters will be located inside the building. Mr. Tuck stated mailboxes are externally mounted flush into the wall. Building 6 has mailroom and trash chutes. Buildings 4 and 5 do not. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated moving onto building 6, please review the proposed materials for this building. Mr. Tuck stated this building is identical to building 3. This was done deliberately. Fiber cement panels with a reveal. Brick veneer. These are all on a batten system. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated that the building looks so massive in comparison to the Fresh Market store. This just towers over the Fresh Market. Mr. Tuck stated the parapet at the face of the building facing Route 50 is 4 ½ feet above the Fresh Market store. Discussion ensued regarding building 6 in relation to the Fresh Market building. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman requested a photograph from this perspective. How the building will look behind the trees with the grading. It would help to get a better feel of it. Steven Rowland, Chairman questioned the outside parking on grade. Mr. Tuck stated this parking serves the units. Its location is driven by a utility easement. Steven Rowland, Chairman questioned the amount and type of buffering to this parking is proposed. Mr. Tuck stated along the building is very tight. Landscaping was provided where it could be located given the constraints of the site. It seems we need to provide additional views of this building. Look at that parking and some of the balcony ceiling finishes. Also the articulation of the gables on the building. Karen Cavotta stated she has some concern about the long solid elements. Somehow making the corner more open feeling more like an entry. This is a hub with a lot of interaction happening. Perhaps an element that wrapped around the building. Maybe a pergola or something. There is a great opportunity here. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated since there is some discussion left on building 6 perhaps the Commission could offer Mass and Scale approval on buildings 4 and 5 and the application return for approval on building 6. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of 77 Excelsior Mixed Use Project, 77 Excelsior Avenue, that the application be approved with the following conditions: Mass and Scale approval for Buildings 4 & 5, with details and specific material submissions to follow. Cynthia Corbett seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 5 of 8 Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 7-0 NOTE: Commission member Richard Martin recused from the following application and exited the meeting. 5. 2015.035 O’DONNELL EXTERIOR CHANGES,17 Marion Place, Historic Review of external modifications to an existing building within the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Lauren O’Donnell Steven Rowland, Chairman provided some history on this application. The applicant was to replace, restore or recreate the windows which were lost on both the south and east gable elevations with wood to replicate what was original to the home. The applicant has agreed to that. Cynthia Corbett stated they also had a question about putting cedar shades in the gable end. These fiber cement ones are fairly flat and do not have the texture that cedar has. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated there are fiber cement shingles in the gable end currently. The same exists on the south facing gable. The porch on the south side was also in question. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated from the top down. The roof, the slate was removed and asphalt shingles were added to that. All of the cedar shakes were removed and were replaced with hardy plank on both the south and east gable elevations. The clapboard on east façade under the porch is original. The remainder is hardy plank. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated what we have been told is that on the second floor level it was two triple track windows on the outside of a single window. The first floor has a single window on this façade as well. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development asked how many windows were replaced and what were they replaced with. Ms. O’Donnell stated Anderson aluminum clad wooden windows on the first and second floor. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated obviously the difficulty with this is that the work was done ahead of time without proper approvals. It puts everyone including the applicant in this situation. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated three stop work orders were issued and ignored. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated what the Commission needs to determine is what we need to ask the applicant to do. Discussion ensued regarding what renovations the Commission is looking to have the applicant perform to retain the historic look of the structure. Robert West stated he feels the 3rd floor window with the arch is the real issue, along with the trim detail and the plinth. That should be returned. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated she is proposing that at the very least the front façade materials be returned back to what originally existed on the home. The clapboard underneath the porch would remain it is clapboard. The clapboard on the front façade second floor be returned to wooden clapboard. The fiber cement cedar shakes which are on the gable in the front be replaced with cedar shakes. I feel that this is a very reasonable request considering the remainder of the rest of the facades have been jeopardized. I think at least returning the front façade mitigates some of the City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 6 of 8 loss. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we did review the side porch on the south side. Some changes were made to the columns. The new side porch is to be trimmed with Azek with no exposed pressure treated wood. Columns on the porch to be increased in diameter from the handrails down to the base. Replace the front façade with cedar shingles on the second floor façade wrapping around to the chimney. Lattice work to match the front porch and to be trimmed out. Leslie DiCarlo stated she was concerned regarding the setting of a precedent. That is what worries me the most. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development reviewed the guidelines set forth by the Secretary of the Interior Standards and the City of Saratoga Springs. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated he does not have a problem with the asphalt shingles. Karen Cavotta stated there is always hope that someone, someday may return this roof back to slate. I am happy we are getting the architectural details back. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we need to come up with a motion and act on it, so the applicant can move forward. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the O’Donnell Exterior Changes, 17 Marion Place, that the application be approved with the following conditions: The applicant to restore the south and east 3rd floor gable windows and trim with wooden replicas of the original. Replace south and east 3rd floor gables fiber cement shakes with cedar shakes. The new side porch is to be trimmed with Azek with no exposed pressure treated wood. Columns on the porch to be increased in diameter from the handrails down to the base. Replace the front façade with cedar shingles on the second floor façade wrapping around to the chimney on the south side. Steven Rowland, 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, opposed; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-1 APPLICATION REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: No representation present for this application. 4. 2015.096 60 HENRY STREET EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS, 60 Henry Street, Historic Review of exterior modifications within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this item was pulled from the consent agenda. We have fairly limited information. We had additional concerns regarding the balusters. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation commented as well. The applicants want to eliminate the solid baluster and replace it with traditional individual baluster system. We would like it to go to a 24 with a booster rail above. Also, we would like to increase the circumference of the baluster since the sample provided is too thin and too modern. Discussion ensued regarding what the Commission would like to see for the balusters. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of 60 Henry Street Exterior Modifications, 60 Henry Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions: Provide sample baluster for administrative approval. Coordinate the height with the building department to be 24” in height with a booster rail to assure code compliance. Tamie Ehinger seconded the motion. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 7 of 8 Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Commission caravan, Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Commission workshop, Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:35 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 7/6/16 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – November 4, 2015 - Page 8 of 8