Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Richard Martin; Leslie DiCarlo; Cynthia Corbett SKYPE: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman ABSENT: 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 7:04 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. 1. 2016.010 MR. FORMAL WEAR SIGNAGE, 3 Hampstead Place Suite 1-3, Architectural Review of signage Within the Transect-4 Urban Neighborhood District. 2. 2016.013 ST. PETER’S PRIMARY CARE SIGN, 8 Circular St., Architectural Review of a wall sign within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if any member of the Commission has any questions or concerns regarding the consent agenda item. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience had any questions or comments on the item on the consent agenda. None heard. Steven Rowland made a motion in the matter of the applications of Mr. Formal Wear Signage, 3 Hampstead Place, Suite 1- 3, and St. Peter’s Primary Care Sign, 8 Circular Street that the applications be approved as submitted. 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; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 B. DRC APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATIONS: 3. 2016.009 SARATOGA CLEANERS WALL SIGN, 228 Washington Street, Architectural Review of a wall sign within the Transect-4 Urban Neighborhood District. Agent: Wayne Wheeler, AJ Sign Company Mr. Wheeler stated the applicant is proposing a 4x10 wall sign. The sign depicted in the photograph is a banner. Currently there is no wall sign. This banner will be replaced with the wall sign. Mr. Wheeler stated after discussion with staff today, we are proposing aligning the bottom edge of the sign with the top of the windows. This signage will be 7 to 8 feet in height versus 15 feet as previously shown. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a suggestion to center the signage between the two windows. Mr. Wheeler stated that is the plan. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any other 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. Leslie DiCarlo made a motion in the matter of the Saratoga Cleaners Wall Sign, 228 Washington Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions – that the bottom edge of the sign be aligned with the top of the windows, and be centered between them. 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; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 NOTE: The agenda was heard out of order due to the lack of representation for Agenda Item #4. 5. 2016.011 GROSECLOSE/POLNAC PORCH RESTORATION, 136 Circular St., Historic Review of porch restoration within the Urban Residential-3 District. Agent: Brett Balzer & Tim Wade, Balzer Tuck Architecture Mr. Balzer stated the applicants are proposing a porch restoration in a historic district on Circular Street. We are proposing to reconstruct what was originally a historic porch on this historic home. We are studying and intend on achieving this through historic photographs. The owners have come into possession of three photographs which show the progression of the home over time. We have been before the ZBA and last month they granted area variances for both front and side yard setbacks. We are here seeking final approval. A visual presentation was provided to the Commission. This will be a 9’ addition to the front of the home and 8’6” addition to the north of the home. This will allow the wraparound porch construction. The porch will be wood construction, mahogany decking, and we are trying to match the stone on the home currently to the stone pier columns. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 17, 2016 - Page 2 of 5 Historic photographs were also a part of the presentation. The Saratoga Spring Preservation Foundation has submitted a letter of support. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this looks great. It makes our job easy. It is a great project and we are happy that the owners are investing the effort and capital into this home. 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. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated the Foundation appreciates the applicant’s investment into such a great project. We look forward to seeing it constructed. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Groseclose Polnac Porch Restoration, 136 Circular Street, that the application be approved as submitted on the shown or attached plans. Also noted, if handrails are required, approval will be granted via Administrative Approval by the Chair. Leslie DiCarlo 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; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 6. 2016.012 MARTELL RESIDENCE WINDOW REPLACEMENTS, 40 Franklin St., Historic Review of window replacements within the Urban Residential-4 District. Applicant: Chris Martell, owner Mr. Martell stated he purchased this property in 2015. I am trying to restore the home and it is in severe disrepair. The front has windows which are not original and are 1 over 1. The side has windows which are 6 over 6. The front windows are in poor condition and not in good working order. I would like to install new windows with a uniform look. In speaking with Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, she indicated these windows would have been a 6 over 6. I am comfortable going to the 6 over 6 pattern. Photographs of the windows were provided to the Commission for your review. I am planning on using Anderson “E” series windows throughout the home. Cynthia Corbett stated she appreciates the documentation with the photographs noting the disrepair of the windows. She is still struggling with the idea of taking out the original windows on the side. Our guidelines state repair rather than replace. I would like to see as much of the original fabric of the home retained. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this has been a key topic of discussion for this Commission. I appreciate your taking on this project. I would like to see the house windows be consistent. 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. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated consistency by having 6 over 6 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 17, 2016 - Page 3 of 5 muntin pattern on the front of the home would be retaining the original window pattern. I appreciate the applicant is willing to consider the 6 over 6. I am advocating more specific and consistent guidelines for submission for window replacements in historic homes. That would be helpful as we move forward with these. Our ordinance states repair rather than replace, but that is not new to the Commission. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated the consistency in the front with the new 6 over 6 is not inappropriate. The home will look 100% better. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Martell Residence Window Replacements at 40 Franklin Street that the application be approved with the following conditions – The new windows shall be a 6 over 6 muntin pattern throughout to be consistent with the originally detailing of the house. Match the sill profiles as close as possible. Richard Martin seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there is any further discussion. Samantha Bosshart, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated when the new windows are installed they should be recessed back versus right on the façade. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, opposed; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-1 7. 2016.002 SAUTTER EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS, 150 Washington Street, Architectural Review of exterior Modifications within the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Ron Sautter, owner Mr. Sautter stated the front part of the building is brick so that stays the same with the exception of the windows. The rear portion of the building is wood and I would like to install vinyl siding. All the windows are in disrepair and I would like to replace them with Anderson windows a sample photograph of the proposed windows was provided to the Commission. We are proposing white vinyl siding. Mr. Sautter stated the porch will be another project at another time. Steven Rowland, Chairman suggested true corner boards and true casings and trim around the windows and corners and doors. This will give the project a little better feel. Mr. Sautter stated he is acceptable to this change. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the audience. None heard. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Sautter Exterior Modifications, 150 Washington Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions that the vinyl siding will be trimmed out with rigid PVC trims at the corners and wrapped around the windows and the doors. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 17, 2016 - Page 4 of 5 VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 8. 2016.007 WOODLAWN AVENUE WINDOW, 75 Woodlawn Avenue, Architectural Review of an exterior Modification within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Agent: Tonya Yasenchak, Engineering America Ms. Yasenchak stated there is a tenant who has a shop on the first floor of the building. She has requested a window be placed on that side of the building. It is very dark in the shop. Several considerations were provided for window placement on the building however, they did not equate to proper placement inside. There was very limited placement inside. Therefore, we are proposing one single double hung window. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the side of the building is a blank façade and one window certainly wouldn’t hurt, maybe even one or two more. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on this application. None heard. Cynthia Corbett made a motion in the matter of 75 Woodlawn Avenue Window Addition, 75 Woodlawn Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted or shown on the attached plans. 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; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 APPLICATION TABLED 2016.008 DWORE RESIDENCE GARAGE, 34 North Lane, Historic Review of a detached 2 car garage within The Urban Residential-4 District. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Caravan, Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 4:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:58 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 1/18/17 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 17, 2016 - Page 5 of 5