Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Richard Martin; Robert West; Karen Cavotta; Cynthia Corbett LATE ARRIVAL: Leslie DiCarlo arrived at 7:07 P.M. STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development 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. A. DRC APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 2016.045 JONSSON TOWER VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY, Architectural review of rooftop cellular antennas within the INST-ED District. Applicant: Verizon Wireless Agent: Dave Brennan, Attorney, Young, Sommers; Kirk Kolakowski, Aerosmith Development Mr. Brennan stated the applicant is requesting colocation of equipment on the Jonsson Tower, Skidmore Campus. This proposal is noted to co-locate all the equipment inside the building. The antennas are either sled mounted or flush mounted on the building. This includes the radio equipment and electronics. Photographs were provided to the Commission. This site has been long sought. This site is a centrally located facility able to transmit to all areas of the campus. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. 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 Jonsson Tower Verizon Communications Facility, Skidmore College, North Broadway that the application 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; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 Commission member Leslie DiCarlo arrived at 7:07 P.M. 2. 2016.034.1 MOORE HALL DEMO/CONDO CONSTRUCTION, 28 Union Avenue/35 White Street, Historic Review of the demolition of Moore Hall and construction of 26 condo units within the Urban Residential-4 District. RECUSAL: Steven Rowland, Chairman recused himself from this application. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman assumed the duties of the Chair. Applicant: Bonacio Construction, LLC; Tony Bonacio Agent: Brett Balzer, Joe Paradis, Balzer & Tuck Architecture Mr. Balzer stated the applicant was last before this Commission on April 20, 2016. Renderings of the project were provided for the Commissions review. We are here this evening to seek demolition approval for Moore Hall and final approval of the five proposed buildings. A visual presentation was provided of the site as it currently exists and the proposed buildings and the project. The applicant has appeared before the ZBA for variances which were required and they have been obtained. Mechanicals will be housed on the roof in the roof well. A review of all elevations as it relates to the other buildings and homes in the area. Mr. Balzer began the presentation with a review of the main building. Materials and stone samples were provided for the Commissions review. Cedar siding with solid stains, fiberglass shingle roofing with copper accents; brick chimneys with clay pots. Buildings 2 & 3 will be carriage houses and will be placed along North Alley. No mechanicals are proposed on the roofs. Review of all elevations of Building 2 and 3. Materials were reviewed. Building 4 is a single unit which will fill in a gap on North Lane. A review of floor plans. No mechanicals will be placed on the roof. Building 5 is kept down in scale to fit within the neighborhood along White Street. These are rowhouse type style units. No mechanicals proposed on the roof. A review of elevations. No changes in Mass and Scale. All penetrations will be off of Union Avenue, east and west penetrations for laundry for furnace and bathrooms. Fireplaces vented to the roof. Meterbanks in the basement of the front building. Buildings 2, 3, 4 and 5 located along the side of the building as well as the condenser units. Mahogany decking for the porches. Turret detail was reviewed. All trash to be handled internally, for building 1. Trash room in the basement, and barrelled out. A screened enclosure is provided on site. Richard Martin questioned snow removal on the porous pavement system. Mr. Bonacio reviewed the plan for snow removal and plowing. Mr. Balzer reviewed site lighting on the street scape as per city’s code. All proposed lighting will be surface mounted and down facing. Mr. Balzer stated the garage doors will be painted. The doors on the homes will be custom built mahogany stained. Richard Martin questioned roof runoff and roofing materials. Mr. Martin stated the proposed stone element is a great look and entirely appropriate for the area. Mr. Balzer stated copper guttering will be collecting runoff. Architectural shingles will be used for the roofing. A review of the entranceway retaining wall and railing system was provided to the Commission. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated in the architectural and historical review, we have relatively revised guidelines and standards concerning what the path of the Commission is concerning demolition. In both the Architectural and Historical Districts the first question is there any historical or architectural significance to the building. If there is not then the Commission can move the application forward. If you determine Architectural or Historical significance, then a different process is put in place. Brett Balzer stated the applicant’s are in receipt of two letters which they have shared with the Commisssion – one was from the National Parks stating this is a non contributing structure. A second letter was received from the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stating their determination is that it is not a contributing structure to the Union Avenue Historic District. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – June 15, 2016 - Page 2 of 6 Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Moore Hall Demolition, 28 Union Avenue/North Lane, that the application in reference to the demolition portion be accepted as proposed. Robert West seconded the motion. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: 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: 6-0 Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated in terms of Mass and Scale. The Commission is now skewing away from reviewing five or more buildings at one time. It becomes very confusing and overwhelming. Concerning these particular residential buildings because they are in a very promient section of the City we need to review them as a whole. After the entire presentation I am comfortable with Mass and Scale. The height works and the way the buildings are articulated certainly fits in with the neighborhood. Cynthia Corbett also stated she agrees with Tamie and feels the green space around the buildings is a good thing. Robert West stated the scale of building 4 and 5 fits well within its space and the height articualtion fits within this residential neighborhoood. Brett Balzer stated we are very sensitive to the neighborhood. We have walked the area and performed exhaustive research prior to the design of this project. Karen Cavotta stated she feels comfortable with the front 3 buildings. The smaller buildings on the alley and White Street she is having difficulty visualizing them on the lot as they are currently presented and green space availability. Discussion ensued regarding the massing and the siting of the buildings of the site for buildings 4 and 5. Leslie DiCarlo stated she is fine with the buildings and the project as presented for Mass and Scale approval. Cynthia Corbett stated she is fine as well with the project as it relates to Mass and Scale. Robert West stated he is fine with the project and Mass and Scale approval. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, stated is anyone in the audience wishing to comment on the Mass and Scale portion of this application. None heard. Richard Martin stated it seems the Commission is fine with the Mass and Scale approval for all five buildings. However, he is not sure the level of detail concerning buildings 4 and 5 are ready for final approval. Brett Balzer, questioned what the Commission would be looking for in Buildings 4 and 5 for final approval on the project. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, stated there are several items on Buildings 1, 2 and 3 which she would like some clarification in terms of materials. We need clearer elevations. Closer details on balconies, elevation shown with details on mechanical penetrations such as venting and such. Just clarify those materials and some of the questions the Commission has. We are having trouble discerning some of these details on the renditions provided. Karen Cavotta requested the applicant provide the Commission with some larger sets or enlarged details because there is some difference between the two concerning the level of detail. I want to review some of the details. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – June 15, 2016 - Page 3 of 6 Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Moore Hall Demo and Condo Construction, 28 Union Avenue/35 White Street, that the application be approved for Mass and Scale on all 5 buildings. Cynthia Corbett seconded the motion. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: 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: 6-0 Robert West reviewed what the applicant will be providing when they return before the Commission for final approval. Side elevation penetrations, type of materials which will be used, copper accents, type of roofing, type of stone, siding choice, trim choices and how they all come together is what the Commission is looking for. The applicant will return with more information as per the Commissions request. Steven Rowland, Chairman resumed the duties of the Chair. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman resumed the duties of the Vice Chair. 3. 2016.051 THE ADELPHI HOTEL, 365 Broadway, Historic & Architectural Review of proposed streetscaping Elements within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Jeff Ward Agent: Tony Stellato, Ron Treers, CHA; Dominick Ranieri, Ranieri Architecture Mr. Stellato stated we have done a significant amount of work on the building. We would also like to speak about the streetscape. A visual presentation of the streetscape proposed was provided by Ron Trees, CHA. Materials were reviewed as well as the revamping of the sidewalks. We will relieve the sloping issue. Granite patterns with lighter grey colors will appear on the side with bands which will be a darker granite. Café seating to the right and left of the seating area will be provided. Historic type railing for separation. 9 feet of concrete sidewalk. Granite walkway down the middle and granite stairway down to the street level. Period gas lights on the corner of the stairs. On the two sidewalk corners 3 headed Sternberg Lights will be installed. Radiant heated sidewalks. Streetscape is under the purview of the Department of Public Works. Richard Martin stated the streetscape presented looks ultra modern in comparison to the architecture of the hotel. Everything is squared off and marble which is something you would see in a modern building. What is the reasoning behind this? Discussion ensued regarding the streetscape proposed, pedestrian way and the change in grade as well as the elevations. Dominick Ranieri spoke regarding the building frontage and discussed the proposed lighting. Currently the façade color choice is chocolate brown. Original body of the building was tan or light color. Accents were a slightly darker color. The windows were black. The brick work is lost in the chocolate brown color. By painted the brickwork and the columns which will be brick painted white for accentuation details. Historically those were darker colors. Black and white is the color combination of choice with copper store front façades. Copper guttering as well. We were able to salvage all the old leaded glass. Interior windows behind the doors were salvaged and we are able to use the salvaged windows in the vestibule. Richard Martin stated in the past we have asked the applicant to paint a 10 x 10 section of the building along with the windows and storefronts. The Commission then would like to view this mock at a workshop before approving color choices. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – June 15, 2016 - Page 4 of 6 Steven Rowland, Chairman stated a mock up would be great. Also a paint chip samples as well as the sample of the awning and cut sheet for the lights are also required for the Commission’s review and the file. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated the trim work appears different around the windows. Mr. Ranieri stated it is how it is painted. Anything that is proud is to be painted black. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the next meeting of the Design Review Commission is scheduled for July 6, 2016 and final approval for color will be determined at that time. The applicant reviewed what the Commission has asked for concerning mock-ups. An onsite visit is to be scheduled. 4. 2015.008 77 EXCELSIOR MIXED-USE PROJECT, 77 Excelsior Avenue, Architectural Review of a proposed 3- building mixed-use development within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: Beechwood Prime – Todd Curley, Prime Properties Agent: Michael Tuck and Melissa Clarke, Balzer Tuck Architects Mr. Tuck stated we are here to speak about Building 6, 77 Excelsior Avenue this evening. Our first appearance before this Commission on February 4, 2015. We received some good comments. Over the past year we have made some changes. We have been back and forth between the Planning Board and the DRC. We have moved forward with Special Use. We were asked to reappear for Building 6 and the entry. The Commission recommended enchancing this feature. We had not fully resolved the covered parking portion along the east elevattion and concerns were voiced as it meets the ground. The parking level wasn’t resolved. At the back of the parking spaces concern was voiced concerning materials and we are looking for feedback on Mass and Scale. We also spoke about the upper roof level along Route 50. It was the Commissions thought that we look at some exposed railings to give a sense of life and activity. This building is similar to Building 3 which has been completed along with the landscaping to provide the Commission with a sense of what this Building will look like. A visual presentation of the site was provided as well as a review of the sizes of the buildings and the ground floor of Building 6 was viewed. Column widths were enhanced. The roof plan was reviewed. A visual rendering of the building was provided as well as elevations for Building 6. A review of the proposed changes was provided. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Commission has felt that this building is big for the location. I still feel it is rather large. The presentation tonight is an improvement, especially the covered parking areas, they do contribute to the size of it. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated the east elevation details look good. It reads less massive. The north façade facing Route 50 still reads flat. It just doesn’t have the same detail. This is one of the most important details on the access road to Saratoga. You will be driving past it coming from the north. Karen Cavotta stated she like the changes. This building has come a long, long way. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated lightening up the brick color maybe something brighter to make it pop. Uniting the bays has helped break up the façade. Darker color on the top floor helps. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman questioned the elevation with the three stark windows which seem out of place. Perhaps changing them with paired windows would help. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. Mr. Tuck stated the applicant is looking for Mass and Scale approval this evening, if the Commission is comfortable with it. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated the height works. It is a big building and has come a long way. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated Mass and Scale approval has been given to Buildings 4 & 5, and now 6. Approval of this layout will be establishing footprints, solidifying the footprints. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – June 15, 2016 - Page 5 of 6 Karen Cavotta stated there is a lot of construction on the site. Details on the all the other buildings are extremely important. Robert West stated is this how we want this site to be developed. The applicant has been through Zoning, Planning and the DRC. Is there a motion for Mass and Scale. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of the 77 Excelsior Avenue Mixed Use Project, Mass and Scale, for Building 6, that the application be approved for Mass and Scale only based on drawings dated 6/15/16. 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 UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Caravan, Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Workshop, Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2015 Design Review Commission meeting as amended. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Richard Martin, abstained; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 5/3/17 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – June 15, 2016 - Page 6 of 6