Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2016 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Karen Cavotta; Cynthia Corbett; Leslie DiCarlo ABSENT: Richard Martin; Robert West 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. PRESENTATION 2016 SARATOGA SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director provided a visual presentation of the 2016 Preservation Awards to the Design Review Commission. A. PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: NOTE: The intent of a consent agenda is to identify any applications that appear to be “approvable” without 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. 2016.050 RICHMOND RESIDENCE ROOF SOLAR INSTALLATION, 17 North Avenue, Architectural Review of a rooftop Solar installation within the Urban Residential-2 District. 2. 2012.038.2 BEST WESTERN FREESTANDING SIGN, 3291 South Broadway, Architectural Review of a change in copy of existing freestanding sign within the Tourist-related Business District. 3. 2013.093.2 53 PUTNAM ST. EXTENISON, 53 Putnam Street, seeking 18-month extension of an Historic Review approval for exterior renovaiton to an existing building within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone on the Commission had any questions or comments on this application. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of Richmond Residence Roof Solar Installation, 17 North Avenue, Best Western Freestanidng Sign, 3291 South Broadway, 53 Putnam Street Extension, 53 Putnam Street, that the applications be approved as submitted. 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 A. DRC APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. 2016.052 TORPEY RESIDENCE PORCH STEPS, 153 Phila Street, Historic Review of front staircase replacement within the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Ben Torpey Mr. Torpey is a representative for his parents. His father, Mark Torpey, is the Chairman of the Planning Board. Mr. Torpey stated their home was built in 1893 and was purchased by the Torpey’s in 2001. At that time the home had brick steps with a wrought iron railing, which were substantially deteriorating. The front porch steps were replaced in 2010 with wooden steps. These steps are now deteriorating and they would like to replace those with more robust materials. The applicants did view a variety of steps in the neighborhood. The applicants are proposing a cast iron staircase. There are no cast iron elements around the city. Black powder coated railings. The applicants have spoken to their neighbors concerning this proposal. There was no objection. Photographs were provided to the Commission. Leslie DiCarlo stated the cast iron steps are really not appropriate for a residential home. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated it is an interesting, cool design and it is not permanent. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any thoughts or comments from the Commission. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Commission is in receipt of a letter from the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director provided historic photographs of the home and the stairs were wood. There are three relevant standards per your ordinance that you would be ignoring by approving these stairs. Ms. Bosshart reviewed the ordinance and the DRC guidelines . The stairs are beautiful but would be better served in an urban setting. These do not fit the standards the Commission is held to. These are historically inappropriate. Discussion ensued regarding choice of materials for the staircase. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated they do not fit with the design of the house. They are beautiful stairs, not appropriate for the house. Outside guidelines for a historic district. A suggestion for the applicant is that we table this application until the next meeting of the Commission on the 20th of July. We would like to provide the applicant an opportunity to return before the Commission with perhaps an alternative design and we hope for better attendance at that time. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman suggested the stairs be used on another façade of the building perhaps. It was the applicants decision to table this application until the July 20, 2016 meeting. 2. 2016.053 PREDKO RESIDENCE PORCH STEPS, 152 Spring Street, Historic Review of front staircase replacement within the Urban Residential-4 District. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – July 6, 2016 - Page 2 of 5 Applicant: Peter Predko, owner Mr. Predko stated the home was built in the 1890’s. The stairs have sunken and moved away from the home due to the deterioration of the sidewalk. The project involves redoing the steps with wooden mahogany stairs and spindles, similar to what currently exists. The applicant stated they will also replace the sidewalk and are working with DPW. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Commission. Steven Rowland, Chairman aksed if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated they appreciate the efforts of the applicant replacing the stairs with historically accuragte steps on his home. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of Predko Residence Porch Steps, 152 Spring Street, that the application be approved as submitted. Note: Recommend consideration of maintenance and materials of the treads for wear and finish. 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 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 LLC Agent: Michael Tuck, Balzer Tuck Architects Mr. Tuck stated we appeared before the Commission on June 15, 2016 and received Mass and Scale approval for Building 6. We were requested to return before the Commission to discuss the finishes on Buildings 4 and 5. A visual presentation was provided to the Commission. A review of the site was provided. Building 4 is the building which is being focused on this evening. Retail commercial space on the ground floor as well as three work/live spaces. New drawings were submitted to the Commission. A review of materials was provided for the Commission, eave trims and rake trims were of special interest to the Commission. The pool terrace area was reviewed. The cabana space has moved to the interior allowing for a much airier space. Current renderings of the pool terrace were provided to the Commission. A water feature is also proposed in this area. Elevations were reviewed. We are proposing mostly architectural asphalt shingles for Building 4 and 5 for the entirety of the upper roof with standing seam roof accents over windows and over entry doors. Composition of fiber cement siding varying from a standard lap siding to a larger 1 foot 4 inch reveal horizontal panel as a base feature. More traditional board and batten is proposed. A stone panel system is proposed for the area along Excelsior Avenue and the pool side. A sample of the primary elevation gable was provided showing how the colors are blended. Windows are aluminum clad with a black finish. Venting placement was reviewed, noting all venting has been placed off the front façades to become less conspicious. Limited roof penetrations and those were corraled into a well on the roof. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commission. Discussion ensued regarding balcony materials. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – July 6, 2016 - Page 3 of 5 Mr. Tuck explained the construction of the decks. Steven Rowland, Chairman requested a sample of the decking materials. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the concern he has is the pool area and how successful that is going to be. The space is fairly narrow between two very large buildings. You have created a nice space but my concern is that it might be under utilized. Discussion ensued regarding the use of face fasteners for the fiber cement panels, which are very evident on Building 3. Mr. Tuck stated he will investigate the fastening system and report back to the Commission. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the new elements which have been added and some which have been reintroduced have really helped. The only thing I am struggling with is there was stone at the entrance and it is now gone, the suggestion of larger doors will help to make that stronger. Perhaps the lighting and handrail details would be helpful. A sample of the stone would be helpful for the Commission to see as well. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated to the Commission that what is being built here is a neighborhood. He reminded the Commission that the quality of materials being used should be better than the properties adjacent to them. Your desire is to make sure each new building sets an equal if not higher threshold. I urge the Commission to be very comfortable in what you expect to see out there. You want to make sure you are allowing for quality buildings that will withstand the test of time. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated things are headed in the right direction. We will review the few items we requested to see and we will review the stone and move on to Building 5. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Caravan, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Workshop, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2015 Design Review Commission meeting with corrections as noted. Cynthia Corbett seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2015 Design Review Commission meeting with corrections as noted. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2015 Design Review Commission meeting with corrections as noted. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – July 6, 2016 - Page 4 of 5 Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 2, 2015 Design Review Commission meeting with corrections as noted. Leslie DiCarlo seconded the motion. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Cynthia Corbett, in favor; Karen Cavotta in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 5/3/17 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – July 6, 2016 - Page 5 of 5