Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Richard Martin; Karen Cavotta; ABSENT: Cynthia Corbett; Leslie DiCarlo; Robert West STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development CALL TO ORDER: Steven Rowland, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:07 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. 2016.015 THE ADELPHI HOTEL, 365 Broadway, Historic Review of building color within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Jeff Ward, Construction Manager Agent: Dominick Ranieri, Architect Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the Commission has visited the site. Suffice it to say they were underwhelmed. They walked around Broadway looking at similar buildings built in the similar time frame. They really felt it should have more than two colors. Perhaps 4 or 5 colors with a shade difference which helps to bring out the details of the building. The building needs more colors. The white is too stark for the building. The Commission is looking for more color variations. Mr. Ranieri stated he understands the comments the Commission made. He requested assistance in choosing accent colors. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman stated she was overwhelmed with the color. Ms. Ehinger stated she saw details whe hadn’t seen before. Mr. Ranieri questioned the Commission on how many colors they are suggesting. Discussion ensued concerning the paint pallet and accent colors. Steven Rowland, Chairman requested the applicant provide 3 or 4 color pallets for DRC review. If the applicant can prepare some examples, forward it onto staff and it will be sent out to the Commission. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation stated she does not advocate for too many colors. Originally the building was painted to try to read as stone. It was not a decorative painted lady. Less is more. Black was used for windows on the muntins. She did provide some photographs to the applicant in the hope it helps with color choices. The applicant will provide several color schemes and submit them to staff. The applicant will return before the Commission on August 3, 2016. 2. 2016.056 RIP VAN DAM HOTEL EXPANSION, 353 Broadway, Historic Review of an expansion of an existing structure within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Bruce Levinsky Agent: Jim Quinn Steven Rowland, Chairman stated there are no decisions on file for this project. No formal approval was rendered. When the applicant returns before the Commission and a presentation is made, Mass and Scale approval will allow the project to progress. We will table this application at this time. Mr. Levinskly stated they will come back and will review the presentation then and will be requesting a decision concerning Mass and Scale. 3. 2016.055 HAMILTON STREET PARKING GARAGE, 260 Hamilton Street, Architectural Review of a Parking structure within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Bruce Levinsky Agent: Jim Quinn Steven Rowland, Chairman stated this project did receive approvals. If the project is essentially unchanged from what was previously approved at that time, we could move forward with the same comments and move this project forward. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on either of these applications. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of the application of the Hamilton Street Parking Garage, 260 Hamilton Street that the application be approved with the following conditions: 1). The Mass and Scale approval dated April 29, 2014, the DRC issued a favorable opinion with conditions to the Planning Board on general Mass and Scale for the proposed six level structure. The decision was predicated on the association of this structure with the Rip Van Dam Hotel Expansion that included 176 guest rooms and a 200 seat banquet facility. Given the increased parking demands directly associated with and due to the hotel expansion the Commission does not have a significant objection to the overall height Mass and Scale of this project as long as it relates to the subject hotel expansion. 2). The specific structure details, we ask that the vertical elements on the south elevation break the top cornice line by approximately two inches at the two corners of the three bay brick eastern portion, and to break the cornice line at all three verticals on the east elevation. 3). The stair tower will be brick on all four sides. 4). On the north elevation, the first bay of level spandrels at the east end be treated similar to the east elevation and the remaining spandrels to the west be the multi grey shade concrete with brick vertical elements at four locations. 5). Cut sheets should be submitted for the store front systems, lighting and canopy for material and colors. 6). Drawings be revised to show these modifications to be submitted for the file for the record. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. VOTE: City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – July 20, 2016 - Page 2 of 4  Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 4. 2016.049 HOVER RESIDENCE EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS, 43 Long Alley, Historic Review of exterior Modifications within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Applicant: Mark Hover, Owner Mr. Hover stated he was before the Commission back in April 2015 with a much grander scale of modifications to his property. Since that time, we are proposing modifications to the front façade of the property. We would like to paint as well as replace some windows and doors. We would like to reconfigure the doorway as well. All the wooden trim will be replaced and repaired with wood. One additional window will be added. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated one thought which was raised, we try to keep the building speaking towards it origins, as it was with two separate entrances. One thought I had in lieu of the brick pilasters between the two doors is there someway we could put something in there less permanent, not brick to keep it looking as one opening. Discussion ensued concerning the façade doorway treatment. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, stated she has concern with retaining the larger opening. The brick would really change that space. Richard Martin suggested a divided panel with an overlay be used for delineating the two entryways. Discussion ensued regarding the entranceway configuration and the submittal of details to staff for administrative approval. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Hover Residence Exterior Modification, 43 Long Alley that the application be approved with the following conditions: Remove the brick detail below the new doors to allow for appearance of one larger opening. Center new rear window over existing rear window below. Change lintel style so it is not an exact replica of the lintel on the originals. Addition of a raised panel below the new front doors. Final details to be submitted for Administrative Approval. 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; Karen Cavotta, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 NOTE: Agenda Item #5 was tabled due to the lack of a quorum on the Commission for this application. This application will be placed on the August 3, 2016 agenda. 5. 2016.034.1 MOORE HALL CONDO CONSTRUCTION, 28 Union Avenue/35 White Street, Historic Review of the Construction of 26 condo units within the Urban Residential-4 District. 8:22 P.M. The Board Recessed. 8:25 P.M. The Board Reconvened. 6. 2016.054 EXCELSIOR PARK PHASE 2A, Gibson & Whistler Courts, Architectural Review of residential City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – July 20, 2016 - Page 3 of 4  townhomes within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Applicant: John Witt Mr. Witt stated informational packets were provided to the Commission. A visual presentation of the site was provided for the Commission. A review of all elevations of the proposed 18 unit townhomes was presented. There will be some stone on the buildings along with board and batten or hardy plank siding. There will be a mix of materials. Color samples were provided to the Commission. Pella doors and windows will be used. Copies of floor plans were also provided to the Commission. Lighting packet was also supplied to the Commission. Steven Rowland, Chariman stated most recently with the larger projects before the Commission, the Commission members feel it is advantageous to review the projects one building at a time in the manner in which they will be constructed. We have had trouble focusing on multiple buildings. Are there any plans to provide 3-D plans for the Commission for ease in review. Mr. Witt stated all the buildings have similar features, but different details, it will be consistent and the color will be the same. Providing a 3-D rendering of the project will be provided to the Commission. Discussion ensued regarding the unit individuality. It was the consensus of the Commission that there was too many different features on the front façade. It seems too busy. Richard Martin stated as we review each building we would also like to see the penetrations and the mechanicals shown on the drawings. Also mail delivery and trash removal was discussed. John Witt stated he will provide 3-D renderings of the project for the Commission’s review. Further information will be submitted for a September meeting. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Caravan, Monday, July 25, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Workshop, Monday, July 25, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. Design Review Commission Meeting, Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of meeting minutes was deferred. 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 20, 2016 - Page 4 of 4