Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Richard Martin; Leslie DiCarlo; Chris Bennett; Leslie Mechem SKYPE: Tamie Ehinger; Vice Chairman ABSENT: Cynthia Corbett STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development, City of Saratoga Springs CALL TO ORDER: Steven Rowland, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. 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. PRESENTATION: Daniel McEneny, NYS OPRHP; provided a brief overview of the Workforce Development Course in cooperation with the NYS Historic Preservation Office and Historic Albany Foundation. They are pleased to offer a new program in historic building restoration. This course is the first in a series. The course will provide participants with hands-on training in the traditional trade of historic window rehabilitation, including the repair of historic sashes, glazing, frames and weights. Students will gain an understanding of fenestration systems used on 19th and 20th century buildings, basics of the field of historic preservation, weatherization techniques, and where to market their skills. We will move onto masonry next, then roofs, and weatherization. In total we are looking to develop 6 different programs to be offered 3 times a year locally and we plan then to roll this out across the state. Everyone who completes this course will obtain a certificate from the Workforce Development Institute. We will pass these names onto our Statewide Organization and the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation so these can be added to contractor listings. Mr. McEneny thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present this exciting program and the Commission’s help in disseminating this information. B. DRC APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATIONS: 1. 2017.001 VESCIO RESIDENCE MODIFICATIONS, 204 Regent Street, Historic Review of external modifications front porch, rear addition, etc., to an existing residential structure within the Urban Residential-3 District. Applicant: Christine Vescio, Owner Agent: Michael Perry, Architect Mr. Perry stated following the last appearance before the Commission we have reworked the plans. On the original portion of the home we will save as much of the original materials as possible. All the existing window openings on the original portion of the home will be preserved. New windows will be installed in those openings. On the front of the home all wood materials will be used for siding replacement. On the sides of the home we would still like to use Hardee Board or Borel siding since the current siding is deteriorated. The new portion has been reduced down to two stories from three. The addition will not be visible from the street. We have removed the stone veneer and replaced the piers on the porch with brick. Windows will be double hung and casement windows will only be in the rear. 2 over 2 muntin pattern in the original portion 2 over 1 on the new addition. A standing seam roof is now on the home and will be replaced with a factory painted standing seam in a grey color. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated the issue the Commission is concerned with is the connection of the new addition to the existing home. Mr. Perry referred the Commission to the new plans noting the new addition has been bumped out on the sides somewhat to show where the new addition begins. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman questioned if the addition stands proud of the existing structure. We appreciate the efforts of the applicant. Mr. Perry informed the Commission of the area on the plans which denotes the addition. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the changes which were made certainly have made a difference in the project. Especially the lowering of the addition down to two stories. Chris Bennett questioned if the applicant will maintain the same architectural details as were originally present on the home especially the window sills, etc., they are very important features of the home. Attention to the details is so important. Discussion ensued concerning the meeting of the wood siding on the front to the new siding on the sides of the home as well as the replacement windows. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation thanked the applicant for the changes which were made to the application. I am happy to hear that the window size openings will remain the same. On the drawings for the porch there are no details for the bases of the columns or capitals and bases shown. I would offer a square post since that would be appropriate for the home. Ms. Bosshart reiterated that the design guidelines do require replacement in kind. I encourage the Commission to follow their guidelines. Steven Rowland, Chairman thanked the applicant for adjustments which were made and we do appreciate it. The Commission is very happy to see the house is headed in the right direction. Richard Martin made a motion in the matter of the Vescio Residence Modifications, 204 Regent Street, that the application be approved as submitted on plans dated January 17, 2017. Leslie Mechem 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; Chris Bennett, in favor; Richard Martin, in favor; Leslie Mechem, in favor; MOTION PASSES: 6-0 2. 2017.007 EMPIRE RUN FREESTANDING SIGN, 130 Excelsior Avenue, Architectural Review of commercial freestanding sign within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Agent: Daniel Roicki, Adirondack Sign Company Mr. Roicki stated this is a dimensional letter sign with prismatic black cut HDU lettering 1½” thick on a brushed silver metallic background with an black address underneath. It will be double sided. No lighting is proposed. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further questions or comments from the Commission. None heard. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 1, 2017 - Page 2 of 4 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 Empire Run Freestanding Sign, 130 Excelsior Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted. Chris Bennett 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Chris Bennett, in favor; Leslie Mechem, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 3. 2017.070.1 23” & FOURTH WALL SIGN, 130 Excelsior Avenue, Architectural Review of a second wall sign within The Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning and Economic Development stated the signage was before the Commission for approval which was granted. The applicant went before the ZBA to obtain relief for a sign on the west side of the building. The variance was granted for this sign. No relief was granted for a third sign. Agent: Daniel Roicki, Adirondack Sign Company Mr. Roicki stated the new sign is identical to the current existing sign on Excelsior Avenue. It is 120” wide. 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. None heard. Leslie DiCarlo made a motion in the matter of the 23rd and Fourth Wall Sign, 130 Excelsior Avenue that the application be approved as submitted on the attached plans. Leslie Mechem 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Chris Bennett, in favor; Leslie Mechem, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 4. 2017.008 BOND, SCHOENECK & KING WALL SIGN, 268 Broadway, Suite 104, Architectural Review of commercial signage within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. Agent: Daniel Roicki, Adirondack Sign Company Mr. Roicki stated this is a dimensional relief wall sign which will be placed on the window framing. Prior holes are in the structure from a previous sign which we will be using to install the new signage. The proposed signage is ¾” dimensional painted PVC on a 1” aluminum backer. The proposed signage is shorter in length but the same height as the previous sign. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the whiteness of the background is rather stark. Discussion ensued concerning the white area around the blue border and the coloring. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman suggested a larger or more prominent blue border might help the appearance of the sign, City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 1, 2017 - Page 3 of 4 and distinguish itself more. The Commission suggested the possibility of a larger thicker blue border. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were 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. None heard. Leslie Mechem made a motion in the matter of the Bond, Schoeneck & King Wall Sign, 268 Broadway, Suite 104 that the application be approved with the following condition – to bring the blue border to the edge of the sign. 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; Leslie DiCarlo, in favor; Chris Bennett, in favor; Leslie Mechem, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 C. DISCUSSION: Historic District property owner brochure (SSPF) Steven Rowland, Chairman stated we will now review a Historic District property owner brochure which will eventually be distributed to Historic Homeowners in the City. Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation distributed copies of a draft Brochure which has been compiled in concert with the City of Saratoga Springs. We are looking to mail these out to the property owners in the Historic District as well as to realtors and also to the Planning Office here at City Hall. This is a first draft and suggestions and comments are welcomed. The Commission reviewed the brochure and make several comments and suggestions which will be reviewed with staff and and presented again to the Commission. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Approval of meeting minutes was deferred to the February 15, 2017 meeting. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS: Design Review Caravan, Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 4:00 P.M. Design Review Meeting, Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary APPROVED 3/15/17 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Commission Minutes – February 1, 2017 - Page 4 of 4