Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM CALL TO ORDER: Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. PRESENT: Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair; Ellen Sheehan; Jeff Gritsavage Tad Roemer LATE ARRIVAL: Leslie DiCarlo arrived at 6:12 P.M. ABSENT: Tamie Ehinger, Chair; Chris Bennett STAFF: Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner, City of Saratoga Springs A. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, made a motion to approve the September 28, 2022 Minutes of the Design Review Board with very minor corrections. Ellen Sheehan seconded the motion. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, in favor; Ellen Sheehan, in favor; Jeff Gritsavage, in favor; Tad Roemer, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 B. POSSIBLE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: NOTE: The intent of a consent agenda is to identify any application that appears to be “approvable” without need for further evaluation or discussion. If anyone wishes to further discuss any proposed consent agenda item, then that item would be pulled from the “consent agenda” and dealt with individually. 1. #20220914 208 CHURCH STREET COLOR MODIFICATION, 208 Church Street, Architectural Review of a color change for in-kind siding replacement within the Office Medical Building District. 2. #20220909 CAPITAL AREA PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS SIGNAGE, 3 Maple Dell, Architectural review of a new wall and freestanding signs within the Gateway Rural Commercial District. 3. #20220908 McFARLAND JOHNSON SIGN, 90 East Avenue, Architectural Review of a new wall sign within the Transect-5 Neighborhood Center District. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, asked if anyone on the Board had any questions, comments or concerns on the consent agenda items. DISCLOSURE: Jeff Gritsavage disclosed that he lives within 500 ft. of 208 Church Street. He has no financial interest in the application and can be impartial in his decision making. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, asked if there were any questions or comments from the audience regarding the consent agenda items. None heard. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, made a motion in the matter of the 208 Church Street Color Modification, 208 Church Street; Capital Area Physical Therapy & Wellness Signage, 3 Maple Dell; and McFarland Johnson Sign, 90 East Avenue, that these applications be approved as submitted. Tad Roemer seconded the motion. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, in favor; Ellen Sheehan, in favor; Jeff Gritsavage, in favor; Tad Roemer, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0 C. DRC APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. #20220485 81 PHILA STREET NEW TWO-FAMILY, 81 Phila Street, Historic Review of a new two-family Home and accessory structure within the Urban Residential-4 (UR-4) District. *ADJOURNED* 2. #20220919 242 CHURCH STREET WINDOW REPLACEMENTS, 242 Church Street, Architectural Review of window replacements within the Office Medical Building District. Applicant: David Henahan Mr. Henahan stated he has owned this property since 2007. All the windows in the house have been replaced throughout as well as the roof being replaced due to disrepair and leaking. This was done without proper permitting. The applicant stated he has been in conversation with the Building Inspector’s Office. He is proposing vinyl double hung replacement windows to replace old-style, single hung triple track aluminum windows for better insulation. The only structural change is to the south facing kitchen window labelled window-1 visible only from McNeary Alley. The lower half of this window was obstructed by the kitchen counter. This window was resized to account for the counter. Siding to match current existing will be applied to the area formerly the lower half of the window. Vinyl siding and trim which matches the house will be applied. New wood was used for the east facing double window – window 2 adjacent to the modified kitchen window due to rotted wood and leakage into the living area. Photographic information was provided to the Board regarding the existing conditions and what is being proposed on the rear east elevation. Ellen Sheehan questioned the applicant regarding the lack of a building permit for any of the window replacements and roof. This citation was issue while the windows were being replaced. Tad Roemer questioned if the home was in the historic district. Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner, stated this home is in the Architectural Review District. Jeff Gritsavage stated there seems to be a hodge podge of windows. The Board will need documentation on all the windows which were changed. A window survey documenting this would be required. Tad Roemer stated he has no objection to the kitchen window if it is trimmed out properly. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Board Minutes – October 12, 2022 - Page 2 of 4 Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, stated additional documentation is required regarding the windows. A window survey would be helpful noting the location of the windows, the condition of the window to be removed and what the proposed replacement would be. Documentation regarding the roof replacement even though it was done years ago should be provided to the Board to rectify any concerns and permitting to comply. When this is completed, the applicant will return before the Board for reconsideration. 3. #20220873 PDT MARKET STORE FRONT MODIFICATIONS AND SIGNAGE, 55 Railroad Place, Architectural Review of store front modifications and new signage within the Transect-6 Urban Core District. *NO REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT FOR THE APPLICATION* Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner, provided information to the Board regarding what the applicant is proposing. The applicant is proposing a new point of entry at 55 Railroad Place. They are proposing to remove a 50’x14’ section of the existing storefront. They would add a white stucco wall section which would include signage and a white set of double doors. The green mullions that comprise the storefront would be painted white to match the stucco and doors. Currently the mullions and trim on the building are green. The storefront does not include the large green columns which sit on the sidewalk. They are also proposing to modify the existing entry on Railroad Avenue to match the new entry we are creating. They are proposing to remove approximately 24’ of the existing storefront and replace the storefront with the stucco preparation being used to create the new point of entry. This existing set of double doors would also be painted white. It was the determination of the Board to adjourn the application to the next DRB meeting scheduled for November 2, 2022. 4. #20220912 MOUZON HOUSE PORCH MODIFICATIONS, 1 York Street, Architectural Review for modifications to an approval for exterior modifications, (new porch materials and colors, new stained-glass panels) within the Transect-6 (T-6) Urban Core District. *NO REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT FOR THE APPLICATION* Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner, provided information to the Board regarding what the applicant is proposing. A visual of the site was provided for the Board. This applicant appeared before the board twice in 2020 for a porch addition and modifications to the building which was done in 2021. These modifications were proposed to be painted to match what was approved. They are before the Board for modifications to the original color approval. They are proposing a change to the porch color and the applicant is trying to move away from the red to white and green accents. On the north elevation they are proposing a color change. They have changed the lattice and the porch railing is taller versus lower with a booster as previously approved. The fascia board is different as well as the wrap around porch. On caravan it was noted the windows should be painted out green not white. The stained glass in the turret portion of the porch was not a part of the original application. Jeff Gritsavage stated there should be no deviation from the original lattice, and the plastic should be removed it looks cheap. Ellen Sheehan stated the color of the overhang and lattice needs to be remedied. This is a Victorian building; stained glass is not appropriate and certainly not framed out in plastic. Leslie DiCarlo stated she cannot support any part of this application. The height of the railings ruins the entire porch. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, stated the UDO was not in effect when these approvals were granted. We approved modifications and expected that the applicant would comply and follow through with what was approved. It is architecturally different than what was presented, faux materials and poor craftsmanship. Everything is different than what was approved. This City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Board Minutes – October 12, 2022 - Page 3 of 4 information should be relayed to the applicant, and they should make the changes as the original approval stated. The applicant needs to be present for the application. There was an issue with a property line and the porch was pushed back. If the applicant wished for modifications to be made to the approved project, they should have returned with an alternative plan. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, stated a CO was never issued, they are forced to return before the Board. The changes were made after the fact. A temporary CO was issued. Lighting in the turret is not appropriate either. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, stated we will table this application this evening. The applicant needs to be present for this application to be discussed. UPCOMING MEETINGS: Design Review Board/Planning Board Joint Meeting, Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. Design Review Board Meeting, Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair, adjourned the meeting at 7:42 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Minutes approved November 16, 2022 City of Saratoga Springs – Design Review Board Minutes – October 12, 2022 - Page 4 of 4