Zoning Board of Appeals

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES (DRAFT) MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER: Gage Simpson, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Gage Simpson, Chair, Brendan Dailey, Vice Chair, Chris LaPointe, Jonah Cohen, Shafer Gaston, Otis Maxwell. ABSENT: Amanda Demma, Chris Maslak (Alternate) STAFF: Susan Barden, Senior Planner, Richard Roman, Zoning Administrator, Jackie White, Counsel, City of Saratoga Springs ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: The proceedings of this meeting are being recorded for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript of the recording. ZBA APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: PROCEDURAL BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: CONTINUED BUSINESS: 1. #20250163 85 Lincoln Ave. Area Variance for an addition to an existing single-family residence in the Urban Residential – 2 (UR-2) District. Variances sought for 85 Lincoln St.: TYPE OF REQUIREMENT#3 ZONE REQUIREMENT PROPOSED RELIEF REQUESTED SIDE YARD SETBACK 8 FT. 2.4 FT 5.6 FT. (70%) Bob Flansburg, Dreamscapes Unlimited presented comps for the neighborhood. Gage Simpson, Chair said the Public Hearing was still open if anyone from the audience wished to comment. No comments were heard and the Public Hearing was closed at 6:37 p.m. Jonah Cohen made a motion to approve an area variance for construction of an addition at 85 Lincoln Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY. The motion was seconded by Brendan Dailey. Discussion: Add after the last sentence in #1 “that no additional land was available for purchase”. Remove “to accommodate a growing family”. Note: Due to the proximity to neighbors, water mitigation e.g. gutters are expected. Vote: C. LaPointe-Y, J. Cohen-Y, S. Gaston-Y, O. Maxwell-Y, B. Dailey-Y, G. Simpson- Y. 6-0 Motion carried. 2. #20250162 125 S. Broadway. Area Variance to replace two existing signs and add a new wall sign in the Neighborhood Center (T-5) District. Adam Wakulenko, Adirondack Sign Co. represented the applicant. Adam said he was asked by the board to present exceptions for signs over the first floor of a building in the area and came up with the following: • Winsupply – received a variance for the height on the second floor. • Homewood Suites, S. Broadway. • Tree House Brewing, S. Broadway • Saratoga Honda, S. Broadway • Embassy Suites, Congress St. • Courtyard Marriott, Excelsior Ave. • Mouzon House – York St. – variance • Hampton Inn – Lake Ave. • Adirondack Trust. • AMC Movie Theater Otis said the board questioned the comps last time because they are far from the subject property, the Hilton Garden Inn, which is in the T-5 District and has specific requirements as to walkability. He said some of the comps don’t apply because they’re not in that district. Jonah thanked the applicant for providing the comps. He agreed that the comps were not in the same district but argued that the Hilton Garden Inn is relatively far from what is considered the pedestrian area of Broadway. He said he’s fine with all 3 signs. Brendan agreed and said considering the foliage and the fact that there’s no place else to put the sign on the building, he’s good with all three signs. Chris said he saw Otis’ point about the comps not being in the T-5 District but considering there are so many that were allowed in the Architectural District he can see an argument for allowing it. His main concern is setting precedence for signs on upper floors in that zone. Gage Simpson, Chair said the Public Hearing was still open if there were any comments. There were no comments, and the Public Hearing was closed at 6:52 p.m. Following a discussion between the board chair and city staff it was decided that the motions for the signs would be presented separately. Otis Maxwell made a motion to approve the application for an area variance for a ridged sign face logo in the current sign box at 125 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. The motion was seconded by Brendan Dailey. Discussion: In #3 add “the board notes the requested variance may not be substantial but is further mitigated…”. In the second paragraph at the top add a period at the end of “this being an application for an area variance of the UDO of said City to permit the replacement of a ridged sign face logo.” The rest of the sentence should be added to #1. Vote: C. LaPointe-Y, J. Cohen-Y, S. Gaston-Y, O. Maxwell-Y, B. Dailey-Y, G. Simpson-Y. 6-0 Motion carried. City of Saratoga Springs - Zoning Board of Appeals – April 7, 2025 Page 2 of 3 Otis Maxwell made a motion to approve the application for an area variance for the replacement of a monument sign at the Hilton Garden Inn, 125 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. The motion was seconded by Shafer Gaston. Discussion: In the second paragraph add “monument sign” and “public notice”. Add to number 1, “The same height, width and colors”. Last sentence of #1 start as “per the applicant”. Leave #3 as written. Vote: C. LaPointe-Y, J. Cohen-Y, S. Gaston-Y, O. Maxwell- Y, B. Dailey-Y, G. Simpson-Y. 6-0 Motion carried. Otis Maxwell made a motion to deny the application for an area variance for the addition of a wall sign with halo lit letters on the upper story facing north at the Hilton Garden Inn, 125 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. The motion was seconded by Jonah Cohen. Discussion: In the second paragraph add “permit the addition of a wall sign with halo letters on the upper story”. Remove “facing north” add “public notice being duly given”. Remove the second sentence in paragraph 1. In number one it should say “the board finds the addition of the sign at the height in the application would be an undesirable change”. In #4 “the applicant did demonstrate signs above the second floor but not at the greater height requested in the application”. Add in #4 “no environmental impact”. Vote: C. LaPointe-Y, J. Cohen-N, S. Gaston-N, O. Maxwell-N, B. Dailey-N, G. Simpson-Y. 4-2 Motion denied. Shafer asked if the applicant knew the linear footage of the wall where the sign would be placed. Adam said the sign is in compliance except for the location. Shafer Gaston made a motion to approve the application for an area variance for the addition of a wall sign with halo lit letters on the upper story facing north at the Hilton Garden Inn,125 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. The motion was seconded by Jonah Cohen. Discussion: Add to #1 “the board notes that the position and frontage of the building further constrain the applicant’s options for presenting the business”. Add to #4 “the variance will not have a significant adverse physical or environmental effect on the neighborhood or district. The board notes the height and illumination of the sign may be disruptive to the neighborhood aesthetic; however, this is not necessarily fatal to the application”. Vote: C. LaPointe-N, J. Cohen-Y, S. Gaston-Y, O. Maxwell-Y, B. Dailey-N, G. Simpson- Y. 5-1 Motion carried. Gage Simpson, Chair concluded the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Gizzi, Recording Secretary City of Saratoga Springs - Zoning Board of Appeals – April 7, 2025 Page 3 of 3