HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210469 Fire Station #3 Council Advisory Opinion Tamie Ehinger, Chair
- CITY O F SARATOGA SPRINGS Leslie Mechem,Vice Chair
•. -11 `� LesliChris Bennett
, : !b0 DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION e DC
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�.� Rob DuBoffarlo
Ellen Sheehan
!:74',..._ ,' City Hall -474 Broadway Sean Smith
-3 c----7:4-1 Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Steven Rowland,Alternate
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i °� Tel:518-587-3550 x.25 17 Tad Roemer,Alternate
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www.saratoga-spri ngs.org
ADVISORY OPINION
In consideration of the Request for an Advisory Opinion by the City Council
DRC App #20210468
Fire Station #3
16 Henning Road
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Background:
The Design Review Commission heard a presentation on June 2,2021 on the proposed Fire Station#3 to be located
along Henning Road on the East side of the City of Saratoga Springs. The DRC has reviewed this project based on
the evaluation criteria outlined under Section 7.4 Historic Review of the Zoning Ordinance. As part of the Historic
Review Standards, the DRC is tasked with assuring "architectural compatibility such as aesthetic, historical and
architectural values, architecture style, design, arrangement, texture, material and color."
Decision:
The Design Review Commission recommends consideration of a more contributing structure for this important
civic building. Similar to a school, City Hall, or hospital, a fire station should act as a neighborhood landmark that
provides a distinct anchor in the community. This will be a fire station that will be here for years to come and it is
important to try our best to get it right within the financial constraints of the City.
While the DRC understands and appreciates that cost is a factor in this project and to the community,the building
should be constructed for longevity to prevent frequent costly maintenance issues earlier than necessary. Using
durable, quality materials will help to support that idea.
While the existing context in the immediate area along Henning Road is minimally built-up, the DRC considers
conditions along Fifth Avenue and the NYRA property to be aspects of the surrounding context as well, particularly
as it relates to the Historic context. The Design Review Commission finds that the current proposed design does
not meet the design standards within the Historic Review District or general design standards, and unanimously
issues an unfavorable advisory opinion.
Considerations:
• Adjust building articulation in setbacks and shadowing and allow one portion of the building to be more
prominent— move parts of the building to stand proud or push back from the existing facade. The support
area of the building could possibly stand back from the apparatus bays, or vice versa.
• Adjusting the characteristics of the roof— consider a steeper pitch on the roof of the support area of the
building and addition of a gable roof above the apparatus bays.
• Treatment of exterior coloring to unify the two sections of the structure — continue green, eliminate the
white above the windows by continuing with the green. The DRC appreciates the green in reference to
the horse barns located on the NYRA property.
• Treatment of the porch to add visual interest—continuation of porch columns along front of facade similar
to the NYRA horse barns.
• Possible use of four-fold doors to provide character to the apparatus bays.
• The DRC is interested in providing additional, substantive comments through subsequent design phases to
help the City achieve the optimal design and aid in obtaining the best outcome to benefit the community.
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The Design Review Commission is excited to have this important project as part of the future of our City. The
Commission is looking forward to Fire Station#3 becoming more of a distinctive landmark and an important anchor
in the community.
Following much discussion on this matter, the Design Review Commission issued the following opinion on June 2,
2021:
Motion to issue an Unfavorable Advisory Opinion to the City Council on the proposed project— passed
7-0 (Ehinger, Mechem, Bennett, DiCarlo, DuBoff, Sheehan, Smith)
Respectfully submitted,
Design Review Commission
June 10, 2021
C air Received by Accounts
cc: Accounts Dept.
Applicant/Agent
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