HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210501 19 Washington Street Development SEQRA Letter NEW YORK Parks, Recreation,
STATE OF
OPPORTUNITY and Historic Preservation
ANDREW M.CUOMO ERIK KULLESEID
Governor Commissioner
July 12, 2021
Susan Barden
Principal Planner
Office of Planning and Economic Development
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: SEQRA
Construction of a Six-story Building
19 & 23 Washington, 353 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
21 PR03340
Dear Susan Barden:
Thank you for requesting the comments of the Division for Historic Preservation of the Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) as part of your SEQRA process. These
comments are those of the Division for Historic Preservation and relate only to Historic/Cultural
resources.
We have reviewed your recent submission dated June 16, 2021 for this project, This submission
includes information about the proposed Parish House rear addition removal, and a visual
impact study with renderings illustrating the proposed new six story building.
Based on the information provided for the Parish House addition it appears that the addition no
longer retains integrity of materials and design to its historic period and may therefore be
considered a non-contributing feature of the building. We recommend that a construction
protection plan be put in place for the Parish House addition removal as well as for surrounding
historic buildings that may be directly impacted by the new construction. The rear elevation of
the Parish House should be treated appropriately in accordance with preservation standards.
The visual impact study indicates that the new construction will be visible from Broadway and
other locations within the historic district. It appears that visibility from Broadway will be minimal.
The background historical documentation provides evidence for the existence by the late
nineteenth century of relatively large buildings along Broadway and Washington Street. This
precedent may justify building larger than the surrounding current historic buildings. However,
the introduction of taller highly visible new construction is still subject to scrutiny under
preservation standards for new in-fill in historic districts. Though we find that the new
construction is generally acceptable, we recommend that the applicant continue to work with the
Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission and evaluate the work in accordance with the
Commission's guidance for new construction.
In addition to the comments above, please see the previous archaeological survey request from
SHPO archaeologist Jessica Schreyer.
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O.Box 189,Waterford,New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•parks.ny.gov
If this project will involve state or federal permitting, funding or licensing, it may require continued
review for potential impacts to architectural and archaeological resources, in accordance with
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act or Section 14.09 of NYS Parks Recreation
and Historic Preservation Law.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at (518) 268-2164.
Sincerely,
Weston Davey
Historic Site Restoration Coordinator
Weston.davey@parks.ny.gov
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O.Box 189,Waterford,New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•parks.ny.gov