HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210243 19 Washington St. Site Plan SEQRA Letter �E����� Parks Recreation
srnT�oF � +
°��'°���""T" and Histarr� Preservation
ANaR�W M.CUQMQ ERkK KULLE5EiD
Gavernor Commissioner
July �2, 2021
Susan Barden
PrFncipa! P(anner
O#fice of Planning and Ecortomic De�elopment
474 Broadway
Sarato�a Springs, I�Y 12866
Re: SEQRA
Construction of a Six-story Buildinc�
19 & 23 Washingtan, 353 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
21 PR(}3340
Dear Susan Barden:
Thank you for requesting the comments of the Division for Histor[c Preservation af�he Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preserv�atian {OPRHP) as parC of your SEQRA proc�ss. These
comments are those of the Division for Historic Preservation and relat� only to Historicl�ultural
resources.
We have re�iewed yo�r reeent submission dated June 16, 2[}21 for this project. This submissiors
includes information abaut#he proposed Parish House rear addition removal, and a visual
impacf st�dy with renderings ill�strating the proposed new six story 6uilding.
Based on the information pravided for the Parish House additian it appears that the addition no
longer rEtains ir�tegrity af materials a�d design to its historic period and may therefore be
consiciered a non-contributing feature of the building. We recommene� that a construction
protection plan be put in pface for the Parish House additian removal as wel! as for surrour�ding
historic bui[dings that may be directly impacted by the new construction. The rear elevation of
the Parish Mouse should be treated appropriately in accordance with preservation standards.
The visual impact study indicates that t�e new construction will be �isible from Broadway and
other locations within the historic district. It appears t�at visibility from Broadway wiEl be mir��maC.
The backg�aund historieal documen#ation provides evidence for the existence by the late
nineteenth century of relatively large buildings along Broadway and WasF�ington StrEet. Th€s
precedent may�ustify building larger than the surrounding current historic buildings. However,
the introduction of taller htghly visible new constructian is still subject to scrutiny under
preservation standards for new in-fill in historic districts. Though w� find that th� r�ew
constr�ction is generally accepta�le, we recommend that the applicant continue tn work with the
Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission and e�aluate the work in accordance with the
Commiss'ron's guidance for new constructior�.
In additian to the comments above, please see the pre�ious archaeological survey request from
SHP� archaeologist Jessica Schreyer.
piuisivn for Histaric Preservation
P.O. Box 189,Waterfard,New York 12�88-Q1B9•(618)2�7-8643•parks.ny.gav
If this project will involve stat� or federal permitfing, fu�tding or licensing, it may rec�uire continued
review for patential impacts to architectural ar�d archaeological resources, in accordance with
Section �06 of the National Historic Preservation Act or Section 14.09 of NY5 Parks Recreatior�
ar�d Historic Preservation Law.
if you have any questions, I can be reached at (518} 2f8-2�64.
Sincerely,
/,;�.-���-"'C"��
Westan �avey
Historic Site Restoration Coordinafor
Westan.davey@parks.ny.gov
i�ivision for Historic Preservatiran
P.O.Bax 188,Wateriord,New York 12�88-0189•(518}237-$643•parks.ny.gqv