HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190029 Val Kill Residence Correspondance (3) March 5,2019
Christina and Murray j. Levith
34 Second Street gTCTgoyl
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
14,1Ar? ti 7 2019
Keith B. Kaplan,Vice Chair
Zoning Board of Appeals
By
15 Vanderbilt Ave.
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Dear Mr.Kaplan:
A line from a famous American poem goes as follows: "A rose is a rose is a rose." The
meaning is clear—when all is said and done,a thing is what it is. Thus,if it sits at the end of a
driveway and looks like a garage,and has a garage door facing the street,it is not a"cottage"or
"studio residence,"it is a garage.
It has apparently been obvious to the city of Saratoga Springs and its Building and Zoning
Inspectors (Michael Biffer and Stephen Shaw)that the garage at 40 Second Street that was made into
a residence is illegal. The City has labeled it so according to their"File Notes,"and it was the
responsibility of the realtor(who was notified),the buyer,and the buyer's lawyer to know this.
Indeed,one of the members of Val-Kill Properties North LLC is a lawyer herself.
On a street of mostly single family houses on lots bigger than the"postage stamp"size of the
lot at 40 Second Street,this property stands out as an anomaly because it contains not one but two
structures.
Second Street,in the last decades,is much improved. The beautiful carriage house
renovation at 28 Second Street should garner architectural prizes(if it has not won them already),
the Belmonte-built home at 39 Second (across the street)from 40 Second is similarly stunning,the
historic house that we own at 34 Second was built around 1868(according to a Saratoga
Preservation study),and the house adjacent to 40 was built around 1850. In short,Second Street
from North Broadway east to Catherine Street has been significantly upgraded in recent years and
has some historical properties.
It struck us that every speaker at the Zoning Appeals hearing that had properties abutting 40
Second was against the variance. We are concerned about our neighborhood and want it to be as
good as it can be. A garage residence will detract from the street. We know of no other garage
residence on Second Street. In fact,we know of no other tiny lots on the street that contain two
structures.
Thank you for letting me speak on this variance appeal last evening. My wife and I were
impressed with the complexity and variety of issues that come up before the Appeals Board and what
your board has to make decisions about in order to protect our beautiful and historic city.
Sincerely ,yours
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Christina and Murray 1.Levith