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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210528 Fishon-Kovachick Fence Preservation Foundation Letter Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation August 3,2021 eC57(27—,,„;„ Ms. Tamie Ehinger,Chair FOR't/ Design Review Commission PRESERVATION City Hall 474 Broadway • � Saratoga Springs,NY 12866 w RE: 184 Phila Street—Porch&Fence Modifications •_.._ Dear Tamie: The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the revised application for the front porch stairs and fence modifications at 184 Phila Street. The Lewis L. James house located at 184 Phila Street is a contributing building of the East Board of Directors Side Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Built circa 1870 and Adam N.Favro designed by architect Rufus Dorn,the residence is one of the finest examples of High President Victorian Gothic architecture in Saratoga Springs. James Gold As stated in the Foundation's March 1,2021 letter,the new stairs are not based on any Vice President historic documentation nor are they consistent with the design,color,texture and visual Linda Harvey-Opiteck qualities of the historic wood steps. The Foundation continues to recommend that the stairs Secretary be restored back to wood. Dmitriy Yermolayev Treasurer The applicant also proposes to replace the wood picket fence on Phila Street and Nelson Avenue. The proposed new fence on Phila Street is a picket fence on a stone base. The fence Jaime Butter alongNelson Street will be a wood privacyfence. Caroline Cardone Steven Dodds Giovanna D'Orazio Per the Site Details& Streetscapes Historic District Design Guidelines: Julia Dunn Sandra Fox John Haller Fences Liz Israel • Original historicshould fences bepreserved. If replacement is unavoidable, Douglas Kerr g or Richard King materials should match the original in size, scale, and design. Stephen Kyne • Reestablishing fences that were historically present is encouraged. Every effort Vincent LaTerra Dorothy Rogers-Bullis should be made to replicate it in both design and materials. Cindy Spence • New fences should be consistent with the historic style and period of the house in Jason Veitch g Thomas Matthewboth design and materials. • Recommended fencing materials for contributing or significant properties include James Kettlewell wood picket,wrought iron,and cast iron. Vinyl,PVC,and chain link are to be emeritus avoided. • Front yard fences,located closest to the street,are the most visible and should Executive Director have the appropriate scale and relationship to the front porch,front yard and Samantha Bosshart building. Membership& • Fencing styles on the same property should be consistent Avoid mixing fencing Programs Director styles and materials. Nicole Babie • Fencing design and materials should be consistent with the age of the historic or contributing structure. Contemporary fences,if used, should be reserved for areas not visible from the street or to the rear of the property. • When placing a fence that has only one finished side,the finished side of the fence should present to the outside. The side with structures members should face the interior of the property. 112 Spring Street,Suite 203 Saratoga Springs,NY 12866 (518)587-5030 www.saratogapreservarion.org • Privacy fences are to be avoided in the front yard and are most appropriate to screen parking areas,mechanical equipment,pools and other features in rear and side yards. The design of privacy wood fences should be consistent the materials and design of the adjacent buildings and fences. • Fences are not permitted to exceed 6 feet in height in most areas. Eight feet may be permitted in commercial and industrial districts and on boundaries between residential and non-residential districts. There were no specifications provided for the fence "B" along Phila Street and Nelson Avenue regarding: the type of stone used,if it would be dried laid or if a mortar would be used,the height and width of the stone base,the height of the pickets; or any details regarding the gates. Regardless,the proposed fence along Phila Street is not consistent with the historic style and period of the house. Picket fences with carved,pointed, stone, or wood posts holding panels of square pickets and wrought iron fences are typical of the Victorian era. This fence is also not consistent with adjacent historic properties nor is there documented precedence for this type of fence in the district. The use of a stone base with a picket fence may be typical for other areas in the northeast United States,but it is not typical within the urban core of city. Furthermore,fence "A"along Nelson Avenue does not relate to fence "B." The Foundation recommends retention or replacement in-kind of the existing wood picket and privacy fences. The existing picket fence is consistent with the historic style and period of the house and the current privacy fence relates to the existing picket fence because it incorporates similar pickets to the fence along Phila Street,which give a cohesive appearance. The Foundation has no issue with using fence "A"for the south perimeter of the property. Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration. Sincerely, /.1( (Attovike...,afalst ‘6/4,--414'167 Adam Favro Samantha Bosshart President Executive Director Cc: Jill Fishon-Kovachick, Owner Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner