HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210987 184 Church Porch Narrative COVER SHEET
184 CHURCH STREET TRUST
I have been the owner or trustee of 184 Church Street since 1981 .
In that time the 4 unit property was inspected by various city entities
including fire and safety and code enforcement. When any violations
were noted, they were promptly repaired.
I have always been a hands-on owner, and did 90% of the repairs
and upkeep. In late 2019, at the age of 69, I realized I could no
longer keep up with the demands of owning the property. I informed
the tenants, including one who had been living there 18 years, that I
would be selling the building.
At that point the 18 year tenant moved. Very little had been done to
the apartment, and it needed a major upgrade. I engaged a very
capable young carpenter to do the work. After about 3 weeks of
work, the building inspector found he did not have a permit to do the
work. He demanded work to stop, and it was stopped immediately.
I was informed to do testing for asbestos, which came back negative
and to have blueprints and plans drawn up and to engage a licensed
and insured contractor which I did. My contractor•, Greg Ryrnski,
submitted a building permit application at the end of January, 2021 .
At this point, I was not informed about any design review.
I was then summoned to city court several times because I lacked
said building permit. I struggled to submit the design review
petition, but did not understand how to submit it electronically.
specifically asked for help in this regard, but was repeatedly denied
help from any city hall staff. After making numerous inquiries 1
think I. might be able to do it.
I am not, nor never have been an engineer or architect. I am just an
elderly Saratoga native who has somehow run afoul of the powers
that be.
I do not understand why the city is trying to make me tear down this
original construction, which has been attached to the building for
the 40 years I have owned it, and most likely since the building was
built originally. I thought one of the duties of your office was
PRESERVATION of Historic property. I did find some damaged
wood on the outside corner of the porch. The original 2x6 supports
were removed and replaced with pressure treated 2x8 supports, and a
new top deck was applied. I quote from your application, Ordinary
Maintenance or repair, is exempt from Historic or Architectural
Review. 1 have submitted Photos of the porch, both before and after
repair, I see no reason that thisoriginal Historic porch should be
destroyed.
As far as the two remaining porches at issue, I would have no
objection to removing and replacing the lower portions, but the
original roofs, which are both sound and not leaking should be saved
and retained.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Dumont for
184 Church St. Trust