HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190318 Kisber Residence Correspondance S r,i t o g-a Sprin .
Preservation Foundation
April 16, 2019
PRESERVAT1ON Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
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FO_R YEARS Design Review Commission
' .. City Hall
, 474 Broadway
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Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 649 North Broadway—Walkway Replacement
Dear Tamie,
,... .. .
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has reviewed the application to seek
approval for the removal of the historic brick herringbone walkway that leads to the front
Board of Directors door and replacement with a wider walkway of blue stone bordered with Belgium granite
cobble block that has already taken place without Design Review Commission approval.
Matthew Veitch
President
The Italianate residence, built in 1856, is a contributing building of the North Broadway
James Gold Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This residence is
Vice President&
Secretary considered one of the earliest houses on North Broadway. The brick walkway is one of
the many components that contribute to the fabric of this significant historic building as
Adam N.Faro Well as the historic district, where very few herringbone brick walkways remain.
Treasurer
Caroline Cardone Actions Subject to Review Design Considerations Distates: Regardless of the
Brennan Drake
requirement for a building or demolition permit, any material change to the exterior
Liz Israel appearance of structure that affects the historical characteristics and context of the
Samantha Kercull District including: Installation, removal or change in material of drive or walkways,per
Douglas Ken
Richard King the Historic Review Ordinance Standards 7.4,7.
Michelle Paquette-Dcuel
Cindy Spence The Historic Review Ordinance Standards as well as Historic District Design Guidelines
Dmitriy Yermolayev
for Site Details & Streetscapes should have been followed prior to commencing any
work.
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Under 7.4.6 Historic Review Standards include: A. Preserve rather than remove; B.
Repair rather than replace; C. Promote historical accuracy; and D. Recognize the
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director significance of historic time periods.
Nicole Babie In addition,per the Historic District Design Guidelines for Site Details & Streetscapes—
Membership&
Programs Director Street. Curbs and Sidewalks:
• Brick, granite, slate or concrete curbs and gutters, and original or historic
sidewalks should be preserved. If repair is required,materials should match the
existing in size,color,texture and tooling. Paving or patching of sidewalks with
asphalt is not appropriate. City construction standards for new sidewalks are
available at:www.saratoga-springs.org
6 Maintain the existing width of neighboring sidewalks.
Several years ago a brick sidewalk at 700 North Broadway was removed, the bricks
disposed of, and work started to replace the sidewalk with concrete. The City stopped the
work and required the owner to restore the brick herringbone sidewalk.
112 Spring Strcer, Suite 2113
SarAtoga SpringN, NY 12866
51 -587-5u3(1
The Foundation appreciates that new property owners are making an investment to
improve their home. However, the Foundation has concerns about the removal of the
brick walkway, a character defining feature of the property. It should have been
preserved and repaired as needed per the Historic Review Ordinance and Design
Guidelines. While blue stone has been historically used for sidewalks and walkways
within historic neighborhoods in Saratoga Springs, including North Broadway, the stones
have been large single stones, not a combination of smaller stones.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
mizobAir, ppt:itt
?"497700.--A44064
Matthew E. Veitch Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Michael Kisber, Owner
Grasshopper Gardens Inc., Agent
Bradley Birge, Administrator of the Office of Planning and Economic Development