HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220129 30 Caroline St 6-Story Multi-Use Building Public Comment 5PRESTAURANT
S I N C E t 9 3 2
May 2, 2022
Design Review Commission
City of Saratoga Springs
City Hall—474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: May 4,2022 Agenda
Project#20220129,30 Caroline St 6-Story Multi-Use Building
Dear Commission,
I am the owner of both the building and Sperry's Restaurant, located at 30 Y2 Caroline Street,
immediately adjacent east to the above referenced project. This letter constitutes my formal objection
to height,scale and directional expression of this proposal,as further defined below. Simply put,the
proposal is out of character with the existing neighborhood and should be denied.
As for height and scale,the applicant relies upon the current zoning as located within a
Transect-6 Urban Core District. However,the fact that such District allows up to a maximum 6 stories in
height does not mean the applicant is entitled to that height. As the Commission well knows, all
applicants must satisfy the requirements that height,scale and directional expression are consistent
with historic form and context of site and surrounding properties. This 6-story proposal is wholly
incompatible with the scale of both adjacent properties,with my building only 2 stories and Hamlet&
Ghost only 3 stories. Caroline Street is a narrow corridor, not the wide Broadway or Lake Avenue where
there are 6-story buildings consistent with scale and context. Even the most recent new commercial
construction,at 68 Putnam Street, is only 4 stories. The applicant cannot cite one example of any
existing structure of their scale in the existing neighborhood, instead asking you to impermissibly
speculate that future development will seek a 6 story build out.
30'%Caroline Street/Saratoga Springs,NY 12866/518.584.9618
The proposed building would tower four stories above my building and built out to our shared
property line,thereby raising the potential issues and damage to my building from water run off from
their eastern wall and roof,as well as snow load. Also, parking remains a concern for many downtown
businesses. With 15 new apartments,and a ground floor restaurant/bar,the applicant has no provision
for even a single parking space.
The proposed design and architectural features of the facade are not my concern. I don't
believe everything needs to be Victorian or traditional design. Variation should be promoted but
extreme differences in mass and scale should be avoided.
I am confident you will fulfill your function to maintain a consistent existing streetscape within
our historic districts. Thank you for your time and consideration herein.
Very truly
yours,
S
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