HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220678 16 MacArthur Garage Demo & Renovation Review Response SARATOGA
ASSOCIATES
Landscape Architects,Architects,
Engineers, and Planners, P.C.
October 7, 2022
Derek Hallquist
16 McArthur Drive
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 16 McArthur Renovation-Zoning Board Response
Dear Derek,
I want to address the questions/concerns that the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board with the submission for your
renovation of your home at the address above. As I understand it, the following are the items in question:
1. Second floor windows facing the adjacent neighbor(south elevation): The request is to eliminate the two
windows on that floor, due to proximity to the property line.
2. The board requested that the owner look into considering an expansion of the currently planned addition to
include the entire footprint of the first floor of the existing home. I do not see a record of the reason for
this request.
Regarding the window modification request, the windows were positioned in the current configuration for the
following reasons:
• The Master Bedroom on the second floor would benefit greatly with cross breezes for cooling. This is only
possible with a window on the southern face of the home. Being an urban setting, nearly all the houses in
this neighborhood have windows facing neighbors.
• Section R303.1 of the Residential Building Code of New York State requires natural ventilation equal to 8%
of habitable spaces. The two new windows facing the street alone do not quite reach the minimum
required area, and larger windows cannot be used in this location. The third window completes the light
and ventilation requirements. Perhaps with neighbor approval, this window can be left in the design?
• The new window shown in the master bathroom, facing south/the neighbor can be eliminated without
issue.
SARATOGA ASSOCIATES
21 Congress Street,Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
T 518 587 2550 www.saratogaassociates.com
SARATOGA
ASSOCIATES
Landscape Architects,Architects,
Engineers, and Planners, P.C.
Regarding the request for an entire second floor expansion;
• Early on in the design process, this option was discussed, but since the home was not initially designed to
accommodate a second floor, every window header, beam and structural member would have to be
replaced or increased, including portions of the foundation. Additionally, the following items ruled this
option out:
o Would add much more square footage to the home than was needed or wanted
o Would cost much more to heat and cool
o Would be much more expensive to construct
o Would require the family leave the premises for the 9 months of construction time.
• After a tree fell on the home, insurance funds were available for a small renovation of the area of damage
—the garage. The program and the budget are a direct correlation of the storm damage, and are limited.
Increasing the size of the project substantially as this alternative would do, would greatly exceed the
available project budget, and was deemed an unviable approach.
If you have any further questions, or require additional assistance, please feel free to reach out to me to
discuss.
Sincerely,
Eric D. Whiting, RA
Lead Designer, Project Architect
SARATOGA ASSOCIATES
Landscape Architects, Architects, Engineers, and Planners, P.C.
E: ewhiting@saratogaassociates.com
P: 518-290-4765
SARATOGA ASSOCIATES
21 Congress Street,Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
T 518 587 2550 www.saratogaassociates.com