HomeMy WebLinkAbout20231041 153 Van Dam Exterior Modifications SSPF LetterBoard of Directors
Michele M. Funiciello
President
Sheila Sperling
Vice President
Linda L. Harvey
Secretary
Stephen Kyne
Treasurer
Chris Armer
Tiffany Blair
Steven Dodds
Giovanna D’Orazio
Julia Dunn
John Haller
Leigh Hornback
Vincent LaTerra
Patty Morrison
Samantha Nass
Michelle Paquette-Deuel
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis
Jason Thomas
Roger Woody
Maddy Zanetti
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Staff
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Nicole Babie
Membership & Programs
Director
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
February 6, 2024
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Commission
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 153 Van Dam Street – Demolition and New Construction
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the application for the
exterior alternations and new construction at 153 Van Dam Street.
The house at 153 Van Dam Street is located in an Architectural Review District
and is a “contributing building” to the West Side Historic District listed on National
Register of Historic Places. The National Register nomination identifies 153 Van
Dam Street as a “2 story flat roof wing added to front of 1 ½ front gable.” Over
times, the house has had a series of additions over the years, including the most
recent large, two-story rear addition. See attached.
While the site is located in a Local Architectural Review District, the Architectural
Review Ordinance and the Historic District Design Guidelines for New
Construction should be considered.
Per the New Construction Historic Design Guidelines for Additions:
• Building additions should not look as though they are original to the historic
building. They should be distinct from, and identifiable, as an addition to
the historic building. Stepping down the roof line or stepping back from the
primary façade may achieve this.
• An addition should be smaller in scale than the original building so that it
does not overshadow the existing building. It should complement the
original building’s roof form, massing, floor heights, proportion and
window and door fenestration.
• An addition should be located where it is least visible and designed to
minimally affect the perception of the original structure.
• Additions should not obscure, damage or destroy the character-defining
features of the primary building or streetscape.
• Materials and details should be similar to, or complement, the primary
structure.
The Foundation does not object to the proposed removal. However, the proposed
addition will be highly visible from the public right-of-way. The Foundation is
concerned that this addition combined with the most recent two-story rear addition
will overshadow the original historic building. Also, it has concerns with a porch
112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org
roof being constructed over the bay, which no longer retains its center window.
The proposed fluted column for the proposed porch is inappropriate. A simpler
post is more appropriate. The Foundation recommends that the windows of the
proposed addition be one-over-one double-hung windows to be consistent with the
majority of the existing windows. Casement windows are not appropriate.
The Foundation also recommends that the applicant remove the existing aluminum
siding, restore or repair in-kind the original wood clapboard and architectural
details, and paint the entire structure a uniform color.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Erin Maciel, Applicant
Amanda Tucker, City of Saratoga Springs
1852 Bevan Map
1994 National Register Nomination—West Side Historic District
1858 Richard Clar Map, #59 Backall
1876 Louis H. Cramer Map
1889 Sanborn Map
1891 Sanborn Map
1900 Sanborn Map
1900 Corrected to 1954 Sanborn Map