HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240054 128, 132 Washington Garage Demo & Construction SSPF Letter (2)
Michele M. Funiciello
President
Sheila Sperling
Vice President
Linda L. Harvey
Secretary
Stephen Kyne
Treasurer
Christopher Armer
Tiffany Blair
Steven Dodds
Giovanna D’Orazio
Julia Dunn
James Gold
John Haller
Leigh Hornbeck
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
Sydney Hedge
Preservation & Programs
Coordinator
Marcy Dreimiller
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
April 23, 2024
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Commission
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 128-132 Washington Street – Exterior Alterations & New Construction
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the application for exterior alterations
and new construction at 128-132 Washington Street.
The Greek Revival front-gabled residence was built circa 1830-1848 and is a “contributing
building” to the West Side Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Foundation is pleased that this long-neglected property will receive much needed
investment. The Foundation will not object to the proposed removals if the six-over-six
window of the east one-story rear extension is salvaged and relocated in the main historic
structure.
The Foundation objects to the proposed changes to the existing windows of the historic
main structure. Per the Windows and Doors Historic District Design Guidelines, original
trim details and original configuration, size, shape and proportion of windows as well as
window size and location should be preserved.
The Foundation supports the retention of the front porch. While it is not original, it is historic.
In addition, the Foundation objects to the proposed see-through chimney clad in siding on the
west elevation. It is not an appropriate treatment. Should the applicant want to incorporate an
interior fireplace, brick would be the appropriate material for the chimney.
The City of Saratoga Springs New Construction Historic District Design Guidelines should be
considered when reviewing this project.
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 structure.
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.
• Additions should be constructed so that, if removed in the future, the historic integrity
of the building or its materials would not be irreparably damaged.
• Materials and details should be similar to, or complement, the primary structure.
Historically there were two structures on the two lots that are now 128-132 Washington Street.
Therefore, the Foundation does not object to the proposed east hyphen and addition as it gives 112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org
the appearance of two structures. It also does not object to the immediate rear addition to the
original structure.
Typically, the Foundation does not support attached garages. However, in this instance it does
not object to an attached garage as it understands that the owner has a daughter with disabilities
that require accommodation. Nonetheless, it has significant concerns regarding the mass and
scale of the proposed garage. It strongly urges the applicant to consider reducing the garage to
one-story and/or pushing the garage back further from the street. The Foundation also
recommends two-garage bays rather than one two-car bay.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Lori Sames, Applicant
Susan Davis, S.D. Atelier – Architecture, L.L.C
Beige Berryman, Administrator OPED