HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240713 33-35 Caroline Construction Public Comment (5)Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
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To: Julia Destino <Julia.Destino@saratoga-springs.org>; Beige Berryman <Beige.Berryman@saratoga-springs.org>
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Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
SUBMIT COMMENTS REGARDING CITY PROJECTS
Thank you for submitting your comments. Your feedback will be forwarded to the
City's Planning Department and Land Use Board members. NOTE: Comments
submitted later than 12:00 noon on the day before the Land Use Board meeting
may not be reviewed prior to their meeting. All comments will be added to the
project file in the Planning Department.
Land Use Board Design Review Board
Name Robin Baxter
Email Address robinwbaxter@gmail.com
Business Name Field not completed.
Address 182 Caroline St
City Saratoga Springs
State NY
Zip Code 12866
Phone Number 703-343-0073
Project Name 33-35 Caroline Construction
Project Number 20240713
Project Address 33-35 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs
Comments I am a neighbor on Caroline Street, a few blocks east, and walk
past the subject property almost every day. The historic nature
of the blocks surrounding the subject property are profound in
our city. As part of "The Gut", a renowned working class and
minority population area that serviced the hotels and
businesses on nearby Broadway from its earliest boom-times,
its importance to our history cannot be overstated. As well, the
site is close to and in the view-scape of visitors, tourists, and
residents accessing nearby Designated City Landmarks of City
Hall and High Rock Park. Though the application commendably
involves affordable housing and high performance materials,
9/10/24, 9:31 AM Mail - Julia Destino - Outlook
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the importance of this specific neighborhood to the history of
Saratoga Springs requires close attention to all design
requirements and standards. The height, mass, scale and
proportion do not evoke the historic uses of the property or its
neighboring buildings. It makes little sense to compare the
requests to recent construction nearby, but comparison to
historic presences should be required - otherwise, the urge to
higher heights, larger mass and scale, and differing directional
expressions will become self-fulfilling. Please see the attached
photos obtained from a recent Saratoga Springs Preservation
Foundation tour of the area to see that in historic terms, the
streetscape height, mass, proportion, and scale were far lower
and smaller. Lower heights, and smaller mass, scale, and
proportion promote active pedestrian use, a UC Zoning District
intent, which should also be considered in the design review
process. For these reasons, I ask the Design Review Board to
deny the application as stated, and return it for further revision
in keeping with the Architectural Review Standards and Zoning
District intent.
Attach Photo (optional)Screenshot 2024-09-09 at 9.45.48 PM.png
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9/10/24, 9:31 AM Mail - Julia Destino - Outlook
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