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Home My WebLink About20240752 76 Walton Second Floor Addition SSPF LetterBoard of Directors Michele M. Funiciello President Chris Armer Vice President Linda L. Harvey Secretary Stephen Kyne Treasurer Andrew Bauch Tiffany Blair Steven Dodds Giovanna D’Orazio Joseph DeLeva James Gold John Haller Leigh Hornbeck Alex Kammler Vincent LaTerra Samantha Nass Michelle Paquette-Deuel Dorothy Rogers-Bullis Sheila Sperling Jason Thomas Roger Woody James Kettlewell emeritus Staff Samantha Bosshart Executive Director Nicole Babie Membership & Programs Director Sydney Hedge Preservation & Programs Coordinator Eileen Scheier Administrative Assistant Patricia Herrick Bookkeeper October 8, 2024 Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair Design Review Board City Hall 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 RE: 76 Walton Street – Exterior Alterations & Addition Dear Tamie, The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has reviewed the application for exterior alterations and an addition at 76 Walton Street. The house at 76 Walton Street is a contributing building to the West Side Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the Sanborn Maps, it was built between 1884 and 1889. It is a late Italianate style residence with Queen Anne influence. Character-defining features include the asymmetrical roof with decorative brackets, chimney, square tower with bell tower roof, varied wall textures, one-over-one windows with brick crowns, entry porch, and paired front doors. Per the UDO, Article 13, Section H. Historic Review Approval Standards: 1. Historic Review a. Preserve Rather Than Remove Distinguishing original features of a structure or site are essential to the historic quality and character of that site. Distinguishing original qualities or character of a structure, site, and/or its environment must be preserved and protected to the maximum extent possible. Destruction or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural feature should be avoided. b. Repair Rather Than Replace Distinctive architectural features that characterize a structure or site must be repaired rather than replaced whenever possible. If replacement is necessary, the replacement materials should match the original in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. e. Compatible Contemporary Design Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties may be encouraged provided it does not destroy significant historical, architectural, or cultural material and is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the site or surrounding neighborhood. Incompatible alterations shall be discouraged. The Historic District Guidelines should be considered when reviewing the application: Doors • Every effort should be made to preserve original or historic doors as well as the associated functional and decorative features including door frames, sills, heads, jambs and moldings. Do not alter/enclose important architectural features such as existing sidelights or transoms. • The location, size and shape of original or historic doorway openings should be maintained. • Relocating or altering an original door opening is discouraged, particularly on a primary façade. Porches • Every effort should be made to preserve an original or historic porch including the original size, design and materials. Demolition of an existing historic porch is to be avoided. 112 Spring Street, Suite 203 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 587-5030 www.saratogapreservation.org • A porch and its elements, replaced due to severe deterioration, should match the original in size, shape, rhythm, dimensions, material and quantity. Duplication is preferred. Keep original elements to use as patterns. If duplication is not possible, try to locate features at an architectural salvage location. Windows • Maintain original trim details and the original configuration, size, shape and proportion of windows. • Original window size and location should be preserved. Do not replace units that alter the original size of the window opening or trim detail. • Replacement windows should match the existing in material and design and should be based on historic evidence. Chimneys • Chimneys are a visible character defining feature of a house. Many have decorative features that substantially contribute to the overall design of the structure. • Existing chimneys should be maintained. Removing a historic chimney in good repair is strongly discouraged. New Construction - Additions • 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. • Additions should not obscure, damage or destroy the character-defining features of the primary building or streetscape. The Foundation does not object to the proposed removal of the rear addition, which was historically a porch that was enclosed after 1954, nor does it object to an addition being constructed. The Foundation’s primary concerns are related to preserving the existing historic features – the paired front doors and trim, the front entry overhang, decorative brackets, the wood shingle cladding in the gables, and the existing brick sidewalk. The Foundation understands that nearly all the windows have been replaced and does not object to the proposed replacements. However, the remaining historic gable windows should be preserved. The building is eligible for state and federal rehabilitation tax credits, which may help to offset the costs associated with the rehabilitation. The Foundation objects to the proposed brick porch and landscape walls. It is not in-keeping with the style of the house. The deck of the porch and its stairs should be made of wood, which is historically appropriate. The Foundation also objects to the removal of the historic first floor window opening on the west façade. In addition, it does not support the proposed addition of a dormer and round window on that façade. The Foundation also does not support the west brick gable of the south façade being clad with fiber cement nor the round window. The window fenestration of the addition should be centered below the gables. The Foundation appreciates the significant investment the owner plans to make in the property. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this application. Sincerely, Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart President Executive Director Cc: William Bergman, Applicant Beige Berryman, Administrator of OPED, City of Saratoga Springs 1876 Louis Cramer Map 1888 Burleigh Birdseye View 1884 Sanborn Map 1889 Sanborn Map 1895 Sanborn Map 1900 Sanborn Map 1950 1900 Corrected to 1950 Sanborn Map 1954 Sanborn Map