HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250039 115 Union Ave Exterior Modifications SSPFBoard 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
Sydney Hedge
Preservation &
Program Coordinator
Eileen Scheier
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
January 29, 2025
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Board
City of Saratoga Springs
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 115 Union Avenue- Exterior Alterations
Dear Tamie,
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the exterior alterations at 115 Union
Avenue.
The 1886 Queen Anne residence was designed by prominent local architect S. Gifford Slocum
and is a contributing building to the Union Avenue Historic District listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
The Foundation strongly objects to the proposed column as other Queen Anne residences with
similar porch column spacing throughout Saratoga Springs, including those designed by the same
architect, have not required an additional column.
It appears that the need for this column is due to the poor design of the balcony deck above that
caused water infiltration and significant wood rot of structural members. It is not due to the
original design of the porch, which survived for nearly 140 years. Therefore, the porch column
should not be added.
In addition, it looks as though the proposed porch column would be placed in front of a window,
which is inappropriate. Lastly, there is also no information on whether the proposed column will
have similar decorative brackets as the existing columns. The introduction of a new column may
require changing the proportions of the existing decorative brackets. The Foundation respectfully
requests that the Design Review Board require detailed drawings of the proposed porch column,
including the exact placement of the column and details regarding decorative brackets, should it
want to approve the proposed column.
As a contributing building to the Union Avenue Historic District listed on the National Register
of Historic Places and being located in a qualifying census tract, the applicant is eligible to apply
the New York State Homeowner Rehabilitation Tax Credits to help offset rehabilitation costs.
The Foundation appreciates the owner’s investment and commitment to the stewardship of the
property.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Philip Artt, Saratoga Trackside Condominium, Applicant
Steve Hitchcock, ACW Family Builders, Agent
Susan Barden, Principal Planner, City of Saratoga Springs
Julia Destino, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs 112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org